Looking for honest critique of my MM portfolio.  I feel like I'm doing some things well but always looking to improve.  Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks all!

I'm up late so I'll just start with a couple photos, and hopefully get to more later.

1) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44574669

The blown out white background makes this look amateurish, as does the way the light is falling on her body. (Look at the hard light hitting her right shoulder.) It would also need some quality skin retouching in Photoshop, but isn't worth the effort due to the blown out whites. I'd ditch this photo from your port.

2) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/40908906

Better than many of the images in your port. Light is good, model is giving a decent enough expression with her face, her pose is decent enough, and the styling is nice, particularly the necklace. The location is a bit ho-hum, but at least does give the model something to interact with.

3) In some of your photos, the models just look unhappy or bored. Maybe they are just newer (more amateur) models, or maybe it was that particular shot, but as you get better as a photographer, you'll realize how very important a model's facial expression and 'emotion' conveyed is. Examples:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/40739117
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/41465545

4) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44573561

The single branch in front of her right eye is distracting. Additionally, the shadows from the plants on her chest is not flattering to the image.

5) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44597372

The photoshop is badly done here. It seems 'blurred' rather than 'cleaned up'. I would advise learning Frequency Separation -- and learn how to use it sparingly... not to overdo it once you know it. Lots of YouTube videos on this.

6) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44574672

Maybe this is personal preference, but I think nudes look a lot nicer when you skim the light across the model's body from behind. For example:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/43680932

7) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44719363

Your headshots of this model are some of your better work IMO. However, all of the images could use *careful* Photoshop. For instance, removing the lines on her forehead, lessening wrinkles under her eyes, a little dodge and burn.

That's all for now. Good luck with your endeavors.

Hi Scott

Huge finger and arm distractions, hair bungee on wrists. Hash shadows from arms. Backs of hands which is a huge do not do. First two images you see the shadows and the eyes closed to shooting the chin not flattering. Nice skin tones. Second image way too much head room and check out the shadows from the left arm and putting hand puppets on suit bottom. I do like the elbow is off to side and the fingers on head are not distracting. Shadow is so harsh showing the bow of the suit on back that is a must not have. Stand model further from backdrop and more even lighting so no harsh shadows for every shot  making success tuff,

Green yoga pants image is working. Toe point and knee off to the side works nicely.

Shooting shoulders dead on with hands, losing neck is not a port image. Just bring out tattoos further out without hands to face, no neck is no good. I get the idea with arm up is to show tattoos on forearm but there are so many ways to do it and make the image pop You show you have the creativity to make the eyes and shadow play. I do like the hair, eye contact, Generally you want a matching necklace with one of a bracelet but I like the bracelet here. I'd have a slight more light on other side of face, but the idea for setting the mood is good,

No rings for lingerie shots, this isn't a gothic mood so you don't want rings or wedding engagement ever. too much shoulder and no neck, hands, rings.  Cool earrings.

Losing neck in next image too. You need to be the models eyes and point this out. Same if they raise their shoulders or arms and appear to hold their breath. Lighting skin tones all working for me. Like the lipstick. Make sure you don't cut off her butt and leave all that extra headroom. Images need equal cropping.

Beautiful model in white, Too much of her hand and headroom. face needs more lighting out front to remove that harsh hair darkness. Hair pose is nice, skin tones nice. Don't like the knee. Do like the elbow on top of knee for it's a great way to remove distractions. I'd have more of the breast curve on the hair bra side. Background is lit nicely, Expression and posture working nicely.

Models should have natural hair tones for success. dont' have to be there own for working lots. Not much you can do except explain for future. Back of hand and hand up do not do. Hair bungees you need to always watch for this and explain to any model adding to wrist anytime during shoot for they generally leave marks too. Too much headroom. Eyebrows need to be drawn in for they are way too thin, Pretty gal, I'd use less photoshop so face looks real. Model is matting and pressing hair and you never want that. Elbows and bent wrists are distractions. Looks like model ha a bra on. It it's in the picture you want detail and attention to looking real and having two curves. Not one unnatural curve

next image too much photoshop and too much  low AF making the background look too unreal. On model right side of face you have a real distracting face wrinkle i'd edit out. Nice friendly mood. Backdrop colors work. Necklaces work. looks like a bra here too and a second top and you never want multi layers without a matching outfit or on beach with cover or say natural light with lace curtains to set a mood or model sitting on chair barefoot with extra cover, Remember everything matters and bras are show stoppers for looking real and natural.  The bra or top too tight causing wrinkles under each arm. Bras do that as do bottoms. Second top is wrinkled or folded on models left shoulder. Eyebrows a mentioned.

Next image the face wrinkle there and I have a model who after 1000 times  or 2000 times keeps posing hair to the camera and that's a do not do. Hair is to add but directly at camera is flat as it is here.showcase the ear and neckline on this side with hair posed on opposite side of face. Hair needs to be posed in every image. Don't want to shoot shoulders. Nice friendly smile in this image and last. i'd remove the hair shadow on models right side too, Nice skin tones except where shadow is on face. AF is nice here.

Shoulder up in b & w and no neck is do not do. No side boob that if you do see thru lingerie you want no bra and if you do a pose you want to do it right and have features and just stop before you see a nipple. I always say do it right or do a theme that can be done right. face has a little too much plastic look from photoshop, body fine, Lots of extra headroom.

Black and white with breast. Way too much plastic look. bad pose, hands distract, arm too distracting, Non confident pose with face leaning down and not setting a mood. Too much headroom and a mirror  to light the butt a little would look tons nicer.

Waterfall shot has nice setting and tones. Models should never have a belly button ring while modeling and that includes gothic. Elbow needs to be away from camera and a models bottom unless nude should always be out of water. You want as many features and curves as you can to make a model look as real as possible if it's in the shot. Framing POV work nicely.

Maroon lingerie rings are a huge distraction, hand should not be near crotch unless nude for cover. Hair needs to be posed and once a model leans the hair needs to be posed on the lean and in this case away from the camera. You have the models privates cut off de-humanizing yet all the extra head room. wrong leg forward, You want leg to camera to the back unless shooting a butt shot. lighting and tones are nice.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/41151366
this is a good use for a cover up or second layer. the head is being cut off by shadow as are the legs, Belly button rings are one of the worst things to have in an image. Blocks a huge feature and they look cheap. Like a Bentley with 15 or more bumper stickers.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/40739117
necklace chopping up her neck. dont want that. Let the model know if something isn't working. Show them in a sample image if they are doing or wearing something in-effective.

All easy changes, that have huge impact for future shoots. Have fun!