Forums > Critique > I will assess your portfolio's dollar value

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

My assessment will also encompass your profile and perhaps even your website in giving a portfolio dollar value via Los Angeles professional photography standards for models and photographers. 

I'll also throw in a critique of the portfolio and of some photos.

Beware: you're now about to enter the land of snakes and liars and a honesty that slices people to the bone. 

$0 You'll never make it here award. It means that your work couldn't sell in Los Angeles.
$500 Homeless-stop-begging award. It means that your work would have a tough time doing well here and you might become homeless. Come on, you're homeless, admit it.
$1000 Stop doing crack and meth. It means that you may have one really good shot in that portfolio, but, baby, you're in trouble.  Your car is about to get repossessed. See, sleeping in your car is not fun when they are towing you away. Put the pipe down!
$5000 Part-timer.  It's great-that-you're-keeping your day job-award. You can do this part-time and you may be doing it part-time. You can pick up a wedding shoot once in a while or get model work for a small boutique.
$10,000 Maybe you've-got-steam award. Still part-time but starting to occasionally dazzle. But can you award new tires. The roads are tough on cars here.
$20,000 old pro but come here and you would starve if you went full-time. Be safe, stay where mediocrity pays.
$40,000 GOOD:you're good, but we are flooded with good and how can you become great is the burning economic question.
$60,000 Photographer and model: You're-almost-a-monster-now-Award.  Also: Model GWC camera model full-time. Photographer: The studio rental is eating you alive. Everything is eating you alive. You're almost very good. If you don't become great the sheriff is going to kick you out of the house. The foreclosure notice is in the mail.  If you're a model, and you get this rating, you're probably working with a lot of GWC camera models and you have to do better than this.

$100,000 Shark alert! Oh my God, you could eat anyone alive it seems but still you're not elite. You're making the cash but for how long? You're not quite a flavour, but you're eating well for now.

$250,000 Baby, you're-a-star-award. Photographer: There are sharks all around you. They want what you have got, that luminous glow, that spark, and they want to steal your gear and have you teach them for free how to use it. Model: Bank, baby, bank. You're talented, extraordinary. And in two years it could be over.

I'm going out to shoot a location for research. When I get back I'll give out these wonderful loving awards. Welcome to the Jungle.

Jul 03 12 01:52 pm Link

Model

Kate Victoria

Posts: 45

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sure. Love to hear your opinion please.

Jul 03 12 02:04 pm Link

Photographer

Bek Ruszin

Posts: 6028

Buffalo, New York, US

Why not?  I'm interested in what you think.

Jul 03 12 02:06 pm Link

Photographer

Dan K Photography

Posts: 5581

STATEN ISLAND, New York, US

I want to live in Beverly Hills. I am still looking for black gold. What do you think?

Jul 03 12 02:08 pm Link

Model

Lakin S

Posts: 308

Ashland, Kentucky, US

So how much am I worth? wink

Jul 03 12 02:11 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

Kate Victoria  wrote:
Sure. Love to hear your opinion please.

$5000 Part-timer.  It's great-that-you're-keeping your day job-award. You can do this part-time and you may be doing it part-time. You can pick up a wedding shoot once in a while or get model work for a small boutique.

I thought your portfolio showed promise for $60,000 as I saw some imagination and good wardrobe.  I think you should gear towards GWC cameras if you come to Los Angeles. You might have to do nudes here. But right now that portfolio doesn't give you full-time possibilities, here. Keep it at.

Jul 03 12 02:11 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

Bek Ruszin wrote:
Why not?  I'm interested in what you think.

$10,000 Maybe you've-got-steam award. Still part-time but starting to occasionally dazzle. But can you afford new tires?. The roads are tough on cars here.

You could possibly make it as headshot photographer here but you need more and better headshots with less photoshop.  I think you can light them well enough.

You're nudes wouldn't sell well but there was one shot, the butterfly one, that indicated that you could be very creative. That's the direction you want to go here. San Fernando cranks out a lot of porn so people want very creative and provocative dazzling nudes if they are going to collect you.

Jul 03 12 02:18 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

Dan K Photography wrote:
I want to live in Beverly Hills. I am still looking for black gold. What do you think?

$40,000 GOOD:you're good, but we are flooded with good and how can you become great is the burning economic question.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 0#26428940 18+

This implied shot kicks you off at $40,000 but kid, you really need to stop going slow because the rent is due. They are knocking on the door. Hide.

That shot is worthy of a model’s book and indicates that you might make it here. For a while.

Jul 03 12 02:23 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

Lakin S wrote:
So how much am I worth? wink

$20,000 old pro but come here and you would starve if you went full-time. Be safe, stay where mediocrity pays.

I was stunned when I look at your portfolio, particularly as I read your interesting and intriguing profile. Maybe you're not sure what to put in your portfolio or your best photos are tied up in magazine and photographer rights.

You have a lovely face. For Los Angeles you need a lot more edge in that portfolio and
while I thought this shot https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#28953216 was kind of interesting, but it didn't blow me away. Again, I am troubled by almost the cognitivie dissocation I experienced reading your marvellous profile and then the portfolio. You're a promotional model and you must be great to work with, but in L.A. image is everything.

Jul 03 12 02:31 pm Link

Model

BellaStacie

Posts: 373

Hollywood, Florida, US

Tell me what ya think!!

Jul 03 12 02:31 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

I'm off to go location scouting. I'll be back in about four hours.

Jul 03 12 02:32 pm Link

Photographer

A N D E R S O N

Posts: 2553

Rockville, Maryland, US

Me please!

Jul 03 12 02:33 pm Link

Photographer

James Andrew Imagery

Posts: 6713

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I like this...creative.  Go for it.  I can take it.

Jul 03 12 02:33 pm Link

Photographer

JAE

Posts: 2207

West Chester, Pennsylvania, US

Fun topic.  Let's see how broke I'd be smile

Jul 03 12 02:34 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

StacieMaria wrote:
Tell me what ya think!!

$10,000 Maybe you've-got-steam award. Still part-time but starting to occasionally dazzle. But can you award new tires. The roads are tough on cars here.

You got that because of this: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27904349 18 +

For L.A. you need your entire portfolio to equal that photographic moment or surpass it. The camera can love you but you have to love the camera, know your angles, and help photographers by suggesting backdrops that you know really help you stand out. For you, try some photos where you have an open leather jacket for implied. Practice it first, thinking about torso up to head shots and then full-length. Video yourself so you critique the pose and expression. Do that with different looks. And you just might have game for L.A.

Jul 03 12 02:39 pm Link

Photographer

H5D PHOTOGRAPHER

Posts: 3837

Gig Harbor, Washington, US

So am I a homeless bum? Lol

Jul 03 12 02:40 pm Link

Photographer

L Raye

Posts: 5045

Petaluma, California, US

Is it worth more than 2¢ ?

Jul 03 12 02:42 pm Link

Photographer

Ken Pegg

Posts: 1858

Weymouth, England, United Kingdom

Don't worry, I'll convert to Sterling

http://kenp.1x.com/

Jul 03 12 02:44 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

A N D E R S O N wrote:
Me please!

$40,000 GOOD:you're good, but we are flooded with good and how can you become great is the burning economic question.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 6#28444966

That shot could get you on a plane to Paris. You've got to crank it up. We don't care that you're new. Welcome to the Jungle. Book work now. Get better. They are coming for your car. But you've got killer potential.

I have to go and shoot now. I'll return with my fangs fully loaded with venon and an anaesthetic and maybe even some cocktail juice is in there.

Jul 03 12 02:44 pm Link

Photographer

Starsquid

Posts: 356

s-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

and me?

Jul 03 12 02:44 pm Link

Photographer

Joseph William

Posts: 2039

Chicago, Illinois, US

How about me?

Jul 03 12 02:54 pm Link

Model

Axioma

Posts: 6822

Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

curious for sure

Jul 03 12 02:54 pm Link

Model

Zoe Pinheiro

Posts: 90

Los Angeles, California, US

Me please:)

Jul 03 12 02:55 pm Link

Photographer

Eclectic

Posts: 282

Toledo, Ohio, US

Me?

Jul 03 12 02:55 pm Link

Model

Venessa Baez

Posts: 616

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California, US

I'm meaning to update, but check it out anyway

Jul 03 12 02:56 pm Link

Model

Maria Susanti

Posts: 546

Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

curious

Jul 03 12 03:08 pm Link

Photographer

John Serratelli

Posts: 451

Beachwood, New Jersey, US

LOL sounds Fun...

Jul 03 12 03:14 pm Link

Model

The Grace Gabbana

Posts: 358

Santa Rosa, California, US

Let's do this.

G

Jul 03 12 03:17 pm Link

Photographer

DAN CRUIKSHANK

Posts: 1786

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Show me the money!!! ... Or not :p

Jul 03 12 03:22 pm Link

Model

Jordan Bunniie

Posts: 1755

Salt Lake City, Utah, US

This is fun.. smile

Jul 03 12 03:56 pm Link

Photographer

BrandonLuong

Posts: 1016

Los Angeles, California, US

well since I live in LA this matches perfectly

Jul 03 12 05:08 pm Link

Photographer

Images by MR

Posts: 8908

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Yes plz...

Jul 03 12 05:13 pm Link

Model

HEATHER 19

Posts: 1156

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Would be great to know

Jul 03 12 05:17 pm Link

Photographer

Will Tejeda

Posts: 302

Orlando, Florida, US

i'll bite

Jul 03 12 05:19 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

I have returned from my scouting trip. And starting assessments again, now.

Jul 03 12 09:13 pm Link

Model

Keko Maura

Posts: 101

Los Angeles, California, US

Mine?

Jul 03 12 09:21 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

James Ogilvie wrote:
I like this...creative.  Go for it.  I can take it.

$60,000 per annum.  You're-almost-a-monster-now-Award. The studio rental is eating you alive. Everything is eating you alive. You're almost very good. If you don't become great the sheriff is going to kick you out of the house. The foreclosure notice is in the mail.

Here's the challenge for you. But first the layout of the issue: on your website there's no client list and you're not showing a strong interest in fashion work. Bear with me. Yes, that's a pun. Your nudes, implied, lovely, but you need more clothed wonders to break into editorial and fashion. You're a little light on that. The challenge? You need a themed editorial and you're getting close to Vogue shooter status. You can see that the skills are there, but in this town, there are people not quite as talented as you but burning with fire and they will do more than compete with you. They'll ask you your post-techniques and before you know it they've stolen your fire.

You need to start selling people in Toronto on paying for your talents. And you're at the stage where unless it is a conceptually brilliant editorial shoot you don't really need TF unless you're going to do a book of nudes.

It time to start gunslinging for major work. This is the Wild West after all.

Jul 03 12 09:26 pm Link

Model

Sarah_

Posts: 1487

Los Angeles, California, US

Let's see. smile

Jul 03 12 09:28 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

JAE Photography PA wrote:
Fun topic.  Let's see how broke I'd be smile

$10,000 per annum.  Maybe you've-got-steam award. Still part-time but starting to occasionally dazzle. But can you afford new tires. The roads are tough on cars here.

Your portfolio has some nice shoots. You have some models that you may like but you should drop them from your profile, even if they like, because you need to just work with top talent. You don't create a fashion profile. A lot of the nudes didn't wow but we are jaded here and are use to women ripping off their clothes, because it's hot here.  If you're going to do a nude think about it deeply so it's not just a model staring and baring her breasts. Notice I wrote: ripping off the clothes. It should be stunning. I should fall off my chair. Bring out the creative expression in them and do some editorial work, which you can mix with some creative implied and nude and you'll shoot up to sixty thousand fast. In a couple of years you could hit the hundred thousand mark but it's time to ramp up the portfolio, otherwise you won't be able to afford tires.

Jul 03 12 09:37 pm Link

Photographer

LA StarShooter

Posts: 2731

Los Angeles, California, US

H3D PHOTOGRAPHER wrote:
So am I a homeless bum? Lol

250,000 per annum.  Baby, you're-a-star-award.  There are sharks all around you. They have even stolen your images from your MM portfolio you sadly inform us. That's because you're great. Yeah, yeah, yeah.  They want that luminous glow, that spark, and they want to steal your gear and have you teach them for free how to use it. Your client list is extraordinary but not quite up to the extraordinary talent you demonstrate. I saw only one photo that I thought had a little excessive photoshop but you're strength is that you have such a strong range.  You can shoot men in a heroic, epic way. You know about backlighting the boys. And women! You are their poet with camera.

Jul 03 12 09:49 pm Link