Forums > Critique > Serious Critique > Portfolio for testing with agency models

Photographer

Anne Le Monde

Posts: 11

London, England, United Kingdom

Hello all... I'm thinking of contacting agencies regarding testing with their new faces. To give you an idea of my goal/style/intention, my ideal outcome would be to eventually shoot lifestyle editorial and later on high fashion, Vogue Italia.

Do you think my portfolio is enough right now to convince agencies they should send their llamas over? If not, do you have any idea what I should work on?

From your experience, what else than the portfolio is important when getting in touch with agencies? Please answer if you have tried doing this yourself, whether you failed or succeeded :-)

Thanks in advance, any critiscism is ok...

Oct 21 12 10:23 am Link

Photographer

The Gross Bite

Posts: 3966

Lansing, Michigan, US

Anne Le Monde wrote:
Hello all... I'm thinking of contacting agencies regarding testing with their new faces. To give you an idea of my goal/style/intention, my ideal outcome would be to eventually shoot lifestyle editorial and later on high fashion, Vogue Italia.

Do you think my portfolio is enough right now to convince agencies they should send their models over? If not, do you have any idea what I should work on?

From your experience, what else than the portfolio is important when getting in touch with agencies? Please answer if you have tried doing this yourself, whether you failed or succeeded :-)

Thanks in advance, any critiscism is ok...

Nope...

Where are the tight head shots model's need? Where are the full length standing shots? Where are the 'story' shots that tie various disparate elements of fashion together? Where are the fashion shots that show off the clothes, accessories, lifestyle, etc.?

Just my opinion.

Oct 21 12 08:39 pm Link

Photographer

Anne Le Monde

Posts: 11

London, England, United Kingdom

All good, thanks for pointing it out!

Oct 21 12 08:51 pm Link

Photographer

AJ_In_Atlanta

Posts: 13053

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Markets differ in what they like, someplace like NYC it's a lot of studio shots while someplace like L.A. wants outdoor. 

So assuming you get the general feel right for your market you are a step closer.  As was already mentioned your images are not useful for an agent selling a model.  Most do not want over stylized images, simple clean shots that show off the model without being too glamour.

I actually have an entirely different book I show to agencies then the book I show to clients for just this reason.  Agencies want good stong but sometimes boring images IMHO; It's best to really look at the agencies in your market and see what they feature.  Shoot that and then approach them.

Oct 21 12 08:54 pm Link

Photographer

AJ_In_Atlanta

Posts: 13053

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Oh and loose those last few images for an agency portfolio (OK loose the last one regardless)

You have a few good faces but some do not look like agency models, you need to show you know what a model looks like.

Oct 21 12 09:02 pm Link

Photographer

Matt Forma

Posts: 373

Denver, Colorado, US

Great advice ^

Oct 22 12 10:49 pm Link

Photographer

Anne Le Monde

Posts: 11

London, England, United Kingdom

Thanks everyone!

Oct 23 12 07:15 pm Link