heres my port-

http://kellymelissapm.4ormat.com/book

feel free to be as horrible as you like, what ones are rubbish and why, how i can improve etc, any that are of a good standard?

thanks

This caught my attention that you might want to address firstly, "Copyright or footer here".

Your imagery is lovely though I do notice a bit of inconsistency in the coloring; some of the skin tones are more orange or magenta (most noticeable in BOOK) while others are too blue (most noticeable in BOOK II).

BOOK and BOOKII show diverse work, as in one has agency style/fashion portraits while the other shows weddings. This might shoot you in the foot SEO wise. Brides to be are generally looking for a specialized photographer with specific experience in wedding photography. Likewise agencies don't want to know what your bread and butter is with wedding photography - UNLESS you shot for a fashionable wedding editorial. I just you set up two separate websites, one for your wedding work and the other for fashion.

In BOOK II the first image and the fifth image look a bit forced. The first is gripping her arm very tightly which expresses to me that this was a pose you suggested that she didn't relax into. In the fifth one she looks forlorn and sad, not delighted on her wedding day. This would work if this were a fashion editorial where sad, pouty and angry faces are desired, but not in this gallery.

Are you ready to start charging? Well, are you? One decides to start charging for their craft when the demand supersedes your "fun time" in said craft. Reality is a harsh mistress and if your personal financial standing begins to suffer for the sake of photography, you might want to put a $ sign on your skills.

To be honest personally I wouldn't pay you, there is a big competition out there and really great, experiences photographers are offering their services, so there is a big choice... I don't really see anything unusual or eye catching in your portfolio, to be honest I probably wouldn't even want TF shoot but then again, it's just my opinion. I think you should practice more before starting charging.

Your avatar is your strongest shot..but you probably know it because you're using it as your avatar.  I like it.  You might shoot more along those lines.

The rest of your book looks amateurish.
Sorry if that sounds rude but the lighting needs more finesse.
Composition doesn't allow the eye to travel around the image.

That said,  you may find people who will pay you.

You don't have to  be great to be in business..but you DO need to be better than your clients..  The problem is you seem to lack experience and that can be a real issue at times as you try to work your way up the ladder.

Have you tried to find work as an assistant working for a fashion shooter? It's a great way to learn the trade...

EDIT: I TOO just looked at your book I & II vs your MM port..
much stronger work.  Nice work...

I'd say go for it..

...and again... Good Luck to you..

My 2 cents, I love consistency but it might help to have a few images featured on your site that are outdoors or less studio based. Backdrops do make you focus more on the subject/model but it wouldn't hurt to show that you can do more than just studio.

^Scratch that, I just saw the Book II option, my tablet put it in another tab for some reason. I agree with the poster that your avatar is the strongest image but I also like the second last image on Book II. Also I can't help but wonder what the second image of Book II would look like in colour?

Overall you seem to understand exposure and lighting very well with the exception of hot spots. Like this one:


Also not a fan of this type of shadow but I can see it is almost a brand for you in your book and wouldn't be surprised if some art director felt differently.

You have a bit of trouble getting models to emote and your outdoor models in particular don't make me want to look twice.

Given those few bumps I'd say, yes, you're ready to give commercial photography a go. The market will tell you if we were correct.

Book 1. Excellent images.
Book 2. Mehh...

I would suggest specializing more in the fashion and get rid of book #2.  I myself as a photographer have the same problem and end up showing wedding photos to show diversity http://www.minthornphotography.com but I know I should specialize because my strengths are in fashion. 

Another suggestion, hire a talented retoucher that is willing to help you develop your portfolio.  Professional non destructive retouching will take your portfolio to the next level.

Organize some more shoots, develop your portfolio a bit more, then you should easily be able to make money.

if people will pay, charge!!

ok then, thanks! some really helpful comments there, appreciated

i know what you mean about separating my fashion port from weddings, think i will just take off bookII and leave the one portfolio whilst i'm building up my wedding portfolio.. it does look pretty rubbish now the small details have been pointed out ha

i have had people in my town (not on mm) ask me my rates but i know i still have alot to learn!

Gotta get those hotspots under control.

I don't have technical advice on your photography like some others do, but from a model's perspective, if you approached me to shoot TF with you, I would happily agree.  I think your website looks quite nice - nicer even than your MM portfolio.  I see that often where I get a better impression of someone through their personal website than MM page.

That said, if you approached me and wanted me to pay to shoot with you, I would turn it down.  Your work is clean and well-lit an well-edited and I won't agree to a shoot without seeing those things, but it doesn't stand out enough from the work of the competition to make it worth paying for.   Other photographers can provide something similar to me through TF.

If I am going to pay, I want to get something really high quality and unique that I couldn't get anywhere else.  I do think your work is good quality, but I don't see what really makes it unique. I don't see your style or your branding or what makes you "you."  If you had to explain in a sentence or two what you try to capture in your work, what would it be?  The pictures seem to be more or less the same: same lighting, some background, a few of the same crops. It would be nice to see range and even though what you have is solid, it could use something more dynamic.

If you also do makeup, why not shoot some closeups of your work?  You don't have anything closeup to show off the detail.  Maybe add a beauty portfolio showing your range from classic, natural looks to full-on editorial?  I would pay for that if the makeup was kickass!  I can't get that from the average (or even better than average) photographer. 

I hope that was helpful!  Best of luck.

If you can charge, then charge. You are talented, and I like your style.

Also, I think you have to delete these:


I think these are boring and these don't show off your style.

Take care of the hotspots, and your editing will be good to go.

Big fan of this, and the first two in your portfolio on your website. Shoot more of those.


(By the way, I've seen much much worse photographers charge a lot, and they are frequently booked, so just advertise yourself. I think you will get jobs.)

From my point of view your skills are very good.
You control lighting, your photos are technically very correct, files are in focus , lighting is good.
I don't see any problems and I like what I see from technically side.


My advise - if you want to be in fashion photography , the only thing which you have to make is to invest in your portfolio.
Try to find some good designer with designer clothes , professional models, make some very powerful files, you can also find some retouchers  which can give you powerful final touch .

Simply make some great editorials on location to show diversity to your potential clients.
Make some composites also which you can offer to your potential clients.

You don't have to worry about your skills , your skills are very good.
Just invest in portfolio and later marketing and you are ready for market.

Hope this helped,
Best,
ST

I will say yes. The photos are nice but kind of boring everything was done against a plain seamless

I think you should start charging.

thanks for all the helpful comments! i've updated it now

http://kellymelissapm.4ormat.com/book

i changed a couple of the photos, any better?