Just uploaded new pool side pics and avatar! Check em out! Also, would like and greatly appreciate some honest critique on how I could improve.

HI.  There are people better qualified than me, so feel free to dismiss my opinions if you want. Sometimes you need that first post and then others will chime in, especially if they disagree.  That said, you need a better photographer.  Some are dark.  Some are light.  One is blown out by fill flash.   

It is good to put bright light behind the subject and then expose for the subject.   That may result in the background being blown out, which is fine, but it is poorly executed if the subject isn't properly lit.  There may be some points of discussion on how much lighter the subject should be.  I suggest finding comparable shots in magazines and comparing them to your images.  Study your poses the same way.  If there is a shoulder pointed towards the camera, try to keep it lower than the other shoulder.  It isn't a hard and fast rule- general guideline, you want your neck to look longer.

I would get rid of the shots that portray you from neck to knees.  You could replace them with "polaroids".  Bikini shot full front, and full side.  Maybe full back. 

The more you shoot with decent and better photographers, the better your modeling will get and the better your port will be.  Unfortunately, it is often the finer points of a pose that separates the shot from the run of the mill.  How your hands is held, shoulder or arm position (avoiding fat arms and hands).  And the photographer has some responsibility.  Not to amputate you in the cropping process.  Good composition and exposure.  As a model you can't control what the photographer does but you can learn to recognize what works and what doesn't.  Read the critiques of other models by other photographers.  It will help you on the finer points.

Good luck!  Welcome to MM.

they are amateurish, and do not do you justice.

Hello Sophia,

Well you have a portfolio so that is a start in the modeling arena, you have photos in your portfolio that do not showcase you as well as they should.


This photo shows who you are, but it lacks polish.
Your head and body are square to the camera, simple fix, place body on angle to camera, do this by moving your feet so toes are pointed to your left [do not just turn your body]


Notice in this photo your body is on an angle to camera, see the dynamics it adds?
Wish you had a beautiful smile in this image.
Details: Hair band on wrist should have been removed


From a modeling perspective, this is the best work on your part; I think I might be seeing a delightful smile [Wish I could see your eyes clearly], wish all of your right foot had been included.

As a fitness model I think you have a good look, just wish the photos presented you in a better light.

I wish you well

ignore people who give you photography advice

;-)

they haven't even bothered to glance at the profile, or they'd see that you are a new model....


I suggest:

slight leaning forward rather than back
using shoulders to create a less even pose
create some asymmetry in most poses wherever you can

look for experienced photographers that can and are willing to coach you and shoot with the best photographers you  can afford

when posting include your face in 90 percent of your images

only pose images where the light and angles are flattering on you

post images that show expressions

post image of poses that suggest your personality and strengths

GOOD LUCK!

There is nothing wrong with shooting on a trade basis.   I doesn't have to be a waste of time. The OP just needs to browse MM to find the best photographers in her geographic area.  Contact them and ask them to test with her.  I know I am happy to do this with most new models.

I also think she should study model poses for the genre she hopes to model for. And practice those poses in a mirror.  Also work on her expressions, perhaps even taking a modeling class.

My opinion would be to shoot with the best photographers she can as often as possible.

I mostly think great models are born and not made. They bring a certain something even to a snapshot.   But other models have to try harder. There are models I have worked a number of times, they were not born to it, but they worked hard and maybe after 5 shoots 10 shoots 20 shoot BAM they "get it" and they become much stronger models. 

I work with many FIRST time models who have never posed as well as never posed nude before. I am always delighted when I find a natural model, like my Photo assistant Audray.   But I also love the challenge of trying to develop a new art model or shoot portfolio images which I often do.  ( yes there is a whole world of clothed images that I shoot but I don't choose to display on MM)


Here is an example of one of my images you guys don't often see

Let's  start with the cliche/truism that "Less is more".You don't need as many pictures as possible in a portfolio, you need the  ones that show the best you.

1. Not a bad idea. There needed to be more light on you, in front. Your expression looks a bit uncertain (understandable) but the photographer should have caught you smiling. It was supposed to be a fun pic, right? Not a bad pose and you pointed your elbow away from the camera.


2. It's a snapshot, but we see what you look like. Replace soon!


3. Baad snapshot. Look at your abdomen. Arms and legs amputated.


4. Duplicate of #1.

5. Better expression but not a better photo. Your photographer was taller than you, so he shot down giving an odd perspective. Again, the background is brighter than your front, making our eyes leave for the brightest area. You have a mark on your breast that could be mistaken for a wardrobe mishap. It should be hidden so that a portfolio viewer will not mistake it for part of your anatomy. But you'll be making better photos and it won't be in your portfolio long.


6. So bad you wouldn't put it in a family album. Why here?


7. Best expression of the group, unfortunatately, you stuck your elbow into the camera's eye. Your posture is making your abdomen protrude.


8. This is an outtake - dump it.


9. This is sort of "deer in the headlights" "Why am I in the pool" expression.Despite another reviewer's opinion, a tilted pool only means water on the sidewalk  It does not add dynamic, leads the viewer to think "Why is the pool tilted" or "the pool is tilted". Another outtake.


10. Jeez.
11. A snapshot. We see a nice face in a somewhat oversaturated photo. You've got a makeup splotch under your left eye. Your tan is coming out unevenly colored and shaded. Unless you are actually modeling for Nike you cannot use that image other than for your own album.


12. Who's this?


13. OK. Your muscle tone is shown well here.


14. I like the expression, but look at Tom Millard's avatar shot where he commented on this shot in your gallery.


15. This would have been fine except for the bad lighting that makes a black blob of your shirt and nearly obliterates your face. You did a good job.posing and good expression.


16. Too small. Good pose, cut off foot. Here, you make the diagonal, not a tilted horizon.


17. Who's this?


18. Again, who's this? And, again, you may want to work for Nike but you don't get to use their logo until you do.
Nice quads.


19. Very nice shot. lovely smile.The hair is great. The top loses your figure and arm musculature. Get rid of the logo - see above.


20. Worth waiting for. Good lighting, nice expression, we see your figure. Even the colors work.


21. OK Wonder woman.Nit picking - shirt is really wrinkled. Not a nit pick -highlight and shadow on nose really emphasizes it. A slight turn of your head towards the camera would have fixed that. By the way, bright neon pink shoes distract the eyes from everything else.


Keep learning poses and expressions. Take a hand mirror outside and see how outdoor light affects your features from different angles. Do same inside. Use full length mirror to show how postures look. Research poses.

All the best and have fun.

You're into fitness and sports and appears you would like to pick up work in fitness modelling. None of the photos you have chosen to post will be likely to get you there. It's more likely that they are hindrances.

On this site people will tell you to look for better photographers.

You have poor presentation skills and while you're fit you're competing with some excellent physiques.

It's more useful for you to see someone who scores magazine editorials in fitness magazines so you can educate yourself:

Here's a pinterest of a fitness model who picks up work: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/6192518216243046/ of
Ana Delia De Iturrondo

If you want to be major you need to put poses and expressions in that rock. If you have to do your own makeup and hair to start building up a powerful portfolio do so. But make sure it is excellent.  If you have to tell photographers what you want do  tell them. Leaving nothing to chance. So far you have gambled time, wardrobe, and hair and makeup and manicures, fueled by euphoria on a totally useless endeavour.

Life will nuke your euphoric dreams if you don't present powerful images of yourself.  It's that cruel and simple.