Jim Lafferty wrote:
You're going through the natural growing pains associated with trying to move up. You may think your work is good enough but... other people will let you know.

You really need to look at your work and then compare it to similarly motivated/designed work and identify the gap between them and just continue to iterate and make your work better. Then reach out to the agencies again once you feel you've moved up in quality.

As for what to send, I just use InDesign to make a sampling that's targeted to their style of agency and the style of work I know I'll produce. 5-7 images is good. Also, if you send a moodboard/Pinterest board that's well defined and adjacent to the kind of work you've already produced, that's helpful. And set expectations on what you'll deliver - two final retouches per look, 3-4 looks is a good start.

Thank you for taking a minute to reply, Jim. I'll use your tip on the number and delivery.

Great portfolio. Freckles are interesting to look at up close.

Certain Exposures wrote:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48653739

Said strictly in the interest of improvement, I would ask what/how you think this image would either be useful to a model or fit into an agency model's portfolio? Again, not to negatively critique the image but its application to the purpose you are aiming for. I don't see this as a model's portfolio image.

Here are a couple assumptions I'm making
-you are aiming for fashion (else why would you be approaching NYC agencies)
-you weren't working with a fashion stylist or make up artist

I would say that the image/model/style is not going to be judged suitable for portfolio development. Unfortunately, not shooting a model type that an agency will be looking for is putting a big hurdle to scale at the outset. Not using either relevant fashion wardrobe or well thought out classic wardrobe is another hurdle. Even working with the outfit you chose, you have to make it look good. It seems like a simple tug of the hem would have pulled out a number of those wrinkles.

Moving to the model, you have to select angles that put the model's best lines forward. The compressed profile of the biceps is not doing her any favors. I would also suggest looking up 'broad lighting vs. short lighting' as it concerns lighting faces. Additionally, I would be mindful of backgrounds or having your model's lines blend into the background for agency submission shots.

It think it is useful to remember that NY fashion agencies are broadly looking at the line of the body. Making a model look longer and thinner is pretty much the purpose. You can have a debate about if that is healthy to society another day. If you are trying to get their attention, shoot long and lean.

Probably not what you are wanting to hear, but I would say worry less about the form of your email until you have images that will have gravity regardless of the presentation. Honestly, if you want a simple and direct approach, show them you can produce clean and simple 'poloaroids' or 'digitals' that make a model look great in tight black t-shirt or leotard top and close fitting jeans against a clean/simple background. That is level one of producing useful images for an agency, but if that gets you access to a model you can still do 'concept' shots after you successfully produce quality digitals for them.

Getting access to relevant wardrobe should also be a priority. I think it makes a huge difference. I was never really afforded great access to wardrobe while i was coming up in NYC. I think it was a limiting factor. If I were advising myself back then I would have said to spend at least as much time developing fashion/stylist/wardrobe contacts as model/agency contacts. I think it would have literally changed the direction of my career, not that I'm unhappy with where I ended up.

If you want to dm a specific question, I can grab some agency links that might be helpful.

Certain Exposures wrote:
I'd like to test with new faces or development agency models in NY eventually. Allegedly, if you send over a couple samples good enough you'll be able to book. I have received a couple replies, but ultimately haven't managed to book yet.

For those of you often getting test shoots with agencies, where would you say I missed the mark on these two specific frames:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48652947
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48653739

Also, how many frames do you generally send along in a first email?

I can only see the second of the two pictures you've linked, with the other one I get a 404 message. It's okay as it goes, but is it a fashion picture or a glamour picture?

If you look at the model agency websites, they always ask prospective new models to send them full length pictures because this is what they need to assess their potential, in terms of their figures but also the way they stand and pose.

As far as models and outfits go, my advice would be to use your own judgement in selecting models and things for them to wear (in that order) because if you develop the ability to do that successfully, the agencies will see it in your pictures.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
Most agencies won't allow their models, even in their new faces divisions to test with photographers the agency hasn't vetted or knows of.  Sometimes being as assistant to someone can help with this.  Making friends with local designers can help because  many will know new models who may not be signed.  Check out the big traveling beauty shows.  Here's one coming next year for NY.   https://www.ibsnewyork.com/.  The shows aren't cheap to go to but but may be well worth it.

Thanks, have you ever attended? The site specifies that this is an event for licensed beauty professionals like estheticians, for example. I feel I would be out of place looking for TFP collaborations with models there.

DonNelson wrote:
I made up a dozen 5”x7” mini portfolios and left them with the bookers that helped me most. Going through my boxes of old photo junk recently, I found one of those and looked at it critically. From 2025 that 1990s work didn’t look all that impressive. But I do think it was helpful.

Thank you, Don.

Dan Howell wrote:
Again, not to negatively critique the image but its application to the purpose you are aiming for. I don't see this as a model's portfolio image.

Here are a couple assumptions I'm making
-you are aiming for fashion (else why would you be approaching NYC agencies)
-you weren't working with a fashion stylist or make up artist

I would say that the image/model/style is not going to be judged suitable for portfolio development.

It think it is useful to remember that NY fashion agencies are broadly looking at the line of the body. Making a model look longer and thinner is pretty much the purpose. You can have a debate about if that is healthy to society another day. If you are trying to get their attention, shoot long and lean.

Probably not what you are wanting to hear, but I would say worry less about the form of your email until you have images that will have gravity regardless of the presentation.

Thanks, Dan. You're right that I did not work with stylist or MUA. In hindsight, I should not have been messaging NYC fashion agencies. Tailoring the images I send to a glamour look for glamour agencies would be a better idea if I had to choose a niche. I'll keep learning.

JSouthworth wrote:
I can only see the second of the two pictures you've linked, with the other one I get a 404 message. It's okay as it goes, but is it a fashion picture or a glamour picture?

If you look at the model agency websites, they always ask prospective new models to send them full length pictures because this is what they need to assess their potential, in terms of their figures but also the way they stand and pose.

As far as models and outfits go, my advice would be to use your own judgement in selecting models and things for them to wear (in that order) because if you develop the ability to do that successfully, the agencies will see it in your pictures.

Okay, thanks for your feedback.

TestShoot wrote:
I think a few people put it gently, and I'd agree. I stopped dealing with agencies to do other types of clients but many things still ring true. Here are a few bits of advice I give to everyone that asks this question if you want to work with higher-tier agencies and not modeling or talent schools.

Thank you for the tips.