Nemi wrote:
Maybe you should get seriouse about spelling first.

I wanted to say that, and this is what it reminded me of from Family Guy

"I almost didn't, I almost didn't. I thought, 'Is this in bad taste,' but I went for it, I went for it...and I'm so glad I did...HA!"

Anyways, about your "dilemma"...I'm thinking that your port is a bit lacking, and therefore you should not rule out a bit more TFPs before asking to be paid.

Nemi wrote:
Maybe you should get seriouse about spelling first.

Wow, that seems a little on the harsh side.  I can't say it was constructive either.  I've never given a model a spelling test before I've hired her.  And fortunately, I've never had a model ask me to take one either - since my spelling is known to be poor.  Unless the comment was aimed at professionalism and first impressions in which case it says alot. 

I do agree that her portfolio could use some work. Everyone starts somewhere.

If I was advising Karen, I'd tell her to be more selective in who she shoots with, but shoot as often as possible.  She could really work on her expressions and she needs to dump duplicate looking images and go for quality as opposed quantity.

Her question though wasn't around critiquing here portfolio.  She was asking for paid work.  Martin gave some great advise about thinking what sets her apart. I pretty much agree with that with the exception of the doesn't do nude comment.  Unless I'm looking for that, it doesn't matter.  I prefer more postive information than negative. A model that has a list of won't do's turns me off as they come across as .. . . well difficult to work with . . .

I'd suggest she watch the casting calls very closely and pounces on every "right" opportunity.  This of course means that she know and recognizes what that is when she sees it - and is ready for it and really pursues getting that work.

I'd suggest finding some local modeling events or photoshoots and attending them.  She needs to really develope a network.  I always steer work toward known models.

I'd recommend searching for photographers that have a style she likes and pursuing them.

I'd recommend practicing her poses, looks, expressions, etc every day along with working out to keep her figure.

Which all sounds like alot of really hard work.  And it is.

Finally, if she were local - I'd shoot her in a heartbeat.

Best of luck Karen.

Nemi wrote:
Maybe you should get seriouse about spelling first.

This comment rates a solid 3 ha's out of 5.

Nemi wrote:
Maybe you should get seriouse about spelling first.

Oh.  Shoot, I thought it was French!