Posted by Mindy: 
Hello everyone. I went to an interview with an agency in Scottsdale, AZ and they said that my pictures needed to be "stronger", now on a photographers point of view, what exactly did they mean by "stronger"?

I need to know so I can do some more TFPs and also pay photographers to get stronger photos for my portfolios.

I am also looking to do some tear sheets to put into my portfolio. Anyone wanna help me on that one?

Thanks,
Mindy

First I just want to say that you are in the right mindset in that you are willing to pay for good photos. Too many models make the mistake of only doing TFP and working with poor photographers. My advice would be to find a photographer in your area that you like by searching on here and maybe on www.onemodelplace.com.  Meet with them and look at their book to see the quality and also to see if you would feel comfortable working with them. If they don't offer TFP then ask what their rate would be for what you need. Headshots, stylized photos etc.
Also, if any of the agencies ask you for money, go to a different agency.

Posted by Kevin Palmer: 

Posted by Mindy: 
Hello everyone. I went to an interview with an agency in Scottsdale, AZ and they said that my pictures needed to be "stronger", now on a photographers point of view, what exactly did they mean by "stronger"?

I need to know so I can do some more TFPs and also pay photographers to get stronger photos for my portfolios.

I am also looking to do some tear sheets to put into my portfolio. Anyone wanna help me on that one?

Thanks,
Mindy

First I just want to say that you are in the right mindset in that you are willing to pay for good photos. Too many models make the mistake of only doing TFP and working with poor photographers. My advice would be to find a photographer in your area that you like by searching on here and maybe on www.onemodelplace.com.  Meet with them and look at their book to see the quality and also to see if you would feel comfortable working with them. If they don't offer TFP then ask what their rate would be for what you need. Headshots, stylized photos etc.
Also, if any of the agencies ask you for money, go to a different agency. 

I need to be able to get a job first so that I could pay for the photographers to get me great pictures. And in a rural area like Prescott, it's very hard to find makeup/hair stylists that would go to your location. Unless you know someone, then it's hard you know what I mean?

And thanks for the reply..

Posted by Mindy: 
They wanted a $80 a year membership fee. Plus compcards plus the photoshoot with the stylists.

Give your good money to a good photographer to get good photos

You will get them

Posted by Mindy: 
I need to be able to get a job first so that I could pay for the photographers to get me great pictures. And in a rural area like Prescott, it's very hard to find makeup/hair stylists that would go to your location. Unless you know someone, then it's hard you know what I mean?
And thanks for the reply..

A lot of photographers can arrange to get stylists. I do.  But any agency asking for money is the wrong agency. If there aren't any other agencies in your town then drive to another town. If there aren't any there and you are serious about modeling then work on getting some photos and send them to an agency in NYC or LA. Don't waste your time on any agency asking for money.

Posted by Mindy: 
Hello everyone. I went to an interview with an agency in Scottsdale, AZ and they said that my pictures needed to be "stronger", now on a photographers point of view, what exactly did they mean by "stronger"?

I need to know so I can do some more TFPs and also pay photographers to get stronger photos for my portfolios.

There has to be something behind the images a photographer should do for you. Just posing you behind a seamless paper or on location for the sake of being  outside just shouldn't be the only reason. It's team work at coming up with ideas and working them through before you shoot anything. You'll know when soeone is creative in telling a story with the shots. It has to be more than just taking your money and having you contact sheets-CD or whatever is being done in this day & age! Work with people that can see beyond just taking a pretty picture.

I am also looking to do some tear sheets to put into my portfolio. Anyone wanna help me on that one?

Thanks,
Mindy

Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: 
Lift weights

rofl!

Posted by Mindy: 
Hello everyone. I went to an interview with an agency in Scottsdale, AZ and they said that my pictures needed to be "stronger", now on a photographers point of view, what exactly did they mean by "stronger"?

I need to know so I can do some more TFPs and also pay photographers to get stronger photos for my portfolios.

I am also looking to do some tear sheets to put into my portfolio. Anyone wanna help me on that one?

Thanks,
Mindy [/quote

Look into finding a photographer that you have or can establish creative chemistry with?

Posted by Kevin Palmer: 

A lot of photographers can arrange to get stylists. I do.  But any agency asking for money is the wrong agency. If there aren't any other agencies in your town then drive to another town. If there aren't any there and you are serious about modeling then work on getting some photos and send them to an agency in NYC or LA. Don't waste your time on any agency asking for money.

I completely agree with you, any agency that asks for money should be avoided. But the good ones, and there are ones even in the smaller markets (aka mother agencies). Usually have affiliations with really good experienced photographers, and makeup artists. So my advice to you would be to, find a good agency, and then ask them to reccomend you to a photographer that they have worked with before.Otherwise find a photographer through any of the various sites including this one (this one may not have photographers in your area signed up yet, so in that case check out omp,solomodels,musecube ect.) Anyway good luck, i think you have some potential and i cant wait to see your pics once you have them done with a really good photographer and mua.
PS- I think by strong they mean pics where you are projecting emotion and feeling through the pics, look great, and with a photographer that knows about lighting and setting you up to bring out the best in your features and body...something that says..wow

Posted by ActresM10~Maria: 
It's all you dear..give it your all hun

No.  "Strong" photographs come from "strong" photographers.  It is common sense.  To aquire time from these wonderful photographers, you will want to show them Cash, Check or Charge.  No way of getting around it unless one happens to take a liking to you and offers a test shoot.

Do not insult the "strong" photographers by having the balls to ask for TFP/CD...  That is such ill-form...

Also do not kidnap their first born... Bad idea... It is not cool to kidnap family members.

Posted by Chaotika: 

Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: 
Lift weights

rofl!

Hey... that IS a good one!  ha ha ha...

Posted by Mindy: 
I have. What they said was it was the photographer that needed to take better pictures...and to get a hair stylist and a makeupartist to make yourself have different looks. Something that would come out of a magazine is what the kind of pictures that they are looking for.

I have to be "real," no sugar coating here, and this is going to sound a little cruel... Your photos make you look unkempt and frumpy. The agency told you straight out what you need to do...  Why are you asking "How" if they made it VERY CLEAR already?

Don't take this posting the wrong way... You are very pretty naturally - but you do not exude confidence in your images nor do your photos advertise your best qualities.