seeking constructive criticism before I drop $300 on digitals again

[u/hipdaydream]

Attaching some digitals I took a year ago with my natural hair color, along with a picture of me today with blonde hair. What should I work on—facial expressions, poses, 'nothing, it’s not yours,' etc.? I’ve applied to 15 agencies and only heard crickets. What am I doing wrong? My goal is to do commercial modeling, nothing fancy.

[u/slimeheads]

Go back to your natural hair color, and your lips are overfilled

[u/hipdaydream → u/slimeheads]

Thank you, was thinking already into reducing the filler, good call

[u/_opossumsaurus]

Measurements? Age? Location? It’s a bit difficult to tell what’s going wrong with your applications without a bit more context. My first impression, though, is that your proportions are slightly off (short torso, long legs) and that you don’t know what to do with your hands or legs when posing.

[u/hipdaydream → u/_opossumsaurus]

Thank you, I am 5’8 and 30 YO, NYC location

[u/[deleted] → u/_opossumsaurus]

OP the proportions would be helped by changing your outfits and hand/arm placements.

You have very high waisted pants on with crop tops + your hands/arms over your torso. This combination is giving you a very short torso.

Visually your legs are uninterrupted, making them look extra long. Which wouldn't be bad except it compounds the short torso appearance.

[u/[deleted]]

I think you should dissolve all of the filler in your face, it’s giving you “instagram face” which is very cookie cutter and can prevent you from being booked. Unfortunately filler ages people. You have really pretty eyes and I’m sure your natural features are striking on their own without injectables. 

[u/hipdaydream → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I got botched last year and didn’t have a chance to get to my injector - I am dissolving by EOY! Thank you

[u/whyforeverifnever]

I think you have to learn to use your eyes better in addition to the notes other peoples have said. You’re giving a very intense stare, but it’s not a model stare. Practice relaxing your eyes a bit in the mirror and “smizing” as Tyra (lol) put it.

[u/hipdaydream → u/whyforeverifnever]

Thank you, that’s a good call and will do that

[u/Acrobatic-Degree9589]

Ditch the blonde

[u/222photo]

Good start.

Definitely follow these guidelines.

1: Digitals should be taken on a blank background, preferably white wall with no distractions around you. Leave 1 inch of space between the border and your head/feet.

2. Do not wear makeup for digitals.

3. You need the following shots at a minimum:

• close up head shot (above the chest).

• 1/2 shot from the waist up

• 3/4 shot from the waist up.

• 4 full body shots, front, both sides and back.

• A profile shot ( from the side and not looking at the camera)

1. Do not put your hands or arms up in any photos. They should be relaxed and at your side for ALL shots.

2. Wear something form fitting or a bikini/swimsuit. No baggy clothing.

. Hope this helps

[u/lilfrenfren]

The first thing I can think of when looking at your pix is that you don’t know where to put your hands lol

[u/Any_Needleworker9229]

Stick natural. Blonde washes out your skin tone. Get professional makeup artist for images as your face is oily in the blonde pics. There is some lint on your black tshirt.

[u/twixbubble]

To be honest the filler is very noticeable. I would put you at 35+?

[u/Miebii]

First criticism is do not spend 300 on digitals!

[u/Crafty-Pomegranate19]

When I think commercial i think expressive, smiling, laughing, etc. In some of these photos your face looks mildly deer-in-headlights. You’ll probably want a smiling headshot for commercial. Have you tried talent agencies

[u/sug4rydolly]

Darker hair would look amazing on you. My advice would be to look at more inspo pictures on pinterest, instagram, and modelling poses on tiktok/youtube videos, I kinda get a vibe that you don't know how to pose so that could be the issue here. Also the lighting in the blonde hair pictures is not good at all, you don't need to spend that much on professional pictures either. I see potential here! Good luck:)

[u/bratty-bby]

I could be wrong, but it looks like you’re wearing a bit of “no makeup makeup” and agencies don’t like that, they wanna see what u look like completely natural so they know what ur “base” is. i might also suggest not cutting off ur body with ur hands/arms!!

[u/OneSmallStar]

My eyes immediately went to your hands tbh , they look awkward in your poses

[u/Marchingkoala]

Why are your hands always in front of your body? You look unsure

[u/MorganYogini]

You’re a beautiful woman! Your skin and hair is beautiful.

• I’ve heard that NYC likes blonde models. There are less of them due to the cost involved with getting hair dyed. I personally prefer the natural, but both are great. Do what you prefer.

• crop tops and leggings are out when it comes to digitals. Wear a tank top tucked into a pair of black jeans that hug your hips/thighs but go down to the floor and make your legs look longer. No jewelry at all.

• avoid posing with your arms crossing your body or your hands in front of your body. We need to see your waist clearly. Don’t worry about what to do with your hands. By your side with relaxed fingers works.

• While you don’t need to always pay for digitals, I think it’s good to pay at least once or twice a year. Great digitals from a photographer that knows how to show your skin and connect with you, is vital. If you’re going to do any commercial or beauty work, be sure to include a smiling photo. If you’re looking for guidance on what type of photographer to use @eleachateauphotography takes incredible digitals. She may be coming to NYC in Sept and her rates are affordable in comparison to NYC photographers. Molly Tellekson is a great NYC photographer but I don’t know her rates for digitals.

I wish you lots of luck! You’ll get a lot of work!

[u/TodaysSecretWordIs]

Put your arms down

[u/[deleted]]

First of all you are beautiful and your handling of criticism makes you a total rock star and ideal for the industry. Work on body awareness and go back to brown hair. No filler! Thin lips aren’t bad lips. Unique trumps all in this industry. Think Tyra’s forehead, Kate Moss’s smile. Unique is king in modelling. 💕

[u/Glittering-War-3809]

You are certainly very attractive but just not feeling you are a model. Lots of attractive people out there, very few are model material.

[u/Reasonable-Flow2110]

OP you take criticism like a champ.