MurphyMurphy Studios wrote:

Jason.... lets not confuse the terms.... "working for a newpaper" is not "commercial work" in the context of this thread..

I guess I'm using the term improperly. I'm used to thinking "commercial" in terms of advertising, since I'm in TV.
To clarify: I supposed I'm thinking more along the lines of the ads in the papers and magazines. Now, with mags, I'm sure the primary contact is going to be the art director. And I realize a lot of newspaper ads are put together on the outside by graphic artists and ad agencies. Hmm... newspapers may not be the best first attempt.

So, if I'm going to approach an ad agency...

Michael McGowan wrote:
One of the reasons i know there aren't any agencies worth being called that near me is that the model books from the locals all look like the list of mistakes offered by the OP.

A main reason that REAL commercial print portfolio pictures are usually not available as TFP is that there's a lot of work to do them right. But photographers generally don't get to "show off," either. This is where the needs of a photographer's portfolio and a model's diverge.

Any picture that looks like a photographic tour de force is probably not useful. But clients like to see the wow factor in a photographer's portfolio. So, it's smart to find a commercial shooter and pay him or her if you have to to get the clean, clear shots needed.

Oh, and headshots are also vital for actors. One of the most accomplished (and well-paid) photographers in Hollywood does almost nothing but headshots. He'll do actor AND commercial stuff.

Good luck to all those trying to develop commercial print ports. That may be the most challenging of all the portfolios to get right. Having a good agency to direct the development, of course, would be best.

The GURU of Photography, I needed this info.

Thanks a Million

TXPhotog wrote:
Finally, although most of the time the friendly, happy, approachable shot is desirable, there are times when you need to do something different.  I did this shot for a character model who used it to great success:

Didnt bother reading the rest of this thread but isnt that the guy from "Devils Rejects"?

MelissaLynnette LaDiva wrote:
Bump.

Thanks for bumping this. I never would have found this if you didn't. The best thread I have seen on MM so far.

TXPhotog wrote:
I did.  It's called www.newmodels.com

Lifestyle-commercial images typically make me gag, but the info is very welcome & very useful.
I'm ordering your book today, time i did. And got straight info about all this, with illustrations.

Dave Wright Photo SF wrote:
I miss Tx.

Definitely agree!

Dave Wright Photo SF wrote:
I miss Tx.

I miss him more than you do. 

Dave Wright Photo SF wrote:
I miss Tx.

Me too!

Christopher Wright wrote:
And this is the kind of information we will no longer garner because of what the forums and this site has become. Anyone that says he or any of the other pros that have left can be replaced just needs to read the information in this thread to know otherwise.

I wholeheartedly agree!

Christopher Wright wrote:
And this is the kind of information we will no longer garner because of what the forums and this site has become. Anyone that says he or any of the other pros that have left can be replaced just needs to read the information in this thread to know otherwise.

This is very correct.

Christopher Wright wrote:
And this is the kind of information we will no longer garner because of what the forums and this site has become. Anyone that says he or any of the other pros that have left can be replaced just needs to read the information in this thread to know otherwise.

Please stay on topic to the thread.

Bumping in fine but stay on topic please.

This is a great thread and will should remain so.

Thanks,

Mhana moderator.

Imagemakersphoto wrote:
Glad to see a great thread on commercial photography. That is what I do and I have been slammed here on MM for my images not being "Fashion". Many of my images here are from commercial jobs. Some of the models are freelance and others from several agencies here in Minnesota.

Just read through the whole post and there is LOTS of great info here and thanks to TX for the post.

Agreed! Thanks for doing what you do! I hope to work with more commercial photographers soon.

Michael McGowan wrote:
One of the reasons i know there aren't any agencies worth being called that near me is that the model books from the locals all look like the list of mistakes offered by the OP.

A main reason that REAL commercial print portfolio pictures are usually not available as TFP is that there's a lot of work to do them right. But photographers generally don't get to "show off," either. This is where the needs of a photographer's portfolio and a model's diverge.

Any picture that looks like a photographic tour de force is probably not useful. But clients like to see the wow factor in a photographer's portfolio. So, it's smart to find a commercial shooter and pay him or her if you have to to get the clean, clear shots needed.

Oh, and headshots are also vital for actors. One of the most accomplished (and well-paid) photographers in Hollywood does almost nothing but headshots. He'll do actor AND commercial stuff.

Good luck to all those trying to develop commercial print ports. That may be the most challenging of all the portfolios to get right. Having a good agency to direct the development, of course, would be best.