You will find a number of valid reasons, why people want to get a model portfolio, prior to approaching a model agency i.e. to gain an advantage by showing the model at thier best.
Other models choose to send only snap shots. These should be in focus and clear and give the agency an idea about both the body shape and face.
Most potential models who shell out for a portfolio do so by paying one photographer to shoot them in multiple outfits and with different make up and hairstyles. In this way, they endeavor to remake the appearance that a professional working model might posses in her portfolio.
However, you will find that the portfolios of professional models are shot by various photographers, all of them possessing very unique and distinct styles so in reality this is hard to achieve but not impossible.
Snap shots allow the agent the chance to visualize how much superior you could look in professional photos. You may take away this opportunity if you take a model portfolio of professional photographs and the agents do not like them. In the same way, model scouts love the sense of professional prestige and excitement that arrives with discovering the "next big name".
You may look less fresh and new to modeling, by giving professional shots of yourself.
