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Companies who want to make a connection with the people they are advertising to.  I mean, overly pretty people can't hurt in most situations, but in some, they can.

All of my models are real people - they have other jobs.  I do ok.

Around here, agencies won't work with you either without paying an arm and a leg.  Another way that contributors can keep costs down is to use "non-pro" models.

You don't need to go through traditional agencies for professional models. You can try ModelMayhem.com and seek experienced models.

I used some MM models. Most of them are flakes Sometimes you'd get lucky and get someone who can actually show on time and remember some of the instructions, but that's rare.
I also use "part-time" models that have other jobs. These people don't usually have aspirations to get an exclusive contract with some brand (in which case being on stock agencies can hurt). So I guess it'a a matter of getting lucky - finding good models that agree to do stock and being able to afford them. Yuri himself was very lucky to have a beautiful photogenic girlfriend when he was starting out:)

In the search criteria just seach for experience paid only models, that should avoid flakes.

One suggestion, stop using models and start uses actors.

I think this is one of the best bits of advice here.  The problem with experienced models is they have the habit of looking and standing like a model.  You want people to look like people doing stuff.. not like a perfume model pursing their lips and sticking their hips out to the side.

Many of Yuri's models are also his friends.. he hasn't used pro models exclusively. .. and on a side point, what is a pro model?  Very very few people make a living as a model and if they do I could almost guarantee they wouldn't do RF stock work.  They would have to much more careful about where and how their image is used, it is their livelihood.  The models you are going to get for RF stock are models that generate their income from something else and do modeling as a hobby or for fun on the side.

but I agree, getting good models really does make a difference.  I have had some good luck on ModelMayhem.  About 1 in 20 models I am really happy with and use again. Paying for models for their first shoot (when you don't know how good they are) is just part of the cost of doing business.  I double the rates for models that I use a second time and know are good and work well for stock.  The model agencies I have called simply don't want to work with a stock photography shoot.

Not really a problem Elena, since most actor are not working actors.    I post notices in acting schools in my area and have no problem filling spots. At this point I started to turn away people. Give it a try!

You know one way to do it is book a model through an agency for a commercial job, then when they're there ask them if they're interested in doing some stock work in the future, you may come up against the old adage of "my agency tells me not to do stock because it devalues my chances of future work" when you explain to them that the reasons agencies tell them that is nothing to do with any future work appeal but more to do with agencies being fully aware that even models aren't stupid and that they'll go direct to the photographer for future work and the agency loses out on commission. I've got four models I use regularly all recruited through this method.

The vast majority of decent agency models are self employed and will take any work they can get, I agree with what most people have said about MM, I get lots of contact from models from the private sites and generally speaking they all seem to think they're experienced because they've done a topless shoot for one of the lads mags - talk about devaluing your future modelling chances!

As for Yuri, don't worry about what he does, just do what works for you.

Some more very good advice

Excellent advice.
I have found that the best models also know how to 'emote'. ie they are good actors.

I must look into this more.

I've read a lot of posts "I find my models at the gym", but the best real people models that I've worked with are dancers.  Not only do they have gorgeous figures, but they really know how to emote, they follow directions without question, and do exactly what you ask and more.  Oh, and they always bring such great shoes