Well, you have a couple of choices. You can stick with the figures that come with Poser 5-- they are considerably more complicated than Poser 2 as is the program-- and work hard on learning that first. It has a slightly higher learning curve than it used to. But there are plenty of people around her to help. Or you can check out daz3d.com. It would be fun to do so anyway, even if you choose to go with the first option. I'm not sure if Zygote was making the figures for Poser by 2 but Daz is Zygote's heir to the higher quality models, the millenium figures, used in Poser and yes, they are all purchased seperately. I think they give a better frame for painting and posing but only you can really judge that. Take a look in the galleries, most people use the millenium figures but it is still a narrow margin as everyone new to Poser starts with the standard figures in Poser, now Don and Judy, then Dork and Posette-- almost everyone, I bought Mil WomanVicki2 and Mil Man Mike2 before I started because I already knew I wanted the variety. That seems the quickest way to check out the 3rd party-- Daz, who makes the base models, Renderosity Galleries to see how they are used, and them, maybe plunge into the bottomless depths of Renderosity Market place. I would suggest using the categories in the Poser Products Marketplace. You can see the varieties of hair-- you can do your own hair in Poser 5 but it's modeling and not easy-- clothing, and, very important, settings. DO not forget that there is an emormous amount available for free. Before you buy anything-- except the Millenium figures-- check the many Free Stuff places, I cwould recommend here, Runtime Dna, and 3D Commune as having great freebies. Also Lannie's 3d Modelworld and Sams3d for sets and animals. Then there are the subscription areas Poser World is the first that comes to mind, that for a small fee has a great deal of value. There's no lack of third party content, there never has been. Welcome to posing, again. Emily