Category Archives: modeling

Interview with Arizona Fashion Model Michelle Mousel

Michelle Mousel is an amazingly talented fashion, runway, commercial, and editorial model from Arizona. She frequently works in Los Angeles and is represented by Ford Models. In addition to working with some of the best creative teams in the United States, she has traveled internationally for modeling.

 
Above: Michelle looking amazing on the cover of Nailpro Magazine.
Michelle has been published in several magazines, including: Seventeen Magazine (ad for TIGI in the USA),944 Magazine (ad for Sessy Clothing), Dillard’s (College wear), Runway Magazine (USA), YES Magazine (Arizona), PHOTO Magazine (France), Go Gilbert Magazine (Arizona), Kontakt Magazine(Arizona), Java Magazine, The Bund Magazine (Shanghai), UNIQ Magazine (Las Vegas), Life Dynamix Magazine, Chiffon Magazine, Nailpro Magazine, Beach Magazine, Faslife Magazine, Harlow Magazine, Neux Magazine, AZ Magazine, Impostor Magazine, Estetica Italia Magazine, Sedona Monthly Magazine, St1gMedia Magazine, Eliza Magazine, JETSET Magazine, and many more.
She has been able to land several covers, and has walked in a variety of runway shows, including for Dior.
In addition, she has been featured in many advertising campaigns worldwide.
It is my pleasure to have been able to interview Michelle for this post, and I hope that you enjoy her insights into the modeling world as much as I did.


Above Image Credits: Vanessa Perez (Makeup Artist), Abel Sandate (Hair Stylist), Marcus Hoffman (Photographer)

AVIVA: How long have you been modeling?
MICHELLE MOUSEL: Nearly 5 years.

AVIVA: Have you always wanted to be a model, or did you have other career goals when you were younger?
MM: I wanted to be a Marine Biologist but once I got the idea of modeling in my head I never let it go.

AVIVA: What achievements in your career are you most proud of? (publications, etc…)
MM: Magazine work. I’m always proud of it because I have a tangible piece of work I can go give to my mother. She’s my biggest supporter!


Above Image Credits: BTFL PEOPLE (Clothing Designer), Vaunn Yevo (Photographer), Michael Brent (MUA/Hair), Jewelry (Mai Collections) 

AVIVA: Do you remember how you felt at your first commercial shoot?
MM: My very first job, everything that could go wrong-did! I was shooting for Dillard’s and my clothes hadn’t finished drying, so I left to the job with a damp shirt and jeans, then it was an hour away in which I had trouble finding the location. I didn’t have a nude bra, so I got in major trouble for that. It was still my worst job to date! I was only 19 then and didn’t know anything.


Above Image Credits: (Photo) Tyrone Lavigne, (MakeUp) Eneli Voltein, (Wardrobe) Chanel Rene

AVIVA: Who/what inspires you as a model?
MM: My mom! She won’t allow me to give up and she thinks of innovative ways for me to become better and offers the best advice! She keeps me going when it’s most easy to just give up.

AVIVA: What piece of advice could you offer to models who are just starting out?
MM: Find a mentor! No amount of Internet searches can prepare you for the hardships of a career and no one else will have your best interest in mind. Everyone is out to take advantage of you somehow and you need someone, preferably an experienced model or industry professional, who can offer great advice and really wants you to succeed.

AVIVA: If you could meet any well-known person, who would it be and why?
MM: Jessica Stam. She is my favorite supermodel and it would be so interesting to see what she’s like in person!

AVIVA: Other than your look and fashion model stats, what other factor(s) have been crucial to your success?
MM: Personality. I truly think it’s the biggest factor! Being energetic, happy and grateful has gotten me repeat jobs with clients.

AVIVA: What would you do if you won the lottery?
MM: I would help my parents get out of debt. LOL! After doing luxury things with the extra I would attempt some humanitarian efforts.

AVIVA: Do you have any additional comments?
MM: For aspiring models, having the stats is only a small portion of being a successful model. If you really want to be the best at what you do, be the most fun, optimistic, exciting, intelligent person to be around and word of mouth will take you very far.

 ——————————————————————————————————

I would like to thank Michelle for this great interview, and I wish her all the best in the future.

You can see more of Michelle’s work on her WEBSITE , and check out her business profile on MY HEALTH NATION.

Aviva

Interview with Playboy Model Lauren Vickers

I am very honoured to have been able to interview Australian-born model Lauren Vickers for this feature.


Above Image Credits: Photography by Jessica Abraham, Makeup by Susie Ayoub, Hair by Barbi Ayoub

She has been shooting for over 13 years and got her start as a fashion, editorial, and runway model. As she got older, she branched out into several different genres of modeling, such as glamour, commercial, beauty-and excelled. In addition to modeling, she does TV presenting and hosting.

Above Image Credits: Photography by Marty Lochmann, Hair/MakeUp by Simone Cozens

Lauren’s amazing beauty, attitude, talent and posing skills earned her the title of Playmate of the Year 2010 for Playboy Italia, as well as countless other magazine features and commercial work.


Above Image Credits: Photography by Anthony Adamson, Hair/MakeUp by Tricia Albulario

AVIVA: Have you always wanted to be a model, or did you have other careers in mind when you were younger?
LAUREN VICKERS: I wanted to be a vet when I was young, but I was allergic to cats (!) so I took up my second dream to be a model when I was given the opportunity at 11 years old.


Above Image Credits: Photography by Anthony Adamson, H&MU by Tricia Albulario

AVIVA: What inspires you as a model?
LV: People and their amazing creativity. For the creatives of my shoots – I get inspired by clothes, photos, makeup, colours and textures. Then I look at all the people I admire who are doing so well in their chosen fields and think how I can apply that to my modeling.



Above Image Credits: Photography by Anthony Adamson, Hair/MakeUp by Tricia Albulario

AVIVA: What career achievement are you most proud of? (publications, etc)
LV: There’s a few! Taking the big leap to model overseas, creating my own career path for myself without anyone’s help and of course working up to being selected as Playmate of the Year for Playboy Italia. I’m also proud of the reputation I have built for myself – the many years of hard work have paid off!





Above Image Credits: Photography by Edwin van Wier, H&MU by Linda van der Laan

AVIVA: What do you feel is the most exciting part about being a model and why?
LV: I love that I get to constantly transform into new characters everyday. One day you can be an editorial geisha and the next day you can be an oiled up sex kitten – it’s so amazing to work with people who can take your ideas to another level, I’ll have some incredible work to look back on one day.

Above Image Credits: Photography by Alex Chailan and David Piolé


AVIVA: If you could meet any person (living or dead), who would it be and why?
LV: I would just love to pick Elle Macpherson’s brain to see how she’s been so successful but still stayed so grounded all these years.



Above Image Credits: Photography by Danial Gowans, HairMakeUp by Erin Bigg

AVIVA: What are some of your other passions/interests?
LV: I love an unusual mix of things; fashion, motorbikes and cooking.


 
Above Image Credits:Photography by Stig P

AVIVA: Other than having a great look, what else do you think has been crucial to your success as a model?
LV: You need to learn to build a thick skin for yourself and to take every critique as an opportunity to better yourself. A good work ethic and a level head also goes a long way for your reputation which can win you jobs against other models who are just as beautiful.

Above Image Credits: Photography by Matt Pho

AVIVA: What piece of advice could you give to the aspiring models (who would be reading this)?
LV: This industry can be trying at times, but if you keep at it, do your research, look after your body and embrace each new opportunity with a smile – you’ll go a long way!

Above Image Credits: Photography by Jessica Abraham, Makeup by Susie Ayoub, Hair by Barbi Ayoub

AVIVA:  Do you have any additional comments?
LV: Thank you to everyone who enjoys seeing my work, your support means the world to me and keeps me motivated!

Above Image Credits: Photography by Luca Starace

I would like to thank Lauren for this interview. It was a pleasure! I wish her all the best for many years to come.

If you would like to see more of Lauren’s work, visit her website, Facebook Page, and Model Mayhem.



Above Image Credits: Photography by Luca Starace

Promoting Yourself as a Model on Social Networking Sites


For freelance models, social networking sites are great for self-promotion.
Some sites are more appropriate for promoting yourself as a model than others.  (Please note that this post is based on my own personal experience with social networks).
A few things to remember before joining a social network as a model:

~Your modeling goals.

~Who you would like to meet.

~Why you want to model.

~Be realistic in your expectations.

The biggest issue with joining social networks as a model is that sometimes you will get offers from people that you don’t want to work with, which will end up wasting your time.

Another thing is that anyone can be anything on the Internet, and it is very important to test the legitimacy of every job offer that you get by doing a Google search of the person who sent you the email. You should also Google that email address to see what comes up. Legitimate people usually have email addresses in the format of name@companydomainname.com and not joeblow@yahoo.com (or gmail or hotmail).

Also, remember that legitimate fashion agencies do not send modeling offers via Facebook, Model Mayhem, Myspace, or other networking sites. You have to submit yourself to such agencies, and they have hundreds or even thousands of people like you submitting every day.

Two of the most popular social networks for models/photographers/clothing designers/make-up artists are ModelMayhem.com and OneModelPlace.com. Additionally, there is also Ujena Talent (although there are not a lot of Canadian models/photographers on there).

There are also many websites which attempted to take the design of Model Mayhem and reproduce it. However, Model Mayhem is one of the first, and it has about 2 million members, so if anything, that is the one to focus your efforts on.

The idea of social networks is that you have to be…well, “social”. Which means that you should comment on people’s portfolios, pictures, use the forums (but don’t troll or create drama), express interest in working with people, and add them as friend.

If you join a networking site expecting that people will flock to you like crows to a piece of bread without any effort on your part, you are highly mistaken. These sites have a lot of members, and you have to stand out (in a good way) and be active to be noticed.

Myspace is, at this point in time, pretty useless for promoting yourself as a model. It worked for Christine Dolce when it first began, but that time is done. Now, Myspace is flooded with bands who spam your comments/messages and girls doing the duckface with self-shot pictures saying “Look at me! Add me!”. I have a Myspace account, but I can tell you that I have not booked any work through it. However, it has brought a little bit of traffic to my blog, so that’s why I haven’t deleted it yet.

DeviantArt is good for checking out other people’s work for inspiration and having a large watcher list means that your work gets seen by many people each time you upload something new. Although you may not book high paying shoots off it, it is OK for growing your web presence.

Facebook now allows almost anyone to create a “Business Page” where other Facebook users can “Like” it. (It used to be called a “Fan Page” but I don’t like to call it that). When you have a business page on Facebook, you will get a lot of traffic to your website and/or blog (which increases your search engine ranking, making it easier for people to find you), which can result in more shoots. For example, I saw a huge spike in blog traffic as a result of having a Facebook page, which is just one more place for my photos to get seen.

With a Facebook page, one of the key things that keeps people coming back and clicking on your links/pictures is frequent updates. When I say “frequent updates”, I don’t mean that you have to post every detail of your day on there (it’s not Twitter). One or 2 updates a day is good, or even one every 2 days. When you post an update, and a “fan” likes it, it will show up in all their friend’s news feeds, which creates more exposure for your page.

Twitter is very interesting because you can send out short, frequent status updates, and if your updates are interesting and appeal to the masses, then you can certainly develop a large following. With a large following, there is a greater potential that your portfolio links will get seen and clicked. Don’t just follow everyone on Twitter though. When you are looking for people to follow, make sure that you only follow people who have similar interests to you or who already follow some of the people that you are following. The reason for that is that they are more likely to follow you back.

Then, there are also niche-specific networking sites that can help you move in the direction of modeling that you would like to take. Some examples include sites that are dedicated to fitness models, bodybuilders, fetish models, bondage, and so on. I don’t know much about niche networking sites, although I do have an account on Bodyspace.com, just so I can read all the fitness and dieting tips, and see what’s new in the world of fitness.

In summary, with social networks, you get out what you put in. Just make sure that you are channelling your efforts into profiles that have the highest potential of being seen by whatever your “target market” is. I can’t tell you what your target market is, because that varies between models (and businesses in general). Use good judgement, and communicate with people who shoot/do what you want to shoot/do, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Do you have anything to add? Want me to expand on something? Let me know by commenting on the article.

Aviva

Featuring 17 Year Old Model Julie Caballero from Vancouver


Above Photo By: Mark Guilaran

Julie Caballero is a model based in Vancouver. At just 17 years old, she has worked with very many talented photographers, make-up artists, and hair stylists. Julie understands that it takes dedication, drive, and hard work to succeed as a model, and is prepared to bring her “A” game to every shoot that she is a part of.


Above Photo by Joon Koo

AVIVA: So tell me a little bit about yourself, why you model, what your goals are, how you got started?
JULIE CABALLERO: My name is Julie Caballero and I’m 17, yet I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot at my age. I currently work with Ring Card Girl & Fitness Model (International) & do some modeling for talented photographers. How I got to modeling was from people always telling me that I should get into the modeling industry. I also wanted to make my parents proud of me. I never thought I could model because I was only 5’2″, yet I learned to position myself and make myself look 5’8″. I’ve been rejected a lot in the past, saying I didn’t meet the height requirements and because I was too young. I felt like I wasn’t good enough to achieve my goals. Now lots of photographers want to shoot me and some are waiting until I’m older so I can travel to Toronto and New York to do photoshoots and events. As of right now, I’m hoping to be in Urban Wedding Magazine when I’m a bit older, and Ink Magazine. It took a lot of practicing, time, and effort to get to where I’m at and I’m still not giving up my dream to be an amazing model. I want to prove to everyone and myself that I am good enough and show I have potential to go big. Even though it’s a rollercoaster in modelling I always think good things fall apart so better things can fall together.


Above Image Credits: Photographer-Rob Piazza, Makeup Artist-Marissa Jotie


Above Image Credits: Photographer-Kent Wingerak, Makeup Artist-Faye Smith

AVIVA: Do you have any shoot experience that you would like to share?
JC: A funny thing happened to me in a shoot. While a photographer was taking my photos he decided to use a ring light. This is the light that would put a shadow around you, although brighten your features in the pictures. Every time he took a picture, I would stare into the light and would be practically blind. After 5 shots taken I could hardly see. I put on the weirdest and unusual expressions on my face that I thought would make the photographer mad. It turned out that the photos were stunning. My eyes looked sharpened and focused, my posture was fantastic, and my facial expressions were perfect. Who knew the most awkward moments can turn to picture perfect.


Above Photo by: Mark Guilaran

Above Image Credits: Photographer-Lee Kembel, Makeup Artist-Jenn Little

You can check out more of Julie’s work on her Model Mayhem account.

I wish Julie all the best of luck in all her endeavors! 🙂
Aviva

***Note: Images were submitted by Julie Caballero, and are copyright of the photographers who took them. Answers on this page are the views of the person being featured and not necessarily Aviva (the blogger).***

Interview with Toronto Fashion Model Kelleth Cuthbert


Above: Marc Anthony national ad campaign

Kelleth is a professional model working out of Toronto, specializing in fashion, beauty, commercial, and runway modeling. She is currently represented by Next Model Management.

As a model, Kelleth is talented and versatile, in addition to having a great look. With several magazines and ad campaigns already under her belt, there is no question that her current success is only the beginning.

It is my pleasure to interview her for this post 🙂

AVIVA: How long have you been a model?
KELLETH CUTHBERT: Four years.

AVIVA: Have you always wanted to be a model or did you have other career options in mind when you were younger?
KC: As a child, I vacillated endlessly between being an actress/writer or a veterinarian. After high school, I pursued a degree in Social Work. I remember the first time I ever considered the possibility of modeling: I had just turned 16 and found myself appraising my appearance in the mirror differently one day. I had finally stopped wearing ten inches of chalk-white Halloween makeup a few months prior and had returned my hair to one uniform colour. I remember REALLY examining my face in the mirror (perhaps for the first time ever) and thinking “Interesting…so this is what I look like.”


Above: Urban Planet national ad campaign

AVIVA:What do you think is the best part about being a model and why?
KC: The opportunity for travel is a huge perk of the job. To be able to explore the world (and my place within it) while doing what I am most passionate about it is prodigious.

AVIVA: What achievement(s) are you most proud of? (publications, ads, etc.)
KC: I’m really proud of my campaigns for Urban Planet, Square One and Marc Anthony, as well as my covers for Auxiliary Magazine and Sessions Magazine. I also really loved my spread in the June 2010 issue of Plaid Magazine.


Above Image Credits: Artifice Clothing-Clothing Designer, Eusebia-Wardrobe Stylist, Richard Dubois-Photographer, Giancarlo Intini-Makeup Artist, Kelleth-Model

AVIVA: Other than your look, what else do you believe has been crucial to your success as a model?
KC: In an interview from 1980, Janice Dickinson talks about how it is vital for models to be well-educated. I used to harbour a slight sense of remorse over having pursued a degree at seventeen instead of immediately immersing myself into modeling. It is only in retrospect that I can really appreciate how much my education has actually helped me to bring more to the table as a model. My business savvy and my ability to network (as well as my embracing of social media) have been invaluable. I have developed a nearly unshakable self-confidence and have an enthusiasm for every job I work. I think that the respect that I have for everyone else’s job on set is apparent and helps others, in turn, to respect what I do.

AVIVA: What do you feel is the most important piece of advice to give to aspiring models?
KC: If I had to chalk it up to a single piece of advice, it would be to not fear looking silly. Take chances! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!


Above Image Credits: Alyson Gough-Makeup Artist, PhotoByWayne-Photographer, Decadent Designs-Clothing Designer, Kelleth-Model

AVIVA: Do you have any favorite models that you admire? If yes, who?
KC: My favourite models are mostly those of the 60’s and 70’s: Janice Dickinson, Lauren Hutton, Apollonia, and Gia Carangi. My favourite current models are Lara Stone, Jourdan Dunn and Crystal Renn.

AVIVA: What would you do if you won the lottery?
KC: Save it for my post-model life! Complete my Masters of Social Work! Drop off the face of the earth and write and publish a terribly gauche model memoir! Donate some to charity! Travel! Invest in real estate! Divide the rest between my family.

————————————————————————————
You can see more of Kelleth’s work on her NEXT Models Canada profile and Model Mayhem.
————————————————————————————
I would like to thank Kelleth for the interview, and I wish her all the best for many years to come!

Aviva

What to Bring to a Photo Shoot? (models)

The question of “what to bring to a photo shoot?” is a very common question among newer models on modeling forums/networking sites.

If you are hired for a commercial shoot, usually the client will tell you exactly what you need to bring or they will have the wardrobe, make-up and hair all figured out.

However, if you are being hired by a photographer to work on his portfolio, or if you are shooting for your own portfolio, here are a few things that I found to be useful at shoots:

Wardrobe Items
1. Skin toned underwear(especially thong or g-string). The reason being is that skin toned underwear usually does not show through clothes and thongs/g-strings do not create those uneven lines on your tight skirt/pants that you would get if you wore full back underwear with seams.

2. Swimsuit(s). Go for a suit that flatters your body very well. If you can afford it, wear designer suits. If not, then don’t be afraid to shop around for a suit that is reasonably priced and fits your body type.

3. Dresses/Pants/Outfits. Depending on what the shoot calls for, you may want to bring some dresses and other outfits. Try to bring solid colour outfits instead of crazy patterns, because they are easier for the photographer to shoot. Also, make sure that your clothes are not all wrinkled up.

4. Lingerie. Make sure it fits you well, is clean and preferably not used for anything other than shoots.

5. Accessories. If you have necklaces or bracelets, or earrings that go well with the wardrobe items that you picked, then you should bring them. Accessories make the photos more interesting.

6. Shoes. High heel shoes look great in photos because they make your legs appear longer and thus leaner.

Make-Up (if you don’t have a make-up artist lined up, and even if you do, be on the safe side and bring your own make-up in case the artist doesn’t show up)
1. Moisturizer
2. Mirror
3. Tweezers
4. Foundation
5. Eye shadows
6. Lip stick
7. Mascara
8. Fake eyelashes
9. Eye make-up remover
10.Face powder
11.Brushes/cotton balls/q-tips
12.Eye cream
13.Blush

Hair
1. Brush/comb
2. Hairspray
3. Curling irons, straighteners, etc
4. Hair pins
5. Any hair accessories that you think you will need
6. Hair elastics (esp. the clear ones)

Always check with the people that you are working with when it comes to bringing things to shoots. Some shoots need special props, colours, etc, so it is best to discuss those things beforehand (including who buys the props, who brings what, etc)

Please feel free to make a comment to add things that you feel should be on this list but I forgot to include.

Aviva

Introducting Young, Beautiful Model Briana Robertson

Briana Robertson is a beautiful, young fashion model from Phoenix, Arizona. She is interested in fashion, beauty, editorial, and commercial modeling. Briana is agency represented, tall, and slender. She has experience in runway, catalogue modeling and music videos, in addition to having worked with several talented photographers,clothing designers, make-up artists, and hair stylists. Briana has done great and I hope that she continues to rock every photoshoot!

It was a pleasure interviewing her, she’s beautiful on the outside and the inside.

Image Credits:
Photographer-Robert Jewett www.robertjewett.com
MakeUp-Didi Clark,
Retouching-Elan Digital

AVIVA: How long have you been modeling?
BRIANA ROBERTSON: I started modeling professionally about a year ago, but I always loved my photo being taken. When I was about ten years old I found my mother’s old modeling book and I became obsessed. I would beg my Mom to drive me to various different places and take photos of me. I would do my own make up and get dressed up in the craziest of outfits. Many of those photos actually turned out quite well, from my part. Too bad they were taken with a point and click camera – I knew at that point I needed much better photographers. No offense to mom.

AVIVA: What inspired you to become a model?
BR: My mother’s work inspired me a lot and got the ball rolling, but mom says it was in me long before that. I was never a shy child and loved being the center of attention. If someone brought out a camera at a family gathering, you could find me running out in front of it. My Aunt, who was a landscape photographer, got involved when I was older and helped support me – I probably wouldn’t be where I am without her. I am also a huge fan of shoes and clothes! Fashion inspires me a lot and being able to wear such beautiful pieces and work with such talented people is a constant inspiration to me.


Image Credits:
Makeup Artist-Crazy Face,
Photographer-XDesign

AVIVA: What advice would you offer to girls who are interested in pursuing modeling?
BR: I honestly could go on and on about this, so I will pick just a few points. First, think about WHY you want to be a model and be realistic about IF you can be a model. Modeling is extremely competitive. If you are not approaching it from the right angle, you are not going to get very far. Modeling is not just about “being pretty” or “tall” or “thin,” rather “good” modeling also includes a passion for the product, and passion for the art. If you do not possess this passion and confidence, then modeling will be much more difficult for you and you will probably not enjoy it. Second, know the common scams. Know that modeling schools are usually outdated in their teachings and generally just want your money. You will get much more from reviewing magazines for poses and practicing in a mirror to know what looks good on your body/face and what doesn’t. Learn the basics of acting to learn how to emote properly (if you don’t know how to portray feelings realistically). Many models just go through the motions without the emotions, and that just makes for a boring photo. Third, networking is the key to it all. Networking and knowing the right people will make all the difference in the world. Follow up with people, communicate, be friendly, be prompt, and be approachable. Attitude is only acceptable on the set when the camera is clicking… it is not acceptable off the set or during business negotiations. Send emails or letters and make phone calls. Modeling is a popularity contest in a sense.


Image Credits:
Photographer-jesse paulk,
Makeup Artist-Crazy Face

AVIVA: Do you have any brief fun/crazy/weird/interesting photo shoot story that you would like to share?
BR: I was shooting in a bathing suit in a deserted parking lot. It was about 10 PM, so it was dark. About 5 cop cars surround us and start asking the Photographer questions. The bathing suit was yellow, so in the light it had looked as if I were nude from the street, so apparently the police received many calls of a nude girl being photographed out in the open near a very busy road in Phoenix. They eventually let us go. It was much more intense and even funny than I have described here. It is one of those situations where you just had to be there.

AVIVA: What do you feel has been your greatest achievement in modeling so far?
BR: I don’t look at modeling from that point of view. I look at modeling as a form of art. If I happen to achieve my goal from the shoot or show, etc and make it better than anticipated then I feel great that we created something wonderful. It is difficult to compare one achievement to another. For example, I do a lot of work for charities. Working on the KatOuz catalog was a great feeling because much of their profits go toward a great cause (http://www.katouz.com/). I did a charity runway show for Macy’s and the Gap to help with abused children. To me, both of these events, and many more were great achievements. We worked hard and hopefully made lives better from it.

AVIVA: What are your other interests/passions besides modeling?
BR: I enjoy making great images, even as a painter. Being a painter helps me appreciate the art of modeling as well and inspires me to make more out of my images. I also enjoy acting, music, playing the guitar, making videos, anime, socializing, and song writing.


Image credits:
Makeup Artist-Crazy Face,
Photographer-XDesign

AVIVA: What is it like going to high school and modeling?
BR: When I first started modeling professionally, I was very happy and took my book to school. Several of my older friends talked about their work all the time, so I didn’t see anything wrong with discussing my work. After sharing my book, they accused me of bragging, called me stuck up and stopped hanging around with me. I am very much a tom boy and stuck up was never a part of who I was. I was very hurt by this. Some high school kids have a hard time understanding what I do, so I quit telling them. Some will shun you for it and others want to be your best friend because of it…. Boys want to have a “model” for a girlfriend, and the girls want to start fights and be jealous, so I don’t tell many people my age anymore. I am now in a different school that has much more emphasis on the arts and people are much more accepting of my career there.

AVIVA: If money/time were no option, where would you like your career to take you?
BR: From a selfish artist’s viewpoint I would love to be in Vogue, Elle, Cosmo, Bazaar, Marie Claire, W Magazine (what model wouldn’t) to name a few and to work with cosmetic companies and high fashion clothing/shoe designers. I am also a huge fan of jewelry and hair products. I want to walk the most elegant runways in the world and travel and see everything, maybe even dabble in acting and even music videos with some of my favorite artists. I want to meet the most fabulous people and be surrounded by creativity. My hope is to get to the point to where I have enough money to sustain me so that I could do more work with charities and make a difference to abused children and struggling families. If my career could take me to that place, I would be fulfilled.

AVIVA: Do you have any additional comments?
BR: Thank you for your interest in getting to know me. I hope you have a happy and successful 2011.

I wish Briana all the best in her career, and would like to thank her for the interview! 🙂
You can see more of her work on her website. You can also check out and like her Facebook page

—————————————————————————————————
Come back for more interviews, photos, reviews, and much more!

Aviva 🙂

What’s In a Name? by JP Erickson

This article was written by JP Erickson, a fitness photographer whose work appeared in Oxygen Magazine, Fame Magazine, Muscle & Fitness, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, MuscleMag International, Women’s Physique World, Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness and more. It is copyright of JP Erickson has been reposted here with his permission.
————————————————————————————————-
Should you use a model alias or your real name when doing shoots?

Let’s start with the premise that whatever direction you choose to go, be consistent. Remember: You’re creating a product or brand, said product being you the model. If fans and industry people can’t find that product on the store shelves, you’re not doing your job.

If you do one shoot with your real name, the next with an alias and the following shoot with yet another alias, you’re confusing the matter. Make your choice; practice consistency.

I strongly recommend using a model alias. There are multiple reasons for making this choice.

As a fitness model, your product is your physique. In this business, a sexy hard body sells. When you’re showing off that hard body, some of your shoots will feature minimal clothing.

You may be fine with that image, but there will always be people that are far less accepting of this than you are. This could be anyone from your employer to family members. An alias in the model world gives you an extra layer of privacy in the real world.

The person you are today might be quite different from the person you will be five years from now. Right now, the spotlight might be great, but what happens if you need more anonymity in the future? Creating a model alias provides you with extra options in the future.

One of the major reasons why the web is a superior vehicle to print is that once you publish something on the web, it keeps working to bring you exposure long after a print piece dies. Excellent when you want the exposure, but should you ever decide to change directions, your published web material awaits discovery by anyone curious enough to Google your name. Again, a model alias provides you with that extra security should you decide to take a different direction with your life.

If you compete, you can create a model alias and compete under that name. From a marketing standpoint, this is the best strategy as it’s going to give you maximum exposure for your product, that product being you.

If you’re unsure, start by using your first name only as your model alias. Better to err on the side of caution than start with your real name and then attempt to undo what’s been done. Keep in mind that once your name is out there, it’s there for the world to see.

If you’re going to create a model alias, you need to put some thought into your name. Look at it from the perspective of naming a new product. You want something that is easy to remember and easy to pronounce. Avoid cutesy sounding names. People might call you buff and people might call you hot, but Buff Hottie as your model name likely isn’t a good choice.

Once you’ve selected potential candidates, the next step is research. Google your name and make certain you haven’t selected one that belongs to an adult star or mass murderer. As important, make sure the corresponding URL is available so that you can purchase the domain name to go with your model alias. This is the first step in building your product and something we will explore in future articles.

There you have it – a new name and product waiting for you to take it to market.

————————————————————————————————
I would like to thank JP for sharing this article. You can view more information and articles on his website, Muscle Model 101

Cheers,
Aviva 🙂

A few thoughts for models who are seeking to go full-time

This post is written by ShivaKitty. She is an experienced full-time freelance glamour and nude model from Boston. Please be advised that this post is based on her experience and in the modeling world, and that experience is different for everyone.

Here is what she had to say:

*Before you even consider starting to model full-time, you should be comfortable with the idea of accepting paid work from people whose images you feel are really pretty horrible, or at least mediocre. Understand that many of the people you shoot with will post unflattering images of you all over the Internet, and you will have no right to complain since you were fairly compensated, in cash, after the shoot.

*When you first reach a point where you realize you *can* make money from modeling, you will NOT just arbitrarily “set” a rate. When that time comes, you will start being offered certain amounts of money per shoot. Often, the amount you will be offered will seem surprisingly low. It isn’t. As you model longer, build a diverse portfolio, and have a list of strong references, you are likely to be offered increased amounts of money. Eventually, you will have more control over the rate at which you work. In the beginning, the people hiring you will control your rate. You gain more control over your rate in accordance with experience level, and reputation.

*You cannot assume that every person who contacts you is creepy, or harmful. Understand that you will be shooting with a lot of people whom you probably wouldn’t care to socialize with in your daily life. Some folks are unpleasant, stinky, have no social skill, etc. You will be shooting with some of these people, yes. However, if they are not disrespectful to you verbally, and if they do not engage in overt transgressions, you are going to be okay. Most people are good people. Most photographers and artists do treat their models very well, and with respect. Have some trust in the goodness of humankind. You will be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

*You should be comfortable setting personal limits, but also be flexible with those limits when you realize you have started outgrowing them — and yes, many of the things you start off saying “never” to become okay to you, or even fun, after you have been shooting for awhile. Your personal values are likely to change, because modeling full-time will force you to grow in areas of challenge that many people never even encounter, let alone go out and face bravely.

*Do not let other people determine when you have outgrown certain limits and boundaries. You will know. You. You. You. You.Will.Know.

*Certain things, that modeling full-time kind of forces upon you, will increase your self-esteem, your street smarts, and your personal savvy. An example is travel. I never traveled alone until I started modeling. Now, I do it a lot, and I do it fearlessly. Modeling just changes you. It really, really does. It changes who you are, how you interact with the world around you, how others perceive you. You are either able to go with that natural ebb and flow – grow with it, rather – or not.

*People will often try to convince you that you are not worth the rate/trade/compensation you feel your work is worth. Either agree, or move on. You might find out that you’re not so great after all, or you might discover that you are -in fact- talented, and great at what you do. Anticipate that your perception of yourself, and your perception of your work’s value, will shift as you grow personally from your new experiences.

*Be willing to spend a lot of time on the road. In 2009, I was putting an average of 500 miles per week on my car, and I did additional long-distance trips (requiring airplanes). There are ways to travel cheap(er), such as trading shooting hours for airfare, but it can be difficult to wrangle up these jobs. Getting started traveling to shoot tends to happen naturally over time. It is not worth hurrying; when it’s time for you to work elsewhere, it will happen.

*Time and time again, models you think are uglier, dumber, or less experienced will be selected for jobs, while you will be rejected. You will learn that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, and you are the perfect model – for a DIFFERENT photographer.

*You will lose old friends who refuse to support you, but you will gain new friends within the industry, who understand where you are coming from, and care about your goals and development as a creative person.

*You will become jaded about some things, because -as with any job- the stress wears on you over time. You will become more open to many, many lovely things that you would have never experienced working in an office, or in doing retail work.

*You will likely evolve in a “hustler” of sorts. You learn to negotiate, bargain, weigh options, etc.

*You will become very good at managing your ever-changing schedule.

*You will need to decide, relatively early in the game, whether you want to keep your modeling life private, or whether you want to “come out” to your family and friends. If you are over 18, and living independently, whatever you choose to do with your body and likeness is your personal business, and yours alone. Just like your personal finances stop being your parents’ business once you are working and out of their house, so does the ways in which you choose to use your body. If you choose to share the information, wonderful. If you don’t, it’s your heart/mind/body, and only you own it.

*You will be well-advised to use a stage name – religiously – for any nude, erotic or fetish work. No one should have to tell you that this shit can come back to bite you in the ass when you are 45, and running for mayoral office. Even if you use a stage name, it can still come back to bite. Just keep that in mind.

You can view more of her work on her website www.shivakitty.com and Model Mayhem

————————————————————————————-
Good luck everyone!!
Aviva

My most viewed image on Model Mayhem as of November 23, 2010

This image is called ‘The Ankle Grab’ for reasons non other than that I am grabbing my ankles…hahaha
It was taken during one of my first few shoots when I started modeling. I love doing poses that require bending and twisting. They are challenging yet different and they let the imagination wonder.

Photo by Ian Simpson of IMS FotoGrafix

On Model Mayhem, this image is on almost 100 lists, and has had over 9000 views.

It is also available as a signed 8×10 in my Online Shop.

Have a wonderful day!!
Aviva

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...