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| Photo by Lacking Focus Photography |
I'm a self-promoting model who is too short for runway by at least 2 inches and will be damned if that's going to keep me from participating in the other 90% of the industry.
There are a lot of pretensions in the industry; about height, about look, about where you live, about what kind of oxygen you breathe, etcetera and whatever. They're always changing and they always are just a little bit offensive if you take any of it personally. I've always thought about it like that Penny Lane quote from the cult-classic movie Almost Famous:
"I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. You never get hurt, You always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."
Yeah, it's a lot like that. Minus the record store. That's more like, the Model Mayhem forums or something. But yeah, if you can't do that, you shouldn't be doing this. There are a lot of people out there that try to "help you out along the way" and this industry has a long history of scammers. There are some genuine individuals out there, but is hard as hell to try to find them. When you do find the good ones, they're worth their weight in gold.
After the few years it took me to figure out that whole part I realized that we had come into a whole new age of networking. One completely separate from the "new age of computers!" of our parents' generation. Sure, we used to network online only with email and individual websites and that was fine since very few people really knew how or what they were doing. (Anybody remember how many tacky Angelfire websites there were in the 90s before Myspace/Facebook/ect!?) I still do networking through email, but it's not my primary source any longer. Sites like Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Model Mayhem.. they all offer a new level in the Great American Dream. You, who-ever you are and where-ever you are, can now make yourself. Get a Twitter account, get a blog, get a professional FB account, and start a Youtube Channel and just have enough time, energy and drive to actually follow through on it all and the little glimmer of stardust is hanging there. (And, you know, avoid the scammers and the sleezebags with some level headed logic.)
It's pretty much where my focus is. From an anthropological point of view it's absolutely fascinating, and from my personal "too short for industry standard" point of view, it's just like candy. I'm not aiming to make the runway, I'm realistic. But I sure as hell want the the other 90% of the industry! And that's what I'm trying to do.
Ah, the basics!
Because I know you're all so very, very interested in them! ;P
Measurements: 35-24-34
Weight: 109
Height: A whopping 5'4"! And like every average or short girl, I barely own any flat shoes, and all my heels start at 3". ^_~
Represented/Agent: Yeah, I have an agent, and yes, he's completely useless.
Years in the Industry: Well, I got my first Model Mayhem page about 8 years ago, which certainly doesn't make you a model. But it introduced me. Eventually, I started a new page fresh - in 2007, when I started being more "serious" about it. I wasn't yet focused though, that's for sure. I had a lot to learn and didn't have anybody "showing me the ropes". I started seriously modeling about three years ago and haven't slowed down. I have more experience than most girls who've been doing it longer and I focus on the science (Yeah, "There's science in this shit!") of it all. Example: Posing isn't standing and looking pretty, it's preparation, memorization, and pushing boundaries, understanding positive and negative shapes, being aware of your body and every little movement.
How'd I Start? The same way most people start, they hear about it from a friend who is dabbling in it, or by posing for a friend who's taking a photography class and you figure out "Hey! I like this!". Thank you, Mr. Prescott. After that, article after article and lots of research. Ah, and LOTS of trial and mostly error. ^_~
Worst Experience Modeling: Laying in the snow in full body make-up and a teeny tiny silk dress for about an hour or two just to receive..... Not a single shot. My least favourite thing to hear from a photographer is "Well, I 'got the images back' and they won't do anything for your or my portfolio. I'm not even going to bother sending them to you." Beside the huge feeling of time wasted, there's a severe lack of respect or professionalism. And the phrase 'got the images back'... what? You weren't taking the photos?? haha.
Of course, chances are if you're hearing this it's probably an "early learning" level photographer. At a full out professional photo shoot, it doesn't really happen often. But, we all gotta learn. (On a side note, it's a personal pet peeve of mine that some photographers from trade shoots make all the decisions for you about what image is or isn't going to work for your portfolio. But that's just my opinion. I don't need to see every shot, but give me at least a few to choose what works best for my portfolio.) You just gotta be graceful about it and just try to move on. So - I laid in the snow, it was the uncomfortable, I got nothing in return, wasn't taken seriously and.... at least it was a new experience I had and can laugh about it now over drinks.
Best Experience Modeling: Seeing a last minute casting call for Women's Entertainment Network on Model Mayhem years ago, being convinced it was a scam, but sending in my interest anyway.... And? BAM! Landed my first television slot on National TV. Got paid a meager but glorious $50 (Spent it all on gas to get there & back), 10 seconds at the end of the TV Episode and walked away happier than a clam. Even got to keep the shiny gold toga they made for me to wear. Sometimes things surprise you! Also, David Tutera - is a totally awesome and kind man. (This is not a lesson in "if it looks like a scam, it might not be" because, yeah, it probably is. I did a LOT of research about the poster/post before following through with it.)
It was early spring, and we had this great in the water type theme.... and it was so warm outside, and I slipped in the water and nearly froze! Eventually I got so cold that my teeth were chattering, but it was absolutely hilarious and so much fun. I often find that the most strange, awkward or uncomfortable environments can yield some amazing photos. There's nothing like the power rush you get from successfully making an image in the middle of interesting circumstances. :P My favourite photo of last year probably came from that shoot. (right)
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