Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I currently live in Oxford, PA (Chester County Area), which is along the Delaware and Maryland borders. I, unfortunately, do not travel far, but I do model locally and also in the surrounding states – MD, DE, NJ, NY, WV, and VA.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
Modeling is something I have always wanted to do! From a very young age, I dreamed of being in fashion, glamour, and modeling. I also always loved taking pictures. Endless pictures of everyone and everything, so photography in itself has been a huge passion for my entire life. I pretty much grew up with a camera in my hand and my mother always recording home videos of me.
I became discouraged through my teen years because I believed I was not tall enough to be a model, but after multiple photographers contacted me, I became quickly motivated to proceed.
I started modeling 6 years ago. I was approached at a family wedding by the wedding photographer. That led to planning my first photoshoot and opened up yet another door, to another opportunity, which led to many more photoshoots.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I would have to say vintage and fashion. I love the vintage fashion genres and I love to dress up. Abandoned vintage art has to be my favorite!
A spectacular outdoor location! Something unique and truly epic!
How important is social media in your success?
Very! I mainly use Model Mayhem, Instagram, and Facebook, but it’s how you network and promote yourself, as well as all the people you work and create with.
I’m a Licensed Cosmetologist. I worked in a salon for 8-years before I started modeling, and I also manage my own home studio, Elk Creek Studios, and I have a family.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Stay true to yourself! It can be difficult not to lose sight of who you are in this business. Avoid the drama. Stay as far away from it as you can. Focus on your path, your talent, and your goals. Don’t change your values or be pressured into things you are not comfortable with, and have fun. Love what you do, and the beautiful work that you create!
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m from Long Island, New York. I’m currently based in Norwalk, Connecticut, and travel frequently for shoots, although Covid has changed that. Right now, I’ve given myself a 250-mile radius limit for booking shoots, so I don’t have to worry about sharing spaces, like hotels and such.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I grew up in the performing arts and that included some print work as a kid. I was always the kind of kid who was trying on different costumes, painting the walls, playing pretend–being the same thing every day was a bore to me, and I had very little interest in routine. Creativity and imagination were my weapons of choice and those are both pretty necessary for modeling.
When I went to college for the first time and realized I had very little time to be pursuing a full-time acting career and school, but I still had time to do the occasional shoot here or there. Somebody told me about Model Mayhem, so I uploaded some of my recent photos and headshots and pretty soon independent photographers were reaching out wanting to shoot.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
In general, I enjoy editorial, something that tells a story. My favorite kind of shoots are at opposite ends of the spectrum. On the one hand, I love a simple portrait shoot with natural or simple lighting, and just kind of get to be myself and give myself over to what the camera sees. On the other hand, I love it when I have the opportunity to put together a shoot that has a lot of moving pieces in order to create something incredibly lavish, whimsical, haunting, or simply visually stunning.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I look for professionalism, first and foremost. I don’t care who or what a photographer’s name or “brand” is. If I can’t feel safe and comfortable with them, there’s no point in trying to book a shoot. Mostly, I’m just a serious artist looking for other serious artists to work with. I want to work with photographers who have a real vision and are looking for someone to help create that vision. I’m looking for people who are interested in the technical aspects, like lighting, color, texture, composition, and I’m looking for people who are interested in the more emotional aspects and the process, like creating a mood, weaving a narrative, reaching a certain audience. I’m looking for photographers who are there to work together as mutual creative professionals.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I feel like it would take years to list everyone I find inspiring… but Glass Olive, Tessa Kuragi, Justin N. Lane, Nicole Vaunt, and Corwin Prescott have always created incredible art, as far as people who started out from a similar place.
Deborah Grosmark is a photographer I’ve been lucky enough to work with in the past. She’s incredible at connecting with her subjects and providing a narrative.
Ellen Von Unwerth is probably my all-time favorite photographer in terms of people who can shoot “sexy” without making it weird. There’s just something about her work that makes you want to dive in and be a part of it; when she shoots a “sexy woman,” she’s not just there for you to consume her, as is the usual view; you’re laughing with her, you’re celebrating with her, you’re in her world–not the other way around. Helmut Newton will also always be another who knows how to take something that might otherwise offend and make into something so studiable.
In general, I just love models and artists that make me want to put the work down for a moment just to think about it.
I have been asked that so often, and I still don’t really have a great answer. I think the reality is that I won’t know the answer to that question until after it happens, but I know that it will probably require being out in nature, working with some awesome creature, which I love to do. I’m really in my zone outdoors and around animals, so I would love to bring those elements into it. Come to think of it, the one concept I’ve always had is representative of my passion for philosophy; dressed as the goddess Minerva, surrounded by books, scrolls, ancient implements of study, holding an owl. That would be quite something!
How important is social media in your success?
It’s everything. I hate to say it, but it counts for so much. I’ve gone from resisting and resenting it, to studying it and trying to improve upon it on a daily basis. It’s not something that comes naturally to me. I really wear my heart on my sleeve and have a hard time with the idea of having to create a “brand” for myself, but it’s so crucial to pretty much any artistic career now, that social media as a necessary tool is one of the mainstays of my job and my life. Every day, every post, every hashtag is a lesson in self-marketing.
There’s so much I love to do outside of modeling, but it’s interesting how much of it gets incorporated into the modeling anyway. I draw, paint, write and sculpt. I do cosplay, which involves prop-making, costume design, photography, editing, and makeup artistry. So much of it gets used, somehow. Even the stuff you wouldn’t assume–one of my passions is axe-throwing, and I also throw knives and do archery, and you wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve had to pack historical weaponry for a photoshoot. The more you show people who you are and what you can do, the more avenues it opens. It’s really fascinating.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
The best advice I can give is to really take stock in yourself. Know yourself. Know your limits. Take yourself, your skills, your time, and your work seriously. Treat this like a business, because it is, and the more seriously you take it and yourself as an artist or a brand, the more seriously others will be forced to take you.
Safety, self-worth, and establishing a reliable community or network of fellow professionals are all crucial to not let the bad days get you down. Strike while the iron is hot, so-to-speak, knowing that it will cool and burn likely a few more times before you’re finished. Know that this isn’t 1955 or even 2005 and that your efforts, ideas, and “brand” determine who you are and what you’re capable of in the arts and entertainment world more than anything else these days.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m not really from anywhere! I lived in four states by the time I was 15, and I am currently located in Kansas City, Missouri. I am based there because it is centrally located, close to family, and it’s crazy cheap to live there, so I can travel a lot. I travel all the time for shoots!
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I got started modeling in college when I went to a fashion school. I had friends and classmates in photography classes and my freshman year I started getting asked to model for projects. I graduated four years later and had a huge portfolio and tons of experience! I got into nude modeling to try and help inspire others to normalize nudity and embrace the beauty of the human form.
Nude art modeling in nature. Being naked in nature is what first made me fall in love with the genre. I feel so connected and at peace being that close to Mother Earth. Feeling nothing but the sun and air on my skin is pure bliss to me!
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I look at references and their portfolio, making sure they are safe and professional to work with. I like to see different things in portfolios, not just the typical “hot girl taking off clothes in front of a couch” (nothing wrong with it, it’s just easily done). I look for passion and images that make me feel something.
A shoot involving big animals. I love animals; I’ve shot with snakes, horses, birds, dogs, and cats. I would love to shoot with a tiger, lion, giraffe, bear, peacock, etc. Any kind of animal that isn’t easy to get access to. My dream location would be the Italian countryside or Greece.
How important is social media in your success?
It is, unfortunately, very important. I say unfortunately because social media has become a hard place but it is very needed. It is a great way to promote yourself and connect with other creatives. It helps to share your work with others who might want to work with you or get inspiration from.
I am lucky enough to do modeling full time. But for fun I love hiking, eating delicious food, and cuddling with my cat while watching Bob’s Burgers or Rick and Morty.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Practice poses and facial expressions in the mirror so that you can have a wide range. The more dynamic you can be, the more you will stand out.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I am from Montreal, Canada. I am based in British-Colombia now and I do travel for shoots. I like to do tours and sometimes I get flown out to different places for specific shoots.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I always had a dream to be a muse. Since I was a child, I was a romantic and passionate artist. I had an idea of being a muse for an artist, have them paint, and be inspired by my essence. There was a moment in my life, a few years ago, when I decided I wanted to try everything I always dreamed of doing. I started to check my bucket list and being a model was part of it. I also realized that in our modern times it would be more practical to be a muse not just for artists, but also for photographers.
I started modeling by answering a Craigslist ad. A photographer was looking for a model. I went to his house and did the first shoot with him, and it felt so good! I came back for a few more shoots in the following weeks, and that gave me photos for my portfolio. Meanwhile, I made a Model Mayhem account and I was able to reach out to many photographers in Montreal. I always got paid for my modeling, and that felt really good because at the time I was a student and my rent was expensive. I was also doing programs for self-growth and those were expensive as well.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
It is hard to say. I could say when it feels really creative and the photographer and I form a team. For example, I love doing nude art modeling. I love it most outdoors in the sun, on the beach, in the forest, or in abandoned buildings. I love it when the photographer trusts me to create beautiful poses and lets me express myself fully. I also love the co-creation of suggestions for locations and poses. I feel really inspired and nourished when I get to do shoots like that.
I also really like using props like bracelets, jewelry, and fabric to create paintings resembling photographs. And those shoots can be indoors or outdoors.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
When deciding to work with a photographer, I always verify that they are genuine and that they are interested in creating art with me, and that they will pay me for my work. That is the first thing and then I look at references. I like to make every detail as clear as possible and make sure that we are on the same page and there are no surprises at the time of the shoot. I also like to look for photographers that have a style I like and I think it’ll add something to my portfolio. I prefer it when they are passionate and they want to create something unique with me. I love it when they like my natural style, with unshaven body hair, as that is something important for me. I don’t want to alter my already perfect body just to please someone’s sense of aesthetic. I believe in staying true to myself.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I have always been inspired by painters like Rembrandt, Klimt, Vermeer, Degas, etc. I am always looking for poses that are inspiring and then I reproduce them and make them work for my body and my style. I don’t really have specific people in mind. Although I can say I definitely love what Christelle does. She is a great friend and a great inspiration.
I think I already had a lot of my dream shoots realized, especially on the beach and in abandoned places. I would really like to be dressed up as a fairy and get photographed in the forest, that is one of the ideas that I haven’t done yet.
How important is social media in your success?
Well, for the first year of modeling, I didn’t really want to have an Instagram but then I got one and I think it helped me to have a larger portfolio to show photographers, and also to connect with photographers that don’t use Model Mayhem. I also find it is a great promotion for my OnlyFans.
But my success is due to my diligence in finding contacts on Model Mayhem more than from my social media pages.
I love playing music, that is my first career, pianist, keyboardist, accordionist, music teacher, composer, etc. I love dancing, doing yoga, and any movement practice. I’m also really connected to the earth and I like growing my own food, harvesting fruits and veggies. I like promoting a healthy lifestyle and helping individuals get healthy.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
The best career advice would be to make sure you are always paid if you do art nude. If you want this to be a career where you make money, it has to be clear for you that you are getting paid from the get-go. The other thing would be, don’t change your body to please photographers, only do it for yourself. There will always be photographers who like it with hair or without hair. Don’t get discouraged by the comments about what someone thinks art is and how they think a model should look. You are already perfect the way you are!
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I am originally from Northern California but moved to North Carolina when I was young and have lived most of my life there. As of a month ago, Los Angeles is my new home base! I am pretty nomadic, I love to travel and take many trips across the country for shooting and visiting nature spots. I haven’t been outside of the US yet, but hope to expand my horizons once the Covid-19 travel bans are lifted.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
As a teen I really enjoyed fashion magazines, they became a bit of an escape for me. I really liked seeing stuff that ‘broke the norm,’ like funky accessories or striking poses. My mother is a talented and creative makeup artist and I loved it when she would do my makeup and test looks on me. We were taking family photos one day and she pointed out how I had a natural inclination to posing. As a teenager with low self-esteem, this helped me to see myself in a new light. She set me up with a Model Mayhem account and showed me the ropes. I loved art but at that age didn’t feel like I had any specific creative talent, so modeling became my way of interacting with art. The more I practiced and shot the better I got, and before I knew it I had a notebook filled with conceptual ideas that I wanted to shoot.
Model: AlyssaVibes, Photographer: Victor Tadeo, Makeup Artsist: Maria Blair
How and when did you start modeling?
I started my modeling journey when I was 16. My grandmother is the sweetest and she came with me to all of my shoots as my chaperone until I was 18. A few years later I was shooting with a friend and photographer Daniel White. Neither of us had shot boudoir or art nude before but were curious (and a little nervous) about trying it. We were shooting at an abandoned location that felt cinematic, and we realized the art that could be produced with the female form had a lot more power than being restricted in distracting clothing. I still love the photos we took that day, it helped me realize the fine art behind nude art and opened me up to a whole new world of job offers and collaborations.
After that, I started shooting a lot more. I’d rent cars when I didn’t have a car and began traveling for shoots. Sometimes I’d take breaks and then get back into it and I’m lucky to have worked with photographers who really encouraged me to continue to take modeling further. Some key shoots to my journey were with Beau Nestor, Louis Reed, Victor Tadeo, Jonah Siegel, Charles Umberger, and too many others to list but those stand out as cornerstones of my journey. I also worked as a photographer’s assistant/studio manager for about a year and that really taught me a lot and motivated me to start modeling full-time.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
Aside from being a fun job, modeling is a creative outlet for me and a way to actively participate in art. My favorite shoots are based on conceptual ideas, shoots that take me on nature adventures, high fashion, and when I collaborate with a team. Though I really love it all!
Nude modeling holds a special place in my heart. It’s the majority of what I shoot, but it’s so much more than just a job for me. Through modeling nude, I feel that I’ve reclaimed ownership over my body and personal power that I had given away or abandoned after trauma. It’s not about vanity or looking ‘hot,’ which I’ve learned a lot of people don’t understand but that’s okay. Maybe I can help change the narrative and the way society views nudity. It is so freeing to be able to be nude, raw, and exposed without being sexualized. I believe that our bodies are powerful sacred miracles.
There’s a connection that I find between myself and the camera, a certain flow, and connectedness to the moment. In that way, modeling is a meditative practice as well as a way to connect to and express emotions. I like to move through a varied spectrum of poses and expressions, playing a part while connected to the composition surrounding me.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I’ve worked with photographers on all different levels of experience, whether it’s someone who is just starting out and wants to hire a model to gain experience and improve their portfolio, or an established photographer looking to achieve a planned vision. One of the greatest things about modeling is that it has brought me to meet so many artists from all different walks of life that I may have never had the chance to interact with otherwise. I think there is something to learn from everyone I meet and every shoot I am a part of.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
In the beginning, I remember being inspired by work by Taja Feistner and Pamela Francesca and that was when social media was relatively new, so being able to follow a model’s journey and see them also use their platform to be social advocates was influential to me. There was also a certain magazine ad I saw that really stuck with me forever – Vanessa Hessler for Guess. I think it was something about being so fierce, feminine, and soft all at once. Astrid Kallsen is a beautiful model who I’ve worked with and she inspires me a lot with the control she has of her posing. She was the first model I met who was doing the same thing I was- working freelance and traveling. At the time I didn’t really know what to call what I did, so seeing a name put to it, ‘nude traveling model,’ and hearing about her similar struggles and journey was affirmative to me that I was on the right path.
I feel influenced by everything around me and I find a lot of posing/mood board inspiration by browsing through Pinterest or social media hashtags.
A dream shoot would be an exotic location with a team of artists and an adventure, or a shoot that really had some kind of social significance and impact.
How important is social media in your success?
Social media is huge for me in how I network and find gigs. Model Mayhem has been my primary source of finding gigs and getting discovered by photographers, but I did finally create a model page on IG and Facebook recently for networking as well.
I like to make abstract art- painting with acrylics, resin, and mixed media. I love playing with color relationships and movement. I aspire to become an installation artist and to make art that people can become immersed by and interact with. You can see this work on my Instagram artist profile.
I also have a passion for curating the community and promoting artist empowerment. Pre-Covid I was co-running an art and music collective called Portal City, but we had to close our studio in NC. We’re currently working on expanding our vision into a bigger idea. I also love traveling, dancing, exploring nature, eating good food, and learning new things.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Don’t underestimate the need to study your craft and practice. Check references of photographers and always tell a friend where you are, and above all else, stay true to yourself and put your heart into the art!
JoyLamore is a professional model based in Madrid, Spain. She has been published in many online and print magazines, including Playboy, Penthouse, Maxim, Volo, and more.
Model: Mariela IV, Photographer: Alex Barakat, Hair & Makeup: Heather Choi
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I was born in Rexburg, Idaho, but I have lived in many places since I was a child, such as Bolivia, Houston, TX, and Denver, CO.
I’ve lived in Los Angeles, CA for 13-years now. In between, I have lived in Las Vegas and back and forth in Denver for the past couple of years, but LA is my main home. I enjoy traveling, so yes I do most definitely travel for shoots, and I have traveled all over the US and some foreign countries. I would like to travel more to foreign countries.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
My mother put me into modeling since I was a child, just for fun in the beginning. I always enjoyed acting and the arts. I was a tomboy as a child but my mother would put my older sister and me in pageant shows, fashion shows, folk festivals where we were the main presenter, and modeling shoots for catalogs. I would just do the project but without really putting much attention to it. I didn’t like being judged and the competitions, but I grew into modeling as an adult and loved it. I’m a simple natural type and very business orientated, and as the saying goes, “Be your own kind of beautiful.”
Model: Mariela IV, Photographer: Max Nguyen Photography
How and when did you start modeling?
I started in Colorado at the age of 12 for catalog fashion department shoots.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy mainly the genre of fashion and beauty. Couture and artistic abstract creative shoots.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I review their images, social media, and website. I have worked with student photographers and photographers that enjoy photography as a hobby and I have always gotten great images. In these type of shoots, sometimes I’m the teacher, which I don’t mind because I enjoy helping someone that is trying to learn and give back my wisdom of experience.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
There is a lot of models that I think are amazing from the ’80s, and the ’90s models were the real supermodels, such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, etc. I loved Mila Jovovich, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. Other awesome models are Devin Aoki, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Izabel Goulart, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Candice Swanepoel.
I also find many photographers and designers inspiring.
What would be your dream shoot?
My dream shoot would be for Vogue, across the board for China, Dubai, Japan, France, Brazil, and the USA. I was featured in Vogue Italia and many other magazines. Other publications I would love to work with would be Elle and Bazaar. I’d love to do billboard fashion campaigns or couture campaigns.
How important is social media in your success?
In the entertainment world to connect with the world and fans, you must have social media and be active. Your life goes live and everyone wants to see it, or at least what you want to share.
I am also an actress, DJ, and producer. During Covid, it has been a calm but still productive year, and that enabled me to be more creative through social media.
I also am an artist and enjoy painting in my free time. I do yoga and play tennis. I also design various products, one has been my shirt and hat line for my DJ side, and I also have another product in development.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
As with any entertainment career, it’s a business. Love what you do, be confident, share your beauty, be humble, and inspire.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I was born and raised in the Philippines. I currently live in the Connecticut/NYC area. I travel for paid shoots and I’m willing to shoot TFP if it is in my area or a personal project that I want to work on.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I have always had a passion for creating art. Something about the human body, the way it moves, facial expressions, and how a person can tell their story through their eyes, body language, and how all of these come together in an image has always moved me and brought me to appreciate beauty in different forms. I love looking at a photograph and figuring out the message behind it. It’s amazing how photographs can make us feel. Jasmine Sanders inspires me a lot in the modeling industry. I love how she works in front of the camera and shows her real persona.
I started modeling in August 2018. One of my co-workers at that time was a photographer and he asked me if I was willing to work with him and capture some outdoor images. I was so nervous and wanted to cancel at the last minute because I had no idea how to pose or what to do, but he made me feel comfortable and confident, and our photos came out amazing! Ever since then, he told me that I should look into modeling work, and I started working with multiple photographers around my area. I enjoyed it a lot, built my portfolio, and eventually quit my job for modeling.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy shooting boudoir or photoshoots that tell a story, like a movie but captured in a moment of time.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I look for comfort the most. I want to be myself and not have any awkward moments. I don’t care if you are just starting out with photography, I will work with anyone who can make me feel my best while shooting.
The quality of their work also plays a huge role. I can’t have photographers give me low-quality images (let’s just be real). I work hard and give my all while modeling, so it’s only fair that I get great quality images in return!
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
Kevin Dirks has always been my top photographer. The way he made me feel throughout our shoots and his work just amazes me every single time! I got the best photos and learned a lot from him.
My dream shoot would be a series of photos of me naked in nature, capturing every emotion and movement around it. Wild and free is the theme.
How important is social media in your success?
Social media has played a huge role in my success. That is where I get exposure and meet talented models and photographers in the industry. Although social media can have a negative side to it, it can affect you positively as long as you follow the right people, those who will benefit you and your career. Most of the photographers that I have been shooting with are people I met through social media.
Whenever I am not modeling, I usually cook and blog. I’m a vegan chef, so I enjoy making healthy dishes and sharing them with the world. I also love to hike, travel, meditate, workout (pilates and yoga), and live life to the fullest!
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
My advice to new models is to keep pushing yourself for greatness. We all have to start at the bottom and no matter how hard it can get, if you really want it, you can make it happen. You will meet photographers who you will have bad experiences with, so make sure you research people you are meeting and working with before you agree to the shoot. It’s a crazy world we live in right now, so always make sure you are safe and working with someone reliable that you can trust.
Do not give up! If it is something that you really love or a passion that you want to pursue, be ready to experience the bad with the good. It will not be an easy ride but it’s so worth it. Nothing worth it in life comes easy. No matter how many people turn their backs on you, stay strong, and be a fighter. You can achieve anything you put your mind to.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I was born in Rexburg, Idaho, but I have lived in many places since I was a child, such as Bolivia, Houston, TX, and Denver, CO.
I have lived in Los Angeles, CA for 13 years now. In between, I have lived in Las Vegas and back and forth in Denver for the past couple of years but LA is my main home. I enjoy traveling so yes I do most definitely travel for shoots. I have traveled all over mainly the US and some foreign countries. I would like to travel more to foreign countries.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
My mother put me into modeling since I was a child, just for fun in the beginning. I always enjoyed acting and the arts. I was a tomboy as a child but my mother would put my older sister and me in pageant shows, fashion shows, folk festivals where we were the main presenter, and modeling shoots for catalogs. I would just do the project but without really putting much attention to it. I didn’t like being judged and the competitions, but I grew into modeling as an adult and loved it. I’m a simple natural type and very business orientated, and as the saying goes, “Be your own kind of beautiful.”
Model: Mariela IV, Photographer: Max Nguyen Photography
How and when did you start modeling?
I started in Colorado at the age of 12 for catalog fashion department shoots.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy mainly the genre of fashion and beauty. Couture and artistic abstract creative shoots.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I review their images, social media, and website. I have worked with student photographers and photographers that enjoy photography as a hobby and I have always gotten great images. In these type of shoots, sometimes I’m the teacher, which I don’t mind because I enjoy helping someone that is trying to learn and give back my wisdom of experience.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
There is a lot of models that I think are amazing from the ’80s, and the ’90s models were the real supermodels, such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Helena Christensen, etc. I loved Mila Jovovich, Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. Other awesome models are Devin Aoki, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Izabel Goulart, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Candice Swanepoel.
I also find many photographers and designers inspiring.
What would be your dream shoot?
My dream shoot would be for Vogue, across the board for China, Dubai, Japan, France, Brazil, and the USA. I was featured in Vogue Italia and many other magazines. Other publications I would love to work with would be Elle and Bazaar. I’d love to do billboard fashion campaigns or couture campaigns.
How important is social media in your success?
In the entertainment world to connect with the world and fans, you must have social media and be active. Your life goes live and everyone wants to see it, or at least what you want to share.
I am also an actress, DJ, and producer. During Covid, it has been a calm but still productive year, and that enabled me to be more creative through social media.
I also am an artist and enjoy painting in my free time. I do yoga and play tennis. I also design various products, one has been my shirt and hat line for my DJ side, and I also have another product in development.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
As with any entertainment career, it’s a business. Love what you do, be confident, share your beauty, be humble, and inspire.
Model: Mariela IV, Photographer: Etheralized Imagery
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I am from Crystal River, FL, a small town on Florida’s gulf coast near Tampa. I am still based around the Tampa area and travel often for work.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I don’t have a background, family members in the industry, or even grew up with a desire to be a model. Sure, every little girl wants to grow up to be a pretty princess and all that but I never had the want because I felt sub-par compared to other women and thought that I would fail. I was very shy most of my life and entering my adult years I developed a lot of insecurities. At the time, it was due to bad relationships I was in and having to compete with other women for attention, but those insecurities later turned into a strength.
After a relationship failed, I decided to enter the beauty industry and go to hair school. I was approached three years later, in 2011, by a friend who went to school with me who’s daughter was in pageants. She told me a photographer her daughter works with needed a blonde female for his portfolio and she thought I was pretty and asked if I would be interested. Well, having this newfound confidence, I jumped at the opportunity and I’ve been rockin’ and rollin’ ever since!
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I’d have to say I enjoy swimsuit and lingerie the most. Those types of shoots always give me confidence in myself. I was always nervous to shoot nude but I’ve recently ventured into that as well and I have to say it’s a very empowering feeling. The human body is beautiful.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I look for someone with quality work and a good reputation. Sometimes, that even includes reaching out to other models that they have previously worked with in the past. Most photographers are in this industry for the right reasons, but just like any other profession, always do your homework.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
Tina Louise, and I’m a big fan of the Black Tape project.
Definitely a location shoot, somewhere tropical, like the Maldives, Fiji, or one of those places.
How important is social media in your success?
As much as it pains me to say this, social media is huge. I’m a firm believer in living in the moment and putting your phone down, but to be successful in this day and age it’s important to have a social media presence to build your brand.
I love working out. I try to be in the gym as much as possible, which is hard because I also love to sleep! I love spending time with my friends and I have dogs, so it’s always fun to take them places. Living in Florida the beach is always a year-round option.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
The best and the only advice I can give is to go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make it and won’t be successful, or that you aren’t pretty enough, because you are. Don’t get discouraged starting out, you can do anything you put your mind to. Take the time to build a quality portfolio to present to potential employers and always take pride in your work. Put in the hard work and stay true to yourself in the process.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m from Washington State but reside in Los Angeles now. I do travel for shoots, but not much this past year due to the pandemic, although things have slowly been getting back to normal lately.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
Victoria’s Secret was my inspiration when growing up. I always wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret model. I love Tyra Banks and I used to watch and follow everything she did. I always thought she was perfect, I would study her poses and her walk, and she inspired me to be a model.
I was 16 when my mom and I were at a mall and this lady approached us. She said that I would make a perfect model and that I should get in contact with her. We contacted her and she set me up with runway classes, modeling workshops, etc.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I love all modeling genres but I feel most confident shooting lingerie or swimsuits. I feel extremely sexy when I’m in front of the camera. I also love fitness modeling.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I always check references because you never know what kind of photographer you’re going to get, and I’ve had some pretty scary experiences in the past. You always want to keep yourself safe and share your location with someone. I also look at their credits and their images. They could have great references and credits but the photos they take may not be the kind of look you were going for.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I have always loved Charlize Theron. She has this spark about her that I find inspiring. She’s confident, sexy, and knows what she wants. I also find Victoria’s Secret models inspiring.
Well, back in the day I would say Victoria’s Secret, but now my dream shoot would be on a tropical island shooting for Maxim or Sports Illustrated. They’re more my style now that I’ve grown up and their photos are sexy.
How important is social media in your success?
Social media is very important. It literally can make or break someone in this industry. The more followers you have, the more shoots you will book.
I love working out, fitness is my life, and I’m all for anything that involves being outside doing something active. I have tried surfing, golf, tennis, volleyball, hiking, horseshoes, and probably every workout on video! I like trying new workouts and staying fit. Not only is it good for modeling, but it’s also good for your mind. Working out helps with stress, anxiety, depression, and many other things. I also enjoy billiards. I have been playing since I was a little girl and I am very good at it. At one point I was playing in three pool leagues and going to Vegas to play in big pool tournaments.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
The best advice I can give to new models is don’t change who you are to be what they want you to be. Do not starve yourself. Lose weight in a healthy way, eat right, keep your mind right, don’t trust everything you hear because if it sounds to good to be true it probably is, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a gig. Pick yourself up and keep going. There will be one out there for you!
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I am from Dallas, Texas! I am based in Los Angeles right now and I do travel for shoots. Traveling is a passion of mine and I am so grateful that modeling has allowed me to get paid to travel often.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
My friends got me into modeling. They kind of hyped me up and told me I could do it, so I did!
I used to always go to photoshoots with my friends who were models. After I moved to LA, in April 2019, they brought me to a group shoot and a couple of other shoots, and that’s how I got started.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
While I do enjoy participating in almost every genre of modeling, implied nude and boudoir shoots have a hold on my heart. At first, the thought of being in lingerie or even showing so much skin in front of a camera scared me, but once I did it, I found it was actually very empowering and it has helped me discover an unconditional love for myself that I never knew existed.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
First and foremost, their portfolio and how recent it is, then I look at their Verified Credits, the more pleasant credits they have the better!
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
The whole community inspires me! There is no one in particular because each and every creative brings something different to the table, but I’m honestly inspired every day, whether it’s some work from a friend of mine who is a model as well or a photographer I have connected with or want to connect with.
I love to bake. I’ve recently been making bread from scratch and it’s so yummy. I’m never buying processed grocery store bread ever again! I also like to meditate, do yoga, and pole dance. Shopping is a very big hobby of mine as well… I have a bit of a designer bag habit.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
The best career advice I can give to new models is to just do it! I never would have thought in a million years I would become a model, in Los Angeles at that, but here I am and it’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made. I’m so grateful for all the love and support I’ve gotten on my journey and you will get lots of love and support too!
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I was born and raised in the Southeastern United States and spent most of my childhood in the Carolinas.
I often find myself describing my lifestyle as a “nomadic art chaser.” I live on the road, constantly seeking the next opportunity to create. Through these adventures, I’ve developed lasting friendships with both artists and patrons- all across the US and hopefully soon the world- and Model Mayhem is responsible for many of those cherished encounters.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
In 2019 I had a mental health crisis that resulted in the reevaluation of my life journey. Happiness became my priority and pursuit, and I sacrificed all that stood in the way. I quit my marriage and job, moved into my car, and became a traveling model.
Traveling, collaborating, and creating art fulfills me and I don’t plan on quitting any time soon.
Adventure modeling! I thrive on fresh air and art. Going to beautiful locations and exploring the possibilities of the environment keeps the spark alive.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
When reviewing the portfolio of a potential collaborator I always consult this checklist:
Quality or quantity? The quality to quantity ratio of a portfolio is a giveaway to experience and skill.
Style Without straying from my own artistic integrity, I make conscious efforts to consider all styles and have been rewarded with a versatile body of work.
Credits I always look to see if the photographer gives credit to their models. It’s a deal-breaker if they don’t!
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I am inspired by everyone I have had the opportunity to work with, regardless of experience. It’s my belief that everyone has art within themselves and it’s my responsibility to recognize it and appreciate it.
Can I pick two? I have always wanted images of myself riding a big black horse, bareback, down a gloriously white sandy beach. And, at the top of the bucket list… swimming with elephants!
How important is social media in your success?
Honestly, I hate social media but am a slave to algorithms. For approximately 20-30 hours a week, I’m immersed in administrative duties, relying 100% on social media to create contacts and share my work.
Yoga, photography, music, and hiking are incorporated into my daily routine and spare time is often spent scouting and creating videos of extraordinary locations to share with future collaborators. Last summer I scouted the Olympic Hot Springs in WA and ended up being stalked by a mountain lion for 10 miles!
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m from Japan and based in Tokyo, Japan. I haven’t traveled for shoots yet but in the future I would like to travel to work with photographers.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
It was natural and comfortable for me to be naked. I always wanted to take off my clothes. I’m a dancer and have been dancing and doing art nude modeling for ten years. Being a nude model allowed me to be naked, which makes me happy, and it allows me to meet a treasure trove of artists.
I stopped after I became pregnant, and as I got older I quit modeling, thinking that I couldn’t be a nude model anymore. However, in 2019, a photographer named Tatsuya Atarashi invited me to model for him. It was my first time modeling for a photographer and it was a lot of fun to take pictures naked in the wilderness.
Now I want to shoot with more photographers! I want to know more about the world of imagination of various photographers and to bring that vision to life.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I like nudity and erotic. It’s okay to pose and shoot, but I especially like having a photographer take pictures of me moving slowly and freely.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
There are many beautiful poses, but I think people are most beautiful in their natural appearance. I encourage models to appreciate their own natural appearance every day and to reproduce that natural appearance in their work.
Chey Alexandria is a traveling freelance model based in Los Angeles, CA. Chey does does figure, fashion and art modeling, ranging from tasteful nudes to to socially conscious shoots, and has 83 Verified Credits.
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut. I generally stay in CT but I often travel for assignments. I’m scheduled to go to Atlanta to film a horror movie in May. I love traveling for work!
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to model or act. I was always watching TV shows, memorizing the character’s lines, and when it came to the popular magazines at the time (Tiger Beat, Seventeen, Teen Vogue, etc.), I was obsessed with the advertisements and how fun that must be as a job.
I started modeling at eighteen. I was in art school and I kept getting contacted by agents and people offering to shoot with me, so I figured, why not. I immediately loved it and started becoming more serious about modeling as a career about two years later.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I absolutely love doing fashion and brand modeling (clothing or products).
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I’m looking for a vision that I fall in love with, there has to be something magical that catches my eye. I also love those who are understanding of how I work. I check references and like hearing fun stories about shoots. Those are always great!
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I am a huge fan of Nyane. Her aesthetic is so amazing and she’s so inspirational as a model!
I love crafting, and right now I’m planning my wedding, so I have ideas coming from left and right. When I’m not shooting, I do yoga every chance I can, and I always focus on being healthy.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
To be safe. Make sure you’re always comfortable with who you’re shooting with. Know your worth, no one can change that. For shoots, make sure you have snacks, makeup for touch-ups, and water. It’s always good to come “shoot ready.”
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m from Colorado, Springs, where I lived until I was eight, and then moved with my family to Spokane, WA. I am based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I do travel for shoots.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I’m a teacher of Sacred Sexuality, and I felt a call to teach about sexuality through the visual arts of photography/video. It’s my intention to create sensual and erotic expressions that come from a place of inner strength and empowerment. Authentic and divine feminine expressions that are not about getting attention or objectification.
After I decided to teach about conscious sexuality through photography and video, I then began creating my own images, with a partner, for galleries on my website. I was 43 when I began my exciting adventure as a figurative and photography model.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy all kinds, however, my most comfortable expressions are sensual and erotic. So, nude, boudoir, and erotic figurative art.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
First and foremost, I look for someone who will be professional, respectful, and honoring of me. This genre of photography can be quite vulnerable, and it’s important to feel comfortable, safe, and respected by the photographer so that my expressions are authentic and real. I’m not looking to act or play a role, but to be real, and authentic in my expressions. And of course, that he has the skill and is creative in his work.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
Honestly, I don’t really have a particular model or artist. I just enjoy this creative outlet, and I can appreciate the work of many because I see the beauty in my forms of the arts.
I have a love for Egypt, and so my dream shoot would be to fly, all expenses paid, to Egypt with a photographer and a crew of artists, makeup, clothing, hair, wardrobe, and shoot in the desert, at the temples, on the Nile, everywhere. Oh, and to ride a camel too!
How important is social media in your success?
Well, social media has been the number one way that I’ve found photographers. I am able to share my photos with the world, and so I’d say it’s been pretty important thus far.
I love to dance, write, spend time in nature, travel, eat yummy food, listen to music, and watch movies.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
I would say to value your worth from within and set good boundaries. Create from your heart, with passion, don’t play a role when you’re photographed, be real, and never allow others to mistreat you!
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I am originally from Oakland, CA, and am now based in Santa Cruz along the gorgeous Central Coast. I love where I presently live because there are such a wide array of photographers in my surrounding areas, including the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Monterey/Carmel. What is also special about where I live is that I have the capacity to develop a close working relationship with certain artists near me and therefore work with them on a consistent basis, thus rendering better and more satisfying work.
I travel for 7 – 20 days per month, with the exception of November and December. While I love my local network, there are so many artists around the US that I have had the privilege of making art with, and there are so many others that I am eager to connect with. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy traveling alone as I get to set my own pace and immerse myself in the destination. I have also taken up remote shooting as of August 2020, which has been an innovative way for me to work with photographers internationally!
Who or what inspired you to become a model? How and when did you start modeling?
Back in 2018, I was a bit aimless and had essentially submitted to a career as a preschool teacher (spoiler alert: the pay sucked and my coworkers were often catty). Then a close friend of mine in the dance community of Santa Cruz encouraged me to pursue art modeling. I was a bit skeptical at first, but she and another friend of mine gently nudged me. She then mentored me for two modeling gigs, which is when I discovered the promise of this independent art-generating career. As someone who grew up in the arts, it means the world to me that I get to do this kind of work for a living. Thank you, Venus de Sierra!
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy art nudes the most, which can look like a lot of things… As a dancer with no formal commercial or figure modeling background, I initially defaulted to dynamic, movement-oriented posing, which became my niche. Now I am intrigued by more subtle, painterly, classic figure posing and imagery, and I’m noticing a shift in my portfolio as I veer in that direction.
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
I look to see if our styles align, make sure they have decent references, a good sense of humor and laid-back personality, and most importantly, if they are curious or passionate about fine art photography. That said, I work with photographers of all experience levels and from all walks of life because we have that one thing in common. The variety of photographers I work with definitely makes this job all the more fascinating.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
Oh gosh! I am a bit shy to name-drop some models who inspire me but here goes… Lately, I have been super inspired by evocative portraiture, narrative, classic figure art nudes, and editorial art nudes. Some models who I think exude these aesthetics and moods are Anoush Anou, Maya Tihtiyas, Virbus Femina, and Meghan Claire. I will always love the dynamic, movement-art stuff that was initially my brand, but I am playing with expanding my posing range and changing my brand to something less “posey” and more “atmospheric.” These particular models have mastered this type of art.
My dream shoot would be to pose for an album cover of a musician who I really respect and admire. Nick Cave, Joni Mitchell, Dave Byrne, REM, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and Weyes Blood, just to name a few.
How important is social media in your success?
I hate to admit it, but social media is my most integral marketing tool. Initially, when I made my Instagram account, the site was really cracking down on censorship. As a new model, I didn’t really know how to work with what I had. However, I’ve learned some tools and tricks here and there over the last year on how to gain more visibility. Now it’s working to my advantage! Furthermore, a lot of my photoshoots are booked via Instagram and Facebook so their presence in my life is an absolute necessity. However, I am a workaholic and a total social media addict. That said, these platforms have become my most hated ally.
I am a practitioner of a movement practice called Contact Improv. Many photographers I have worked with have heard me geek out about it. It’s a partnered “formless dance form” that relies on gravity, trust, and moving through various points of contact. It has informed a lot of my posing and is a great therapeutic tool. I used to co-facilitate the weekly jam here in Santa Cruz before COVID-19 hit. I look forward to resurrecting it when dance facilities reopen. I also love hiking, connecting with friends, journaling, yowling to my moody playlists, and diving deeper into my own photography.
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Don’t be afraid to ask for support from other models, find out where in the US or in the world your biggest market is, discover your superpowers and biggest challenges as a freelancer (it’s not for everyone), and finally, have fun! This work can be grueling at times, and it is also the best job I have ever had. Enjoy it, savor it, and be safe.
