Interview with Alyssa-Marie Papaleo
Alyssa-Marie Papaleo is a 24-year old model residing in Fresno, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Alyssa-Marie Papaleo, I am a Model and Photographer. I am from Fresno, California. Born from an Italian father and a Canadian mother. I enjoy both Photography, and modeling as well as taking care of my father and his Cat Rescue Foster House. I like to dance, or go traveling in my spare time, which is hardly ever.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
In 2010, I first got started by filling in for a model that flaked, and I was supposed to be the second photographer. They all agreed that they like what I was wearing, and that the light was too nice to let go to waste. By the end of the shoot the were impressed with my ability to pose as well as know where my light was, but mainly take direction very well. But I had take fashion design in high school, but moved and had to discontinue that. Howeveer, I’ve had a camera in and at all times documenting everything. In college I chose Photography as my AS Major.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
After losing most of my photo and memories due to moving and couch surfing, photography helps me recover new memories. After I graduate with my AS degree in May 2015, I would love to attend FIMD for Fashion, or The Arts Institute to further my education in photography. But I want to continue pursuing my model career. I think by 5 to 10 years, I will not being living at home, and I will be taking care of myself, working doing photography and modeling and school if I can afford it. And I will do modeling until I can’t anymore.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I started off with Trade shoot and group shoots, mainly for networking, learning from other photographers and models as well as some basic experience. Then I noticed many photographers wanted to work with me, as well as other models, and that they were referring me for jobs and gigs. I shot as an extra for a movie filmed locally named Showboys, released in 2013, and two short films in 2013 apart of local film festival.
As of recently I can only take paid shoots, because my schedule is limited; Last year of College, Two part-time jobs, Disabled father; Cat fostering, as well as all the normal daily stuff like eat, sleep, clean and study and shoot, so I plan everything!
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Most of my events, interviews and films have been a great experience.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Height! Not just for me but for lots of people. I don’t think there should be a standard. Models come in all shapes and sizes. Because there are plenty of women who look the part to be a model but can’t. I am constantly booked as a surprise, they say wow you photographer tall, and we always come to the conclusion that I am proportioned, even at a shorter height I have learned to model for my body shape. And there are plenty of unique women that can model.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I am a very active person even though now I don’t do much of sports. I used to be in Softball in elementary, and I was on the Swim, water-polo, and dive team part of high school. But my mother said I would get bored in the house and climb on things and practically be working out all the time as a child. Now I am a very fast paced person, I make a list of everything I need to do for the day and try to do as much of it as I can as soon as I can, because I never get it all done. Eating healthy is a big thing for me because I am a very sick person after year of bad eating. Being skinny can bother me when others point it out, because I can’t do very much more to gain weight than I am already doing. I am doing my best to get the healthy food I need with what little money I can save.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I can suck my stomach in – organs actually shift into the upper abdominal cavity. I can also create a t-shape and make it “wave”. I can also plug my nose while swimming with my top lip, after have ripped it in pre-school.
Would you change anything about yourself?
Not really because if I had was just able to provide for myself my body and mind would be back to normal and not falling in and out of balance. Normal eating and a regular exercise, and regular income would help me change what I need to change.
Visit Alyssa-Marie Papaleo’s website for more photos and information