Interview with Ari Claire
Ari Claire is a 25-year old model residing in San Diego, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am 25 years old, originally from Washington state, but now living in San Diego. I am married with two very spoiled cats. I work as a technical support specialist, and also make costumes for commission on the side. My hobbies include costuming (cosplay), fashion design, Japanese animation, reading, and other “nerdy” entertainment like tabletop role-playing games and comics.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I first got a taste for modeling when helping out my sister in high school, so around ten years ago. She was learning photography then, so my friends and I jumped at every opportunity to get in front of her camera. In college, I started working with other photographers through Model Mayhem, gaining more experience and broadening my portfolio. Now I still use Model Mayhem, but also have a network of photographers that I like and have worked with in the past. I typically go to them first when I have a new costume to shoot.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I would like to see myself grow as a cosplayer, both in my abilities with costuming and modeling those costumes. I don’t plan to model or do costuming professionally, but seeing my hard work recognized really means a lot to me even if it is “just a hobby”.
I hope to be able to build up a solid fan base in the next few years, and definitely don’t see myself stopping any time soon!
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I do around one solid photoshoot a month, but because a lot of what I do involves costuming, there are many hours of planning, sewing, and constructing props that go into it before any photos are actually taken. With the fashion photography, I do make a lot of the pieces used, but a lot of it is also planning and organizing. Shooting is usually fairly simple and straightforward–one location, one photographer, and around fifteen finished shots. They usually last around two hours.
For runway work, it’s only for alternative fashion, and usually once or twice a year.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
Some photographers are just a joy to work with–they give good directions, and we always end up with beautiful results. Those shoots are always the best. Another really fun experience was doing runway modeling for Korean alternative fashion brand “Haenuli” at a convention.
I haven’t had many bad experiences, but there was one occasion where my friend and I were grabbed by a very pushy photographer at a convention, and he wouldn’t leave us alone for almost an hour!
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I work with friends a lot doing “relationship” photos for certain characters, and it’s always a fun challenge posing intimately with another person. Holding a serious, romantic pose for minutes at a time really tests my limits, and usually devolves into laughter!
I’ve also been called a princess by little girls who want to take pictures with me while doing fashion shoots–it’s so cute!
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Since I primarily model as a hobby, I don’t have to deal with the industry too much. I think it would be nice if people could carry themselves on their work alone, rather than the people they know, but that’s a reality of any kind of show business.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I go to the gym five days a week, and do a mix of cardio and weights. I try to eat fairly high protein, and usually eat pretty clean–though I do cheat a lot on weekends! I don’t drink alcohol or eat red meat, which helps a lot, but even with my regular diet I still count calories on week days in order to maintain the right balance: believe it or not, I actually have trouble eating ENOUGH calories!. Fitness is something I care a lot about, and it impacts my life in little ways every single day.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I really like heavy metal music! People are really surprised to hear that, because I don’t look like the kind of person now who would be into that kind of thing. My favorite bands are power metal bands like Blind Guardian, Sonata Arctica, Keldian, and Kamelot.
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
Sometimes I wish I were shorter–it would make it easier to find clothes!–but in general, there’s not much that I would want to change about myself. I love my body, and I love my brain!
What superpower do you wish you had? Why?
I wish that I could have the power to teleport! It would make traveling to conventions and seeing family so much easier (and cheaper). There are so many places that I want to visit, so a hassle-free magical method of traveling would be incredibly convenient–as long as I could take my husband along, of course!
Visit Ari Claire’s website for more photos and information