Blog Archives

Oct 19 2014

Interview with Amanda Whipple — Professional Dancer

Amanda Whipple is a 24-year old model residing in San Francisco, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a Bay Area, California Native dancing my way through this crazy thing called life. Being an artist has been a struggle, but I consider it a blessing to follow my passion. When I started dancing, I was just 3 years old, and I have never wanted to stop. After getting my BA in Dance, I started focusing on teaching, choreographing and performing.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

Opportunities to model found me through my qualities as a dancer. Photographers were intrigued with working specifically with a trained ballerina. Majority of my shoots and videos are all dance related, so I love the fact that I can fuse dancing and modeling together.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

This past year has really brought me to a place in my life, where everything is right where it needs to be, and I’m so grateful. I just finished filming a new show airing this Fall and I stay busy teaching and modeling. In the next couple years, I want to travel worldwide to teach and perform. Ultimately, I plan on starting my own company and a studio that provides education in all forms of dance and health.

Amanda Whipple standing like a ballet dancer at a pierHow often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

90% of my modeling has something to do with movement. I choose projects based on their relevance to dance. I’m definitely not limited to dance projects, and I love shooting for events that benefit charitable causes. If I’m approached with an amazing theme or idea I’m all for it! I prefer performance jobs, but I take on pretty much anything that comes my way, either print, runway, commercials, films, and more.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

So far, I’ve only had positive experiences when it comes to modeling. I’m pretty selective when it comes to who I’m working with, so I think that has a lot to do with it.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

There’s been a few instances during a shoot, when a pedestrian walks up and asks to take a picture with you, or is interested in where they can see the photos and video. It gives you that boost of confidence as a model, that you’re actually saying something through your work.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I’m in the studio dancing abut 5 days a week. The other 2 days I’m at the gym either strength training or taking a yoga class. As most people know, nutrition is key to a dancer’s career. To me, it’s not about how many pounds you weigh, it’s about how you feel. I’m a Vegetarian, so I’m always aware of what I’m feeding my body. I typically eat veggies, fruits, and fish for protein. Oh yeah, and coffee, lots of it.

Amanda Whipple face closeup lips with saltPlease share something people don’t know about you.

I used to choreograph and write songs when I was little. I would teach the neighbor kids and then set up a talent show for the whole complex to watch us perform.

Would you change anything about yourself?

Everyone has their flaws, and yes I’ve had thoughts about what I would change about myself. I’ve always wanted to be taller, but at the same time I love the fact that I’m petite. I am who I am, and at the end of the day I wouldn’t change a thing.

What superpower do you wish you had? Why?

Teleporting! In my busy and hectic life, I would love to avoid traffic in any way possible, not to mention, you could literally travel anywhere, anytime…freakin’ awesome.

Visit Amanda Whipple’s website for more photos and information

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Aug 17 2014

Interview with Tatiana Paris

Tatiana Paris is a 21-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in Hollywood, FL, and moved to Los Angeles just three months ago. My birth name is Tatiana Chichersky but my whole family goes by the stage name Paris. I grew up in a traveling theatre troupe called the “Goose Family” so we all went with Paris!.

When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I started modeling at about 14. I was really attracted to artsy images and just wanted to be part of that. My childhood friend was a makeup artist and she would do makeup experiments on me and shoot it. I guess that’s where it started! Now, I’ve modeled in Europe and up the East Coast. I live in Los Angeles and continue to do modeling whenever I can.

Tatiana Paris upside downWhat are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

I love modeling but my main goal is acting and film. I hope to be involved in as many indie and artsy projects as possible! I plan on pursuing both fields.

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

My work schedule varies but I usually do anywhere from 2 to 4 photoshoots a week. They mostly are in the commercial, art or glamour genre.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

The best one when I recently did an underwater shoot that got picked to be on Vogue Italia’s website! So that’s pretty cool!

The worst one, despite the fact that  I haven’t had too many terrible experiences luckily, was when I had one shoot a few years ago where the photographer wanted me to pose with pool floaty toys. Fully clothed but just smiling with like pool noodles. Strange.

Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

I’m sure this is the most common of answers but I would love to alter the idea of beauty in this industry. Although, I do see some change starting in the industry’s view is still very skewed and narrow.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I exercise around 5 to 6 days a week. Some swimming but mostly ballet and dance.

I try to eat healthy for the most part. I do have a legitimate sweet tooth so cake and chocolate are definitely in my diet.

Tatiana Paris wearing a bikini at the beachPlease share something people don’t know about you.

I was homeschooled from preschool to college.

I have a ferocious devil cat that I adore.

I’m of Ukrainian and Italian descent.

I speak Latin!

I’m an enormous classic movie buff!

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

In the modeling industry it would be nice to be like 4 inches taller but I can live with it.

I’d be mega lying if I said I never thought of altering some aspect of myself but I’m happy in my skin.

What is your favorite thing to do alone?

I surprisingly get this question a lot! I think people are always expecting something dark or kinky. I basically like playing guitar and Neopets in my alone time. I’ve been playing neopets for like 11 years. If you don’t know what that is, its basically a kids game where you take care of imaginary pets. Lame.

Visit Tatiana Paris’s website for more photos and information

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Jul 18 2014

Interview with Venus Leone – The smartest model in the world?

Venus Leone is a 25-year old model from Los Angeles, California. She’s of Italian/Brazilian descent and speaks no less than seven languages fluently. Whoever said pretty girls aren’t smart?

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Besides having modeled all my life, I am a certified linguist fluent in seven languages, audio engineer, music producer, classically trained BGirl and actress. I was born in Rimini, Italy and grew up there until my family and I moved to Switzerland when I was 8 years old. My father is Italian and my mother is black from Brazil. I like to indicate the black because in Brazil black equals poor and my mother has an interesting story on her own, leaving to Europe without finishing high school and returning to her country 30 years later with 28 diplomas, running her own stores and businesses.

Venus Leone in the rainWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I think my mother is to blame for my passion for photography. Ever since I was a baby, I have been photographed by professional photographers. My mom used to do some modeling work and at least once a year she would set up a shoot for me and her. Through the rise of social media, we have created a collection of pictures. As a kid, I was hired on the runway more often than as an adult. I was the tallest of my age until I stopped growing and everybody passed me. My first print job, was also for my mother’s first spa at the age of 13. My picture with a rose painted on my face, showing my pretty long nails went around quickly in our town and my career as a model started. I have also danced ballet since that age of 4, which also gave me a great posture and athletic figure for the world of photography and the chance to work for a variety of clients.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

I am at a point in my life where I am enjoying every moment. I have had all kind of – as they call it: “real jobs” with a degree in business and at the same time have had the pleasure to spread my wings in the entertainment industry. As an omni artist, I would love to have my own companies flourish in the next 5 years. I have an entertainment company called Goddess Image, VKSwizz Music and Post Productions, Swizz Poetry Publishing and the image of Venus Leone to nurture. My first album is out and I am working on an album trilogy. My dream of a lead role as the hero or villain in a scifi movie came true and now I am working on my first song in a movie and it’s big paycheck. Where I see myself in 5 years? Hopefully getting an Oscar for best soundtrack 😉

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I do catwalk maybe once a year. Since I am not tall enough, usually it’s designer friends that ask me to walk for them. Print and music videos are my specialty. I have done all kind of photography, from fashion to dance magazines to artistic nudity. Well, I stop at that, since I become very shy in my birthday suit, but I will rock the hack out of a bikini.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

I guess the best experiences are the once where everything is going wrong but the gig ended up successful. My favorite jobs are with designers. Even though they can be crazy and yell around sometimes, I love the creative and hectic environment. The worst experience, I have had has been on music videos with bad productions, where the models are freezing because the shoot is going into the night and we may have to jump in the water. Some of those bad experiences end with not getting paid at all. But there are funny experiences too, like being recognized by the Hispanic lady at the Mc Donald’s by my house because she saw me on Telemundo’s 12 Corazones. That was actually one of my favorite gigs. It’s no drama, quick and fun. You get to meet sexy people and the producers of Telemundo, everything ends on time and you walk out with check in one hand and food in the other.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

Besides of the Telemundo story, there has been plenty of unforgettable moments but here is a juicy one: I was young and needed money, so I submitted my pictures answering an ad for Playboy style pictures that offered a few hundred dollars. When I arrived at the address, I found out that the pictures were for an adult “web modeling” page. At that moment, I got really insecure about the gig but I really needed that cash, so I went for it but kept it real with the photographer. For some reason telling the truth got me into taking those pictures instead of feeling shy, and I remember the photographer blushing and telling me that I was making him feel all shy now. There was a great chemistry between the two of us and I actually enjoyed the shoot. After paying me, he told me that he would not release the pictures. I checked a few times and I never saw them online and never applied for such a shoot again though it was an extraordinary experience.

Venus Leone modeling a dress inspired by natureIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

Good question… There are always pros and cons about any industry. I would like girls not to be so skinny and get their health into trouble, but I am glad to see that the commercial industry is listening and changing the ideals a bit.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I grew up with home cooked food Italian and Brazilian food. I eat pretty much everything and anything I want but besides having a sweet tooth, I crave healthy stuff. My favorite snack is biting into a tomato, dropping salt into it after each bight. I love to cook and explore cuisines but luckily I don’t like too much fried and greasy food. When I crave fast food, it’s Fatburger.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I am a computer nerd and love science.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

If I could, or better what I am working on is patience. I would like to be a more patient person.

Visit Venus Leone’s website for more photos and information

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Jul 17 2014

Interview with Vivian V Taylor

Vivian V Taylor is a 24-year old model from Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi! I’m Vivian, I was born and raised in Connecticut, living between my parent’s and friend’s houses, I definitely grew up with the concept that it takes a village to raise a child. I have so many hobbies, I love trying new things; ballet, cooking, singing, car racing, horseback riding, whichever. My true passions are sewing; I run a handbag company, yoga and attempting to cook. I have an Associates from FIT in fashion design and I’m currently finishing up my BA in Apparel Industry Management.

Vivian V Taylor in black and whiteWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I was always interested in fashion and modeling. I was that kid at school trying fashion risks, when I turned 18 I started modeling for local art classes and stumbled across Model Mayhem and that’s when I started doing print work. Since then I’ve had the pleasure to work with some great photographers and artists.

What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

Both goals are so deeply intertwined and blurred together. In five years I plan to have turned my handbag company; One Tuff Chick into a lifestyle brand that offers fashions, home goods and jewelry. I also hope to own property by then, though in Los Angeles, that might be a little up in the air. Another thing I hope to accomplish is to really get into the pinup community and become a retro model, pinups for me are the definition of classic beauty. I’ve always been inspired by that lifestyle, my clothes, makeup, hair and music.

How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I took a break from modeling when I had moved to Los Angeles, I wanted to settle in and get my ducks in a row first. But when I still lived in Connecticut I often had many shoots a month. I’ve done many fashion/glamour shots, implied and some nude. I’ve never had an issue with shooting sexy images, I just always made sure that whatever I was shooting, that I would be comfortable and proud to show them to my family. I figured if I couldn’t do that, than that was my line of what’s appropriate for me and what isn’t.

Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

Thankfully I’ve never had bad experiences. The closest I think I’ve come is that a photographer misrepresented what he wanted from a shoot so I was confused when I arrived. Then on top of it I had the worst stomach ache ever. Luckily that shoot ended early.

My best experiences are photo shoots that are done outside. I feel they are more organic looking than in front of a plan backdrop and add contrast and interest to an images.

Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?

A photographer that I shot with very often would always joke, “Are you ready to make some porn?” It became an inside joke for us, and then we then have intense ten minute shoots that created some amazing images. I love that the move you develop a working relationship with someone, the better you work together, the better the images are and the less you have to sit down and explain the idea out. We’ve shot in some cool places, a store’s boiler room, a pawn shop, a burned down bank, we were constantly thinking of interesting and new places to shoot.

Vivian V Taylor checking for rainIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

That people should be more embracing, I feel that there’s no reason to put people down. Whether it’s to help people grow in their profession, I’ve found that the minute you start to get comfortable with a way of modeling/shooting, the images start lacking.

The rudeness factor is something that needs to be done away with, I’ve found that working with some photographers gets so uncomfortable because they think that they’re the shit and get so rude during shoots. There’s no reason for it.

The last big thing for be would be body standards, there’s no reason for people to be starving themselves to get a “perfect” body. People come in all shapes and sizes and it’s not our place to judge, belittle or put them down. As long as they’re healthy and happy than that’s all that matters.

Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

I used to run a lot, I had the perfect spot back home. Now I really just try to always each a salad with dinner, stop eating when I’m full and drink two glasses of green tea a day. If I start to get uncomfortable with how my body looks I’ll add in some simple exercises like push-ups, crunches and leg lifts. I’ve gotten lucky with a decent metabolism so it’s always just been about eating well and toning up my body. Lately I’ve been adding yoga in the morning and night to add flexibility and encourage a goodnight’s sleep.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I had an opportunity to travel when I was in school, so I got to spend two months in an eight foot camper with my family, touring America. Because of that I’ve seen almost every Civil War battle field and monument, and it’s become a running joke in the family when we vacation if we’ll get the chance to see anymore.

Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?

My nose, sometimes I feel that I have a Louis nose (from Family Guy), obviously it’s just my brain over thinking of it. Plus on most days I like it, but it’s that photo every once in a while that I’m like, “Oh no!”. And to be able to roll out of bed with a good hair day.

Visit Vivian V Taylor’s website for more photos and information

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