Blog Archives

Nov 26 2014

Interview with Nirvana LaMuse — Fabulous & Crazy

Nirvana LaMuse is a 22-year old model residing in Denver, Colorado.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in New York City, and then moved to Miami when my mom re-married a super rich old Jewish man. I went to high school there, then college in Gainesville, short stint in the tribal tattoo capital of the world…Tampa. Now I live in Denver Colorado and I love it. I have an older sister named Shane and she is a high school teacher in Miami, my dad is a psychologist for the criminally insane in NYC, and my mom is an artist in Miami. My hobbies include, looking good, being fabulous, having fun, shopping, traveling, and starting a million different things but never finishing any of them.

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

I had photographer friends ask to take pictures of me in college and that’s basically how it started out.

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

My ultimate goal in life is to fall in love, and be in love. That has always been my dream, to find another person that is perfect for me and I’m perfect for them. Now something a little less like a romantic movie on netflix I want to buy property and start my own business in the next 5 years.

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

I have only done photoshoots so far and I really enjoy it. Usually I have a large influence on what the picture is, although sometimes I do things I don’t personally like that the photographer wants for their portfolio. I don’t post any of the pictures that do not show me the way I like. People say that to be a model you should be versatile and always able to look different, and although that is true there is another side people don’t normally talk about. That being, having a signature look. I prefer the later. I think I am capable of looking completely different and doing a wide range of things I just prefer to maintain a personal identity that always looks similar.

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

The worst would be shooting with a photographer that sucks. You wonder how they got so far because none of their pictures turn out that good. One in particular made me feel very uncomfortable and the pictures looked terrible so it was basically a waste of my time. The best would be every other shoot where the pictures turn out fabulous, I have fun, and get to be creative.

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

Nope

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

Wish we got paid more… I mean doesn’t everyone?. It’s all about that money honey.

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

I do not do any sports, I don’t work out, and I definitely do not eat healthy. My diet consists of eating out, rice krispy treats, pre-made meals from whole foods, and soda. As far as exercise goes I hate the gym, I find it depressing and unbearably annoying. I love yoga but I have a hard time being consistent. My body looks amazing and I think if I worked out I would get too skinny and toned very quickly and I like to maintain a certain level of feminine squish.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I hate water. I never ever ever ever drink water, I absolutely will not drink it. Juice, soda, wine, or nothing.

Would you change anything about yourself?

Yes, my second toe is longer than my first toe and it has always annoyed me. I know they say that means you’re wiser or smarter or whatever, all I know is my feet would look a lot cuter if my second toe was shorter.

If you were the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?

If I was a man for a day the first and only thing I would do all day is have sex. I’ve always thought of that and would love to know what it feels like and what it looks like and just everything about it. It would be a bonus if somehow I could actually have sex with my girl self… although it might be hard to be in two places at once.

Visit Nirvana LaMuse’s website for more photos and information

Nov 23 2014

Interview with Sofia Novakova — Chameleon model/ Nerdy athlete

Sofia Novakova is a 24-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

You are what you do and think every day. I am naturally curious about many things and the era that would describe me best would be Renaissance- universal man, whose day can span from inventing a parachute in the morning to as far as observing stars at night. I was born in a little spa town in Slovakia, but immediately relocated to the capital city Bratislava. My roots are deeply encraved in me, which I feel intensely while travelling. This is one my biggest hobbies and I found that out when I was 18 years old taking up on Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage has opened my eyes and awaken an adventurer in me, that is ever hungry for new experiences.

My family is my life. I love every one of them, my mom is a strong and intelligent woman but most importantly she is kind, which gave me a lot to look up to growing up. My sister is a little devil with a good heart and challenges me every day. I used to love summers going to my grandparents’ house lost in the mountains of Slovak paradise. Being able to kind of “grow up in the nature” gave me the sense of true meaning of what is important in life and firmly set my priorities to focus on.

I think it’s great to combine knowledge and sports, like Greeks used to. I’m an athletic artist, I love to paint using duck-tape and sprays, box, run in the forest and do yoga in the morning listening to Maori songs by Kiri Te Kanawa or Nahko Bear. James Franco is similar- he is crazily witty, almost like an intellectual nerd but at the same time he makes this face and says “You’re peanut butter and jelly!” Most of my life I’ve done things that had something to do with art, theatre, film-making and education.

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

It started as an idea in high school, when by best friend Klara got a Canon camera for birthday. She wanted to do a photoshoot and since we both loved fashion, we decided that we would be first-timers for each other- her as a photographer and me as a model. Which made sense really because she was more introverted and I was an exhibitionist, who would dance Hip-Hop all the time.

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

What you make of your days now, creates series of consequential moments, that will form your future life. I have finished directing my first promotional sports video for my exercising group MITS -military training simulation- which I founded in order to get together a community of women who would like to just go in the forest and have a helluva good work-out. Seeing positive feedback makes it meaningful to me. Myself in ten years may be blurred, but my goal is quite clear. I want to be of contribution and leave a mark for future generation- kids of today will one day be the young adults dealing with the same issues as we are now, and to make it just a little nicer or easier for them would be a good way to go. I would like to make films and art that would articulate my observations and be of positive influence. I will do what it takes to incorporate exploring the world and having a peaceful home and a family. That’s what I need in personal life. And book. I wanna write a book. I love books.

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

I model every now and then, depends on the project. I need to find the person behind it smart and stimulating, someone who knows what he is doing and to whom I can relate to. I do videos and short movies too, because it is more organic and uses mediums such as movement, spoken word or music. It touches different areas like sport, lifestyle, enviroment, love and others. The possibilities are endless.

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

Everyone I worked with was amazing. My latest shooting was with Stefan Merriweather, LA based photographer and we went to work in this remote beach called the Wedge in Newport and it was awesome. It was all surfers and big waves and empty beaches. Reminded me of Hawaii.

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

I had to put on an alien costume and dance with it.

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

Just put more honesty to it.

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

I love this question.

Yes. Nutrition and sports- very big role in my life. I definitely put a lot of effort and thought into my every day diet and the way I schedule exercise. I wake up quite early in the morning, do my yoga for 30 to 40 minutes, eat breakfast which is oatmeal poured with hot water with cinnamon, bit of butter and honey. Usually I eat a lot of soups, tomato, cabbage or curcuma. I also like buckwheat that I put in pan along with lot of vegetables. I don’t eat that much meat, but I use onions, olive oil and lemon a lot for cooking. I additionally use vitamins if I work out a lot, magnesium, B6 and C will do. I go running three times a week at least and then there’s boxing…my grandma hates it, says it makes my shoulders wide, but I have just naturally well developed upper body.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

When I get cold feet I warm them up using hot water from the sink. It once happened in the kitchen too. I have repetitive dreams. I like to put salt on the bread that already has honey on it.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I am changing a little every day, I read a chapter per day from selected motivational books in the morning to set a good base-stone for my day. The more I read, the more I realize there is maybe not necessarily a lot to change, but definitely a lot to improve. My urge to speak when others do, for example, or be more patient, forgiving and you can always be more kind. That’s the best.

What is your favorite thing to do alone?

I put on earphones, get naked and dance like crazy to the remix of Party Up by DMX.

Nov 20 2014

Interview with Nikky Sky — Artistic Grad Student

Nikky Sky is a 22-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I am from Lake Tahoe, Nevada and couldn’t wait to get out of my small home town as soon as possible. However, every free moment I have now I think about going back to my family there!

I absolutely love to learn, read, practice yoga, run, work out, and keep myself in great shape. I also love to try new and exotic foods and am getting into mixology as well as being a serious foodie!

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

I got involved in modeling and acting when I was younger but sports sort of took over my life instead. I was injured and had several life altering knee surgeries and it killed my athletic drive. However, when I moved to LA, I started modeling professionally.

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

Finishing graduate school right now in marketing and finance is my number one goal. I obviously have other career goals linked to my degree but I personally want to be happy, healthy, successful and make my family proud in whatever I do.

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

I mostly model for fitness print, sports, bikini and clothing lines but I am also into glamour, makeup and hair prints as well!

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

My favorite shoots are always for local clothing lines and local businesses. The drive and energy I get from up and coming businesses is contagious.

Since I have moved to Los Angeles and most recently Hollywood, the biggest issues I have had with modeling are the flakes and phonies that this beautiful city is full of. I have been stood up and hit on more times by “professionals” more than I can count.

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

Living in Hollywood, nothing really surprises or embarrasses me anymore!!

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

Honestly, if I started to list the things I could change I would go on for hours and hours. Being exceptionally tall and thin is a stereotype of models across the world and being only 5’6 and a bit curvy I am trying to break those stereotypes.

In addition, the stereotypes of tattoos on models in my opinion is ridiculous. I have my fair share of tattoos and still model successfully. I wish more tattooed girls would get out there and show of their art work as well!

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

I run 5 days a week, practice yoga and meditation almost daily and I weight train as well. I eat organic, low calorie and low sugar diets but I eat as much as I want so I never feel starving. Health is a big part of my life but I try to be very conscious of it taking over my whole life.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Many people don’t know that I’m color blind! I confuse red-green, blue-yellow, blue-green and most purples tend to look the same as blues and greens to me!

Would you change anything about yourself?

I am constantly striving to be better. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I wish I could change that a bit. It makes me successful but it can also make me a little crazy sometimes!

How do you think you are most likely to die?

Definitely doing something crazy and adventurous. The crazier and more adrenaline pumping the activity, the more I want to do it!

Nov 10 2014

Interview with Reagan Savoie — From Introvert to Extrovert Model

Reagan Savoie is a 21-year old model residing in Redding, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana, went to school in Texas, and have lived in Utah and California as well. My family are very religious, conservative-Republicans. I have a very European-based lineage which I use to fondly refer to myself as a European Mutt when anyone asks. I am usually quite creative with my spare time. Filling it with reading new Sci-Fi series, painting and drawing, baking and cooking all sorts of new recipes, creating music on any of the three instruments I can play, out exploring parks, or playing at home with my pets.

Back when I lived in Texas we had a ranch where I would ride horses during the summer and on different breaks from school. I currently hold an Associates of Science degree and I love aviation! It was actually one of my degrees for a year but the school I was at messed up my transcripts so I went for a Bachelor’s in Tech Management and an Applied Associates of Science degree instead. I’m still flying however and plan to get my necessary licenses and certifications on my own time.

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

I was a child model from the time I was about a year and a half old with Kim Dawson and then switched to The Campbell Agency a few years later. Once I hit about 12 that died off due to the fact that I looked too old to do child modeling but was still too young to do adult modeling. I started doing some freelance work and got into photography in high school. Now I am a hobby photographer, and freelance model. I also dabble in hair, make-up, and fashion due to my first roommate in college.

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

Personally, I want to have every license and certification to become a Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings -CFI/II/MEI-. I want to become a well-respected model that is known for being smart as well as pretty. Professionally, I want to be doing something I love and am accomplished at. I want to be able to wake up every day being excited about what I’m going to be doing.

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

Mostly my early work consisted of fashion print work. I did have a few commercials but mainly I did posters and catalogs. In later years when I first began freelance work I was mostly helping people with their degree portfolios. They consisted of some artwork and fashion as well as glamour shots. Nowadays I’m focusing on broadening my spectrum from just photo shoots. I still consider myself mainly an art, fashion and glamour model but I also work in acting and sports work as well.

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

I remember one time I was helping one of my mom’s friends expand her portfolio for her photography degree. She had me all dolled up in this amazing vintage wedding dress that I thought was the coolest thing ever. My hair was done up in this messy-bun look, I had some pretty heavy makeup on, and the best part? This lady got a friend of hers who bred Irish wolfhounds to bring three of them out to our ranch to make this shot absolutely fantastic! The whole thing had this old-timey deep South feel to it and I had a blast.

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

One time when I was younger, I did a photo shoot for someone who wanted to show a cut family scene of a grandmother and her granddaughter eating some ice cream. I was like 7 at the time. Well the producer had mentioned ice cream and set this bowl in front of me and handed me a spoon. No one told me it wasn’t really ice cream in the bowl, so naturally I had to try it. It was actually just a mixture of butter and sugar. Not terrible, but you can imagine how disappointed I was that it wasn’t actually ice cream.

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

Hundreds of things, but one that I feel like is really prevalent this day and age is people -from agencies to photographers and others- taking advantage of young models who don’t have any experience or don’t know any better but will do just about anything they’re told in order to become famous. I realize that there are places that take great care to be fair with their models, but more and more I get people requesting to work with me that will tell me a shoot is for something that I’m perfectly fine with and then after I’ve spent my time getting ready, they want to change it to something erotic, unprofessional, or additional aspects that were not part of the original agreement they want for no extra charge. I have nothing against being sexy on camera or adding to a shoot, but be honest and straight with what you want to do beforehand so that the models can make informed decisions on what they are actually getting into.

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

I’ll admit I’m not the best role model when it comes to healthy eating habits -being from the South means that I love to eat good food-. However, I do try to maintain a healthy diet as much as possible. I love sports though. Throughout school I did soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cross country, and track. I still get out on occasion to play a game or to go for a run. Every now and then I’ll get in a fitness craze when I feel like I’m letting myself go or eating too much and I’ll do a couple weeks of Insanity or some other type of workout routine that includes daily cardio and stretches.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I am a total introvert. I have always been the shyest person in the room and even now I tend to stay in and read before going out to meet new people. But I try something new every day and I try to meet at least one new person every week. I keep on a constant smile when I’m out and about because you never know whose day you’ll brighten because of a simple smile.

Would you change anything about yourself?

The one and only thing I would change about myself is my scoliosis. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s when a person’s spine is curved or twisted for various reasons. Mine is because my spine is for a person much taller than I am. If my spine were completely straight I would be somewhere around 5’9″-5’10” -according to doctors- instead of the 5’6″ I’m at right now. Because of the lack of space for my spine, I have an S curve in it which makes stretching and staying flexible difficult but not impossible.

What is the one talent you wish you possessed?

I really want to learn falconry, also known as hawking. It’s where you hunt game with a trained hawk or other bird of prey of your choosing. The best way to do it is raise the bird yourself from a very young age. I think this would be the coolest thing ever because 1) It’s different, and 2) I would have my own personal bird of prey! I would probably go with an Aplomado Falcon personally. I actually have a picture with one on my Facebook page.

Visit Reagan Savoie’s website for more photos and information

Oct 30 2014

Interview with Madeline M — Entrepreneur Model

Madeline M is a 25-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born and raised for 21 years in a small town called Healdsburg where I grew up knowing that the vineyards were the fences of my home. It’s a beautiful place to grow up. Although, you learn to appreciate and be grateful where you come from when you get a taste of the fast city life -Los Angeles- but I knew it as, La La Land. I enjoyed outdoor activities from Camping, Kayaking, Fire safety, hiking, and more. I enjoyed the Theatre, Broadway, Dance, and Film. I picked up the hobbies such as Makeup Artistry, Film, Acting, Dance, and Poi Spinning.

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

I was a makeup artist and I worked with models from agency approved photographers in LA. I saw and learned first hand how it all worked. Knowing what I know now, I can bring way more to the table than I could before. LA is a whole other package to endure. It was for years though that I would hear once in a while, whether in my video production class or doing makeup gigs, that my face needed to be in front instead of behind the camera. So… I took a shot with my friend called courage.

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

I want to be my own product, just being me, but collaborate with amazing talented artists from around the world no matter how small the sketches are.. I want to create something big with the creative concepts I can put into my modeling for your eyes to see but developed with an amazing team. Maybe in 5 to 10 years I’m my own boss to other beautiful model creatures that are also trying to be something in LA, but it’s their stories that they tell which make them beautiful.

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

As often as I can and depends on the creativity of the work and who the photographer or filmmakers port is like.

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 on a gluten free diet and do poi, dance, and acyro yoga

Would you change anything about yourself?

I tried that and someone upstairs took it away and said it’s not normal too.

Where is the weirdest place you’ve ever peed?

Alright… Paint the picture… It’s raining and my boyfriend and I are camping. well, I have to pee and it’s definitely cold,raining, and wet outside. There’s a tarp that is covering the top of the tent but the opening is by the door so the tarp is able to move as it dangles. My boyfriend and I have been doing a lot of acyro yoga, so suddenly, an idea came to play. Why not hold my arms and I’ll squat my butt out of the tent door and just pee. I mean, the tent was on a hill and there was a tarp on top AND bottom, so that meant everything would wash and run downhill. My boyfriend is just down with the whole idea right away, I mean I really had to go and I just didn’t want to dress and go out in the rain. So there I go, I squat out my butt, the top tarp that dangles down is against my bare butt and my arms are extended out to my boyfriend who is just holding me with a firm grip while I pee outside the tent and it runs downhill…. I was a genius in those woods….

Oct 28 2014

Interview with Victoria Sea — Short but talented

Victoria Sea is a 18-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I am a born and breed California girl. I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area with my parents, and my older twin sisters. I have lived there all of my life, except for three months I spent in Maui, and three months I spent in Nashville. Traveling is one of my life passions, and I do not feel comfortable leaving a place until I feel like I have seen it completely. I fell in love with swimming from the first time I ever got in a pool, and have been nicknamed “Fishy” ever since.

I grew up dancing, singing, and acting, but when I had my first photo shoot, and knew that that was the path for me. I have interests in careers, besides modeling, such as fashion, real estate, and anything that could get me a job by the beach for the rest of my life. Some of my favorite things are rice, bathing suits, peonies, the Pacific Ocean, rainy weather, and Christmas lights.

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

I had my first photo shoot when I was 16. My boyfriend was an incredible musician and had all this passion and direction for what he wanted to do with his life, and it would always drive me crazy that I didn’t have the same kind of love for anything. I knew I loved being out there in the industry, and wanted to be a face people recognized, but I didn’t love any of the things that could get me there: singing, dancing or acting.

One day, I was on tumblr and I saw this picture of Rosie Huntington-Whitely, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of how rad it would be to see a picture of myself like that. I told my dad I wanted to model, and so he got out his camera and started taking pictures of me. Still in my school uniform, hair a mess, I posed for those pictures like no tomorrow. They came out awful, and I never showed a soul but that’s when I really knew that this was something I enjoyed. On my first photo shoot with Rage Models, where I was previously signed but not anymore, the hair, the makeup, the outfits. I was in heaven. From that test shoot in the owner’s house, I knew that this was a dream I had to chase.

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

My personal goal is to find what makes me happy, and to chase that. For now, that’s modeling, traveling, and constantly being around the people that make me smile.

My professional goal is to prove that you don’t have to be 5’10 to be a model. I believe that although I am vertically challenged, I have everything it takes to be a well-known and working model in the industry. I hope that in 5 to 10 years, I am modeling full time, traveling the world, and showing people that if you really want something, ignore the odds and the restrictions, and make it happen anyway.

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

This summer I really started getting into it, and had at least two photo shoots each week. It’s a bit slower right now, while I am in school but I am actually changing some things for next semester so that I can focus more on modeling. I do mainly photo shoots, but I have done a few videos as well. My shoots have been mostly fashion and for clothing companies.

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

My very best experience so far absolutely has to be Project Mermaids. Project Mermaids is a save our oceans campaign, where they take pictures of celebrities and models as mermaids to ultimately raise money to support saving our oceans. I’ve been obsessed with mermaids for as long as I can remember, so this was absolutely a dream come true. I took land pictures, and underwater pictures at Catalina Island. They just recently had their kick off party in Venice, California, where there was a 9-foot print of me as a mermaid in the center of the gallery, surrounded by celebrities and other models. It was the coolest.

I haven’t had many bad experiences modeling, except for the occasional scams that I almost fall for and or the creepy photographer that texts me pictures of his face before our photo shoot.

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

Not much, I was one time at this one photo shoot that started at 9am. The photographer, let’s just say, was not my style. This person wanted to place me for every shot, tilting my head just a little bit before taking the picture. It was so painfully slow, I was there until 7pm, not to mention I was only running on 3 hours of sleep.

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

My biggest frustration about the modeling industry is the height discrimination. If you are not at least 5’8, agencies won’t even look at your profile. This is my biggest challenge for sure. As a 5’5 model, getting signed has not exactly been a walk in the park. But there are other ways to model besides agencies, and it’s definitely taught me a lesson in fighting for something you really want. I would love to see agencies lower the height requirement for print models, not everyone that’s applying wants to walk runway!

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 yogi. I do yoga every chance I have, whether it’s going to a class or whipping out my matt at the end of the night when I really need a good meditation. Yoga is really important for strength building. I accompany yoga with Pilates and sometimes spin to work out all muscles, but the yoga classes have my heart. Other than that, I run almost everyday, and swim whenever I can. Gyms and me do not get along. I have to be outside, or in a class. I am a very picky eater. I have always loved healthy foods, and live for my local Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. I was a vegetarian for three years. Now I’ve added chicken to my diet, but basically stick to a vegetarian meal plan.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I am a Sagittarius, I can touch my tongue to my nose, I’m allergic to dairy, chocolate, and onions, water and tea are my favorite beverages, I absolutely hate texting, I would take coffee bean over Starbucks any day, if I could sell my soul to turn my legs into fins, I would seriously consider it, I love the sun, but I also love sweaters and wish that they would just get along and let me have both, I have to sleep on the left side of the bed, I have a phobia of feet, and I buy myself sunflowers regularly.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I’m not perfect, no one, but Blake Lively is, but I try really hard not to look in the mirror and create a list of things that I wish were different. Sure, if I could have a perfect body without working out, and be a few inches taller, I wouldn’t complain, but I think these imperfections are in my life for a reason. Having to work out constantly builds character, and makes you much more proud of the result than if it were just always there. And being short has made modeling harder for me, but has shown me a place where I could make a difference.

Where is the weirdest place you’ve ever peed?

One time when I was much younger, I went to an elementary school playground with my friend. I really needed to pee, but it was a saturday that meant the bathrooms were locked. We had walked a long way to get to the park, and we weren’t ready to go home yet, so I decided to squat in the bushes, no big deal. But right as I started to go, a security guard came out of no where, my friend dove was behind the bush to warn me but it was too late, I was mid stream. She quite literally cupped her hands under me and caught my pee to stop the sound so we wouldn’t get caught. Talk about a friendship right there.

Visit Victoria Sea’s website for more photos and information

Oct 26 2014

Interview with Freya Gallows

Freya Gallows is a 24-year old model residing in San Jose, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I grew up in the Silicon Valley and originally went to school for engineering before opting to spend my youth stumbling around the world without a plan instead. I don’t really live anywhere; I spent the beginning of this year living out of a backpack around Southeast Asia and Australia, went to Reno to spend six months building Embrace, which is a large art Burning Man art project, will spend the fall roaming and camping around California and the winter home-basing in New Mexico in order to hunker down for a few projects that I haven’t been able to work on from the road.

Modeling has been my primary source of income for the last five years, though I’m just as much a dabbler as I am a wanderer, and I’ve also gotten work teaching skiing, practicing Thai massage, harvesting beets, freelance writing, building trails, I did a lot of rock work on the PCT, operating heavy machinery, taking care of horses, and I’ve spent much of the last few years volunteering for Burning Man, for which this year I spent six exhausting months on the build crew for Embrace. It’s both my greatest fortune and somewhat limiting that I do not have a singular passion to devote my focus to, and that my interests diverge into a squillion facets.

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

The “how” came before I knew the “why”: Initially I didn’t pursue modeling so much give in to it. At twelve, I was a really tall, gawky little string bean and my parents were approached about my potential as a future model, though they thought it’d be damaging for me to enter that world as a kid, and I vehemently agree. Once puberty did its job, I was still tall and thin, but not “agency-standard” tall and thin, so I never looked into modeling as an option until I was approached by a photographer who told me about freelance modeling. After that, it wasn’t until two years after I’d signed up for a Model Mayhem account that I went to a shoot. I was curious and nervous but a bit reluctant.

At that first shoot, I unexpectedly found myself completely transformed, free to explore a character. Modeling has gotten me more acquainted with my own body, and with sides of myself I don’t often see: I’m not someone people would describe as glamorous, girly, flirtatious, or fashionable. It’s play and experimentation, and it’s freeing.

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

Well, I’m planning to spend next spring doing a modeling tour up the Atlantic Coast, Florida through Maine, on a bicycle. The prospect’s terrifying to me, which is why I’m making myself do it.

Otherwise, modeling-wise, I’d like to get my butt over to Europe for a tour; I’m thinking next summer I’ll skip Burning Man and do just that. And I’ve always got my mental fangirl-list of models and photographers I want to work with or meet or get to know better.

As for five- or ten-year plans, I don’t believe in planning that far into the future; I’m a creature of change, which I think we all are, if we’re experiencing healthy growth, and have no idea who I’ll be or what I’ll want in five years, it’ll depend on what I experience and learn in the meantime. If I try to limit my five-years-into-the-future self to pursuing what I think I’ll want, right now, then I wouldn’t have as much room to explore or change.

Please tell us about the most memorable experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

There was one time I got to crush a car with a track loader. Another time where we were interrupted by a herd of very curious cows; one came up and started licking my elbow. Another time when a hair stylist turned my hair into a three-foot-wide cloud, which I had on the one-hour train ride home. Once I posed in a zentai suit and ankle cuffs in an old elementary school that the photographer had turned into a studio, darkroom, and bondage dungeon, there was still a lot of memorabilia left over from its days as an elementary school, which added a fantastic dimension of creepiness to the place. One shoot had me wielding an oxyacetylene torch. I’ve done multiple-day shoots in national parks, I’ve done shoots where I’ve spent hours in a make-up chair, I’ve been suspended from the ceiling, and I’ve posed for daguerreotypes and ambryotypes.

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

Absolutely. I’ve been trying to change it in my own small ways.

When I modeled in Australia for the first time, I was shocked by how well I was treated; it made me realize fully, for the first time, how much I and other freelance models in America put up with being disrespected, emotionally abused, physically violated, and financially shortchanged, without even realizing it. Of course, many American photographers are great people. But there are also photographers who get away with a lot, especially if they’ve got a big name. I’m sure anyone reading this can think of at least one or two famous photographers whose track records of physical or sexual assault haven’t slowed down their careers.

I’ve tried to combat this by putting my foot down firmly about my own limits; I don’t allow myself to get bullied into anything, from posing outside my comfort zone to lowering my rate for no good reason. It’s taken a lot of trial and error and practice to get to that point, though; at a shoot, it’s hard not to want to be a people-pleaser and just get along, or swallow back frustrations in order to be non-confrontational. Some level of being flexible and easygoing is really important, but it can be hard to find the line between “easy to work with” and “easy to take advantage of”.

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

I don’t have an exercise routine, but I try to make activity a lifestyle; I don’t “work out” and what I do doesn’t feel like “exercise”. It’s just play. I climb rocks and trees, swim in rivers and lakes, snowboard and ski, scuba dive, do yoga, go backpacking, and have jumped on random opportunities to do everything from whitewater rafting to trapeze. I walk around small towns and big cities. I run around the beach with a few drinks in my belly. I play with dogs. I lose at push-up contests.

Nutrition’s important to me and I try to eat well overall, but I’m a bit of a gourmand. I don’t spend money on clothes or makeup, but I’ll blow money on really good beer, wine, cheese, or chocolate.

Sometimes people try to completely cut out “bad” foods that they love, like junk food junkies perpetually afraid of relapse. I personally think it’s a lot more effective and healthy to learn to practice moderation, and to find ways of preparing healthy foods so that they taste amazing without overloading them with sugars and fats and starches. I am very much anti starvation diets and cleanses, but I am pro juice fasting: I could talk about juicing all day, but for anyone curious I’d suggest the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

Well, I can pee standing up. And my first language was Mandarin, before English.

Would you change anything about yourself if you could?

Buddhism discusses cultivating “beginner’s mind”; you can’t fill a full cup. I want to learn and do everything, to go everywhere, to never get too comfortable for too long and to never submit for too long to holding patterns, neuroses, or rationalizations. To always be getting faster and stronger, physically and mentally. To learn to be more compassionate, easygoing, open, and humble, to internalize that no one can “make” me feel or do anything except myself. To get better at living presently and paying attention. Lather, rinse, repeat, until my heart stops.

Oct 25 2014

Interview with CattyComplex — Breaking Stereotypes

CattyComplex is a 23-year old model residing in Los Angeles, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello World I’m Catty Complex! Im from a small town in NC and have managed to find myself in LA these days. I enjoy all forms of art, dance and music. I spend my time working on multiple life goal projects while dancing to my own rhythm. I love to be a part of massive music events and even do some promotion. I also Model and am looking to break some serious stereotypes.

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

I have always enjoyed the idea of modeling but never thought I would get into it the way that I did. I originally started in the Adult film industry back in 2010, but since then have decided to make the ever so difficult leap into the mainstream world.

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

Some of my personal and professional goals include combining the Alternative modeling world with the Glamorized high fashion society; I see myself representing multiple clothing lines as well as having my own store, which I am currently working on.

I also still see myself promoting events, and even throwing my own. Hopefully one day I will have my own traveling circus…. yes the type that rolls through town with the bright colored train that everyone used to get ooh so excited about!

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

I have been doing some slightly alternative shoots with a glam edge. I am using these to submit into magazines and things of that nature. I am also working on booking more street wear brands and other amazing lines looking to expand their reach.

I have done some extras work on set for a few tv shows, but have not had any big parts yet. What I am most excited about though is the fact that I have some videography of my GoGo dancing and Hula hoop performances coming out soon. Some for music videos, and others as simple introductions of what I bring to the table in the entertainment industry.

I do a lot of live arts performances in my spare time, things most folks can’t even believe that they are seeing!

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

I’ve had many good and bad experiences. I will say the most important thing that I have learned is to always have your own modeling release available, because not every photographer will have one and will try to make things difficult or awkward. Having your own documents helps avoid all the non sense.

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

My live arts performances are pretty out of this world! I do everything from extreme wax shows to electricity shows!

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

My diet is not necessarily the healthiest, but I do eat well. I have a protein deficiency so I crave red meat on a regular basis.

As far as exercise goes, I love to ride bikes, take long walks, or go hiking. I also go pretty hard with a weighted hula hoop and that helps exponentially!

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I freckle when I tan.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I am completely happy with myself and have no want to change a thing!

Where is the weirdest place you’ve ever peed?

There are two types of people in this world;
1- People that pee in the shower
2- Liars

Haha, but the weirdest place is probably in a parking lot on my 21st Birthday… haha.

Visit CattyComplex’s website for more photos and information

Oct 24 2014

Interview with Melissa Ann — Model, full-time student, & young mother

Melissa Ann is a 21-year old model residing in Palm Springs, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in Palm Springs, CA and I grew up in the beautiful high desert, basically in the middle of nowhere. My childhood home has a huge backyard which was ideal for my thriving imagination growing up. I had to travel to the next town just for groceries. It was an interesting place to live. I really feel like living in that atmosphere helped to ground me as a person. I try to imagine who I would have been had I grown up in a large city or something… and I just don’t think I would be the same. I’m currently enrolled in school, and attend full time while taking care of my beautiful two year old son. Hard? Yes! Impossible? Obviously not.

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

I remember seeing some of my friends getting involved in the industry and I had always wanted to try it. One day I told myself that if I didn’t just do it, I never would. It’s easy to let your dreams and desires sit in the backseat, while other things take priority. So I seriously just sat on Facebook, searching all the local photographers that my friends had done “test” shoots with and messaged them. I really put myself out there and found that very many people were interested in taking photographs of me. That’s how I began networking. Because I had lived in the middle of nowhere -and quite honestly, didn’t have the self confidence to go to an open call for an agency at the time- for about a year I shot mostly local. Eventually It got to the point where I no longer had to search for jobs, or people to photograph me. People were emailing and calling me, and it felt great. I was shooting multiple times a week. However, I didn’t start making money, or decent money for my gigs until recently. Now that I am living by the beach, near LA county, I decided to give it a shot and make a meeting at an agency for the first time. Luckily, they loved me and wanted to sign immediately!

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

I really have no idea where modeling will take me. That’s the beauty in life, we never know. In terms of my future, I am enrolled in school for a reason. I want to become a Communication studies teacher at a Community College. I want to mentor my students and give them an outlet they may not have at any other place. Mostly, I want to bring passion back into the classroom and I feel like I am fully capable of doing that.

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

As of right now, I am in school and raising my son on my own. That will always consume a lot of my time. But when I have the opportunity to go to a casting call, or work for a company that I met through connections, hell ya! I love to model. It’s such a fun “job.” I mostly shoot print. However, I am all about opportunity and growth. If a cool casting comes up for an acting gig, I’ll totally try it out. I try not to bound myself to anything in particular.

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

Modeling has helped me develop as a person in so many ways. I have acquired an immense amount of confidence and comfortability within myself by pushing my boundaries in ways I never would have. I have met so many cool people, and experienced so many rad things. I think my favorite experience yet has been the Grand Theft Auto short films I was involved in for a youtube series. For the second episode, I had the opportunity to fly in a stunt plane, just the pilot and I. The funniest thing about it was I had absolutely no idea that was in the script until I was on set. I get claustrophobic easily so it was hard to breathe with all the equipment and small, enclosed space. The pilot’s job was to fly the plane in directions where it realistically looked like we had been shot in air, and then free fell. Scariest, but most exhilarating thing I have ever done, hands down! The worst experiences I have had are probably just people trying to tell me to do things I didn’t want to. Like “take this off,” or “get involved in this,” when it’s really not me. You just have to know who you are and what you want and stick to it.

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

I have become an expert at changing my clothes anywhere! haha

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

First, honesty. People are always trying to be the best, or seem the best, and often lie about themselves to look better. Authenticity is key. And secondly, I wish people had more empathy for others. If someone isn’t adequate for a job, tell them respectfully.

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 all about nutrition! I love to eat well, and I have found that it helps me maintain my body more than anything else. It’s all about cooking whole foods! I can work out all I want, but if my diet is off, I can’t expect the results I want. Outside of my diet and going to the gym, I love anything outdoors! I enjoy some natural vitamin D.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I saw Kristen Wiig naked. Is that a fact about me? I don’t know. But I like to brag about it.

Would you change anything about yourself?

I am constantly growing as a person and I am completely aware of my faults. Would I change them? No. All I can do is project the type of love and energy to others that I would expect to receive.

What is your favorite thing to do alone?

When I’m alone I enjoy anything relaxing. A bath, some comfy pjs, a glass of wine, TED talks, a good read, and maybe a peaceful nap.

Visit Melissa Ann’s website for more photos and information

Oct 20 2014

Interview with Kezziee Mariee — Kezziee Mariee Nude Model

Kezziee Mariee is an 18-year old model residing in Hesperia, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m Kezziee Mariee from Hesperia, California. I have a rare life-threatening disease that only 100 people in the nation have. As weird as it may sound, it’s what motivates me to succeed and fulfill all my hopes and dreams. Modeling is not only my profession but it’s the one thing that makes me forget about reality and this disease. I hope to inspire others and show them that you can do anything you set your mind to even with a terrible illness.

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

I’ve always wanted to be a model. When I was about 10 years old I’d put the fan in my bathroom and take pictures with my camera. I had my first professional photoshoot when I was 15. It was at the Wiltern theater in Los Angeles. When I was 17 I made a facebook fanpage and I started taking pictures with my friends and uploading them. Then a few months after that I actually started booking photoshoots through Model Mayhem. I signed my first contract on my 18th birthday. Currently I model for Suicide Girls, Wish model Magazine, Unworked Apparel, Lola Fang, Queen Of Diamonds Clothing Co. and featured with Inked Magazine and The Daily Haze.

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

I want to hit a million likes or fans on facebook by 2016. I want to just inspire others to feel beautiful despite what society believes beautiful is and despite any illness they may have.

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

I mainly do photoshoots. I do everything from high fashion to nude. I don’t do anything pornographic or spread. My nudes are classy and tasteful. I love to be naked, I hate to wear clothes. Nude is definitely my favorite.

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

I don’t think I’ve had a worst experience. I feel like going into this industry you have to be open minded, you have to realize there are going to be people hating and talking crap. But with that being said, my best experience probably was being recognized in public. I never thought that my fan page would turn into all this and given me some of the opportunities I have been given. It’s been incredible.

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

Well, I’m not sure if this counts, but I like to dance a lot during photoshoots. And if you’ve seen me dance, you’d know that I can’t dance to save my life, but I do it just to loosen up and not be so shy. I have to have music while shooting, otherwise I feel weird. But it has to be up beat music, music I can actually attempt to dance too. And oddly enough, some of those photos have actually made some of my sets, and were good shots.

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

No. I feel like if everything was perfect the hard work wouldn’t be worth it. I like knowing that after an early morning and long day of shooting the images are going to be great and my fans will love them. Without the hate, I wouldn’t appreciate my fans as much as I do. Without the bad there wouldn’t be good.

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

I’ve played volleyball since I was 9 years old and I coached volleyball for 2 seasons. I had to quit due to medical issues but, I do squats everyday and do a full workout a couple days a week. My diet is awful to be honest. I am a really picky eater, I’m pretty much picky with every and anything, I only eat junk food. haha.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

My eyes change colors. Sometimes hazel, sometimes green, and sometimes blue with yellow.

Would you change anything about yourself?

No I wouldn’t. I love myself the way I am. Imperfections and all.

Where is the weirdest place you’ve ever peed?

My mom, little sister, and I were on our way home from my doctor appointment. We stopped at the beach on the way home, which we weren’t expecting too so we didn’t bring anything to go into the water. On the way home we were just in our shirts and underwear, and we had to pee really bad so my mom went off the exit and pulled over. As my sister and I were peeing, a car came, so we ran back to the car door, waited for the car to pass and continued to pee and then another car came, and it turned into us peeing as we were running to the car so they wouldn’t see us pretty much naked. haha.

Visit Kezziee Mariee’s website for more photos and information

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