Blog Archives

Feb 05 2016

Interview with Liya — Singer and Model

Liya is a 20-year old model residing in Boston, Massachusetts.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi! My name is Liya, I’m 20 years old and I was born in Sofia – the capital of a small Easter European country called Bulgaria. I have only one sibling, a brother, and both of us grew up in a very loving and supportive environment. Almost two years ago I came to live and study in Boston, MA, where I live with my boyfriend and am a full-time student, majoring in music. Music is my biggest passion in life, I love singing and composing, but even so, I am generally an artistic person. Except expressing myself through music, I love expressing myself through photos and that is why modeling has been a big part of my life in the last six years.

Liya swimming in a poolWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I got into modeling in 2009 when I was thirteen years old, and I did it because I was amazed at what people can create in photography and also wanted to be a part of that. It all started with improvised shoots with friends who also liked photography. After that I slowly began getting into the industry and making a lot of contacts, which led me to be involved in many projects.

When I came to the States I had to start from the bottom, since I didn’t know anybody in the industry here. But I am slowly meeting new people and having more shoots, which does, however, lead to some problems. For example for my latest project me and the photographer are looking for local Boston designers and fashion stylists but it’s hard to find any, since both of us are not from the area.

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

In five to ten years I see myself married and even having a family of my own. I don’t know if Boston is the place I want to spend my life in, but I definitely want to stay in the States. Professionally, my goals revolve mainly around music: I want to be performing on a big stage, but I would also want to do shoots in my spare time, when I’m not creating music.

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

Now that I am a student in Boston I am not allowed to work, and that is why I choose the photo sessions I do very carefully. When I spend my free time doing shoots, I want them to be interesting and I want them to involve the right people. I love having good chemistry with the people I am working with, since that way we are able to create beautiful images in a short period of time. I’ve created some of my favorite shoots in about two hours -hair and makeup included!- Speaking of makeup, I love it and I love experimenting with it, which is why for a lot of my shoots I do my own makeup.

Liya surrounded by hair all aroundPlease tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.

During the years I’ve had mainly good experiences. I’ve met a lot of amazing people and have worked with a lot of extremely creative and talented people, and some of my favorite photoshoots are ones in which I am among friends. Last summer I had an awesome shoot with friends, it lasted until 3 o’clock in the morning: We were eating, drinking and taking photos, it was a lot of fun. On the other hand, the worst experience I’ve had was during a shoot in which nothing seemed to go right and most of all I felt extremely exploited because I spent more time than I should have and was necessary and at the end I didn’t even get good photos. But I try to look at the bright side; after that experience I now know what to ask for and what to put up with.

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

One summer I was having a pool shoot with the talented Bulgarian designers from Prototype23 -which you need to check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fashioncreativecrew/?fref=ts-. During that shoot I somehow ended up in the deeper end of the pool and almost drowned, trying to protect my full face of makeup. The worst part was that the situation made me laugh, which only worsened the problem.

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

I think the biggest problem in the modeling industry is that it creates in many models a feeling that they are never good enough and need to starve themselves. I think that models should be fit and healthy: there is nothing more attractive than a healthy person in good shape. Some Victoria’s Secret models are a good example of that; they still follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise but it’s more like an athlete preparing for a competition rather than simply denying yourself food.

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

I’m a very active person and I’ve been that way ever since I was a child. To me exercise has always been important not just to look better, but to be healthier; I go to the gym a lot, love doing cardio, fat burning or regular yoga and I recently started boxing, and although I also like swimming, I don’t do that a lot anymore. I love eating clean and healthy food, and I’ve been a pescatarian for a year now and I love it. I also eat a lot of fruits and veggies, rice, seafood and pasta once a week, but if there’s one thing I can live on it’s definitely sushi.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I really like the water from canned corn. Don’t judge, it’s delicious!

Would you change anything about yourself?

I love change. I love changing how I look and my body is something I’m working on every day, but I don’t do it because I don’t like the way I look, but because I love my body and I want to be healthy. I try to be a better person with each day and that’s a change I think all of us should strive for.

Do you have any tattoos? What are they?

I have one tattoo so far, on the wrist of my right arm. It is the writing “Freedom” in Bulgarian and has the Treble clef woven into the letters. Shortly, it is there to remind me to always be free when I create and perform music; I had the drawing in my purse for a couple of years before I got it. I always knew that I wanted it and I got it done when I was eighteen, a couple of days before I came to the States to follow my dreams of becoming a musician.

Visit Liya ‘swebsite for more photos and information

Read more
Oct 27 2014

Interview with Bunny Girl

Bunny Girl is a 24-year old model residing in Long Beach, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in Boston and currently live in Long Beach California, just moved here in June. I don’t have kids but I spoil my pet rabbit Puffins, he’s my furchild. I’m currently unemployed, hoping to make a career in music; I write my own lyrics and melodies and perform on the streets and at open mics. I like to go to yoga, take my bunny for walks in his petstroller, and I enjoy bringing people together and helping people out in any way I can; building community is important to me so if I have something I can share or give, I do it.

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

I haven’t been in the industry too long; I started modeling when I was a kid and my mom tried to get me and my sister to act, but we weren’t too interested back then. Then maybe 4 or 5 years ago my former boyfriend started taking photos of me and it was fun finding spots and coming up with creative ideas; I was always very photogenic, then I started contacting local photographers and I’ve worked with some in Boston as well as some here in California

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

I really enjoy modeling, but it’s kind of hard finding jobs when you’re on the short side. My professional goals are to just do what I love, which is being creative. I just want to start focusing more on my music because to me music is so universal, it brings people together and I just want everyone to realize their purpose and potential; we all have problems, but everyone here deserves love and I want to spread that kind of awareness to my brothers and sisters. In five to ten years I see myself having some type of positive influence. I don’t do anything for money or fame I do things with love, my purpose here is to unite people and help those who are lost.

Bunny Girl wearing a black dressHow often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?

I model at least once a month; I mainly do shoots, glamour, art nudes, bikini, sometimes I get hair shows as well; again it’s hard finding work when you’re on the short side, but it’s awesome when I find open minded photographers who are just looking to get creative because creativity is very important.

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

I went on a group beach shoot in Malibu; there were probably 6 girls there and ten photographers. I had my make up done and the artist painted my lips yellow which I thought was awesome because I like to paint my face crazy and put diamonds on it, so I was down. Only one photographer was into it and I felt a little discouraged, but I’m unique, I like to be different and I’m always going to be myself where what I want no matter how outlandish it is to me, it’s their loss.

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

I actually got scammed on Model Mayhem, someone posing as a photographer sent me a check, told me to cash it, then deposit some into the “designers” account. The check bounced and the bank took all my money, luckily I was able to get the money back, I felt so stupid, but I give everybody the benefit of the doubt. I like to believe that the world is full of good people because we are inside the same; some call it vulnerable, or naive, but I’m not a bitter cold person, I give everything a chance.

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

I’ve always dreamed of being on the runway; I wish they allowed shorter girls to work runway and fashion, the industry should be more open minded when it comes to height and weight. If you look good and you have that presence then why not give the model a chance?.

Bunny Girl with naked shoulderDo you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.

Stretching is very important. I go to yoga at least 5 times a week, the best exercise is dancing: it’s fun and it gets your energy up. As for nutrition I’m vegan, I don’t eat any kind of animal products. I like to make vegetable dishes, soups, salads. People assume it’s hard to eat this way, but it’s actually very easy, they even have vegan ice cream and cookies that taste better than the regular stuff.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I’m very shy but when I’m on stage or in the spotlight that seems to melt away and I feel I’m where I’m supposed to be.

Would you change anything about yourself?

No, I appreciate what I have on the outside and to me we look the way we do for a reason; the way we appear outside is how we are supposed to be and it’s perfect.

What was the meanest rumor ever spread about you?

Boys seem to think that just because you are comfortable enough with your body to wear something revealing that you’re automatically a whore; I like to wear tight clothes and lacy see through stuff, to me it’s about style, so some guys start saying rumors that I have STD’s and that I sleep with a lot of people, but I don’t take anything personally, it’s just a reflection of their insecurities and I empathize with that.

Read more
Aug 03 2014

Interview with Kathleen Nicole

Kathleen Nicole is a 23-year old model residing in San Francisco, California.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

I think my “far from normal” life growing up made me the “far from normal” girl I am today. I was adopted at a very young age and moved around a lot until finally I landed in the beautiful North Bay, California. I am now a full-time student and part time model. I would say people is my passion and I am majoring in Psychology. In my free time I ride my motorcycle, play piano, volunteer, and over indulge in Napa Valleys infamous food and wine.

Kathleen Nicole on a motorcycleWhen, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?

I was offered my first modeling gig when I was 17. A musician in Seattle, where I was living at the time, confronted me about being the face of his band. I was so excited to play dress up professionally. Years later I tried again , applying good work ethic and positive attitude and I just kept getting booked!

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

In ten years I would love to have at least a masters degree, and working in a field where I can make a difference either financially or hands on. I have a passion for causes such as ending solitary confinement, animal rights, and ending human trafficking. I will eventually have to pick one, but whether it be making enough money to open an orphanage, or working in the prison system itself, I know it is my calling to fight for people who may not be able to fight for their own rights.

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

Modeling has been such an adventure. The most interesting jobs I have had were sushi modeling, sexy decoy work, and a scooter shoot where i had to ride in between traffic on Oakland bridge trying to keep up with the photographer . I model every week, and it’s rare that I have a weekend off. Modeling usually photo shoots such as fitness, glamour or commercial. My favorite thing to do is music videos, and I am working on my third.

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

I had the most amazing experience working on a music video with a Youtube artist. We did a freezing cold underwater shoot in the most beautiful hotel. We ended up drinking with the videographer and stayed up dancing and having deep conversations. It was amazing to me that these people I thought were so much “cooler” than me, were not so different. They encouraged me to believe in myself, and I am still friends with the artist.

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

The worst experience I have had was all of my fault. I was emailing with a guy about an extremely professional job, and I posted to Facebook something in poor taste about the job offer. He emailed me telling me he saw my Facebook post. I was so embarrassed. It taught me a good lesson about staying humble, thankful for all job offers and to keep negative comments to private messages.

Kathleen Nicole wearing a black blouseIs there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?

If I could change anything about the industry it would be the behavior of some of the photographers. People can tend to treat models like we are a product and not people. There is a time for work, never a time for disrespect.

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

Nutrition and exercise are extremely important. So is stress relief, and mental health. People tend to focus on a couple of those things and forget the others. It’s a balance that is constantly getting juggled. I exercise regularly. Running, kickboxing, yoga, weights, and floor workouts. I don’t drink soda or juice and try to use Stevia in place of sugar. I notice, for me, when I focus on adding whole foods such as veggies, fruits, whole grains, and protein, I don’t crave bad stuff and don’t need to stress about taking things away.

Please share something people don’t know about you.

I don’t think most people know I am a musician. When I was little I always thought I would be a DJ. I play piano and sing. Music is a huge passion of mine, and although I may never try to do it professionally, it will always be a big part of my life.

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

If I could change anything about myself, it would be my self doubt. I think a lot of people decide what they can and cannot do. I don’t want to live in a box. I want to continue to challenge myself to aim high and leap when it’s time.

What is the longest you have gone without taking a bath?

The longest I have gone without bathing was a whole week. I have a good excuse though! I was camping in winter time, and the only option was to stand behind a tarp and get cold water poured on to you from a bucket. It was disgusting, but I was not going to freeze.

Visit Kathleen Nicole’s website for more photos and information

Read more