Answering a Reader Question #238

Kat Wrote:

Thank you so much Dania I really appreciate you answering my question especially because of the holiday. I'm curious though what do you think makes a pretty smile in a man or a woman. Is a pretty smile genetic or can someone be taught how to smile pretty I'm just wondering.

Hey, Kat! You're very welcome! The Thanksgiving feast has been consumed and my family is now in lazy mode so I thought I'd indulge my inner workaholic and get online to see what was up. :-)

It's hard to accurately answer what makes a smile ?pretty" in a man or a woman. I think the "stereotypical" definition of a pretty smile is one where the teeth are pearly white, straight and free of things like gaps, snaggletooths, etc. However, in my opinion, I think a person's overall expression and warmth they project through their smile is what really makes for not just a pretty smile but a genuine smile, even if their teeth/smile has a flaw or two. I hope that makes sense? You can tell the difference (most times) when a person's smile is "fake" and when it isn't. I've seen many people's smiling pictures where their smile wasn't "perfect" but for some reason it looked amazing on them. I guess as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I've never thought about pretty smiles being genetic (it probably is) but I think it's definitely possible to be "taught." I've had to teach myself how to do the right kind of smiles that photograph well. I have to do this because not only do I have a naturally crooked smile (my upper lip), I also have big gums--two things I've always been super insecure about. However, being a model and appearing in the spotlight has taught me to use my smile to my advantage and work with what I have instead of hating it 24/7.

It may sound silly but I look at some of my candid/non-modeling pictures where I'm smiling and not consciously trying to control how it looks and those images where my upper lip is slightly crooked are actually some of my favorite shots of myself because my expression is genuine...I'm "in the moment" and the camera captured that without me trying to "fix" what I felt was wrong.

Feeling comfortable in my own skin is truly one of the biggest and most valuable lessons I've learned in my career and it is something that I know you will also come to learn and value as you continue to pursue modeling.

Comments

Want to Be a Victoria's Secret Model?

(*Due to the number of comments and questions I get from aspiring models about working for VS, please be sure to read my post on this very carefully. If you don't meet all of these requirements then you cannot become a model for VS. If you are not tall enough, if you are not signed to a top agency, your chances are not good. If you don't meet the requirements, please don't be too upset about it. Find another field of modeling you may be good for. There are plenty of other modeling opportunities for models outside of being a VS angel. They may not be as good or as well-known as VS but it's better than nothing.) I know I’d jump at the chance to be offered a gig modeling for Victoria’s Secret (although I think they’d be irritated by Photoshopping my stretch marks HAHA, yeah, I said it, I’ve got stretch marks!). All silliness aside, the gals of Victoria’s Secret are probably the inspiration for a majority of aspiring models out there. Not only do they get to wear the s...

Male Models & Height

(This particular post is in reference to male models seeking to do fashion and runway modeling only, not commercial/print.) So I realize that many of my posts are directed at female models because, well, there are so many of them out there! But I do acknowledge and recognize the male models out there, too, and believe me I do my best to try and squeeze in posts that relate to you guys as well. While I will say that much of the information I provide (casting calls, submitting to agencies, etc.) can be applied to male modeling as well, I don't want anyone to get confused or feel they have to sort out exactly what applies to females and what applies to males so I decided to start trying to do more posts for male models or those aspiring to be one. The height factor is not just an issue with female models but male models as well. Unfortunately, there are even less "exceptions to the rule" when it comes to male models than female models. There are definitely the Ka...

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...

Modeling & Acting 101 - A Model/Actor's Diary

Search This Blog