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

Hey, all! I just wanted to make a quick blog post to encourage all you Facebook fanatics to vote for fellow model, Amber Gibson, who is in the running for the "Face of Smashbox Cosmetics Contest." In order for Amber to be considered for the semifinals, she'll need to be in the top 20 and so far she's kicking butt but can definitely benefit from more votes! The contest is being held by Smashbox Cosmetics using their Facebook profile, which is why you have to be on Facebook in order to vote. The cool thing about this voting system is that it is through Facebook so all you need to do is log in and go to the link (which I will provide in a minute), click on the "Vote to Win" button, and then click on the link for "Highest Rated" and she'll pop right up! Voting takes a second to do and you can vote once a day until June 21, 2009. Another great thing is that you don't have to sign up for anything or create a profile for anyone. Pretty convenient ...

Facial expressions are yet another domain that you as a model need to master, especially if you are a commercial/print model. While fashion, runway, and editorial models are accustomed to mastering the stoic, blank, seductive look as well as the sexy pout, commercial/print models are required to go above and beyond when it comes to facial expressions. Knowing how to convey emotions is very important in this type of modeling because your job is to sell the product, idea, image, or company name. And in order to do that you have to put forth your best effort to convince the consumer that they want to buy whatever it is that you are promoting. Who would want to buy a new brand of cereal if the model on the box looks like she wants to spit it out? I like to think of commercial/print models almost as character actors. Depending on what the shoot is for, you need to get into character. It is common for the photographer or project director to give models a scenario or set up a situation an...

This topic may not seem like it belongs on a modeling blog, since the "casting couch" is a term that is commonly associated with the acting world but I've had some curious minds ask me about the chances of dealing with this situation when it comes to modeling. While I do answer a lot of common questions I want to make sure I address questions that aren't the norm. In order to get as much information out there as I can, it helps to address the concerns of the few and not just the many. Make sense? Let's move on. Never heard of the "casting couch" concept? Then let me clarify. In a nutshell, this term is used to describe the age old method of sleeping your way to the top--namely, young, aspiring actresses sleeping with directors, movie producers, and just about any high roller that in turn promises them the best roles or the chance to take part in a large film or television project. So what does the casting couch have to do with modeling? I'm sur...

Stretch marks...ugh. No one likes them and if you are a model or want to become one, this may seem like a huge setback to your goals. However, if you know about stretch marks and how to handle them, having these unsightly marks doesn't have to be detrimental to your modeling career. Unfortunately, there are many myths and so-called "miracle treatments" that promise to get rid of your stretch marks forever. Before you invest any time or money, it's important to know the real deal. You don't have to be overweight or pregnant to get stretch marks: This is a common misconception. The skinniest of people can still develop stretch marks and it affects both men and women, although women are more likely to suffer from it than their male counterparts. Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched over time. This happens not only during pregnancy (which results in stretch marks on the stomach and breasts), but also during growth spurts and even weight lifters that bu...

Just wanted to share two of the photos I was able to get from Mocha Bride Magazine. These are from the second shoot we did. I can't wait to see the rest!

Jam Wrote: Hello! I too was interested in submitting a photo to Jet Magazine for Beauty of the week. Do you have to use a famous photographer? My hair is natural, would it be a good idea to keep it that way for the photos I submit? Thanks and congrats for your photo shoot with Jet! Hey, Jam, and thanks for the kind words, very much appreciated! To answer your question, no, you do not have to work with a famous photographer in order to be considered for Beauty of the Week. As long as you work with a professional photographer that knows what he/she is doing, you will be good to go. If you love your hair natural and can rock it, then by all means, do so! JET likes to showcase different types of women and wants them all to have their own style so if you know you look good with your natural hair, then definitely wear it that way in your photo. Good luck and let me know if you make it--I always love to hear success stories from others! =)

So it was sometime around 7:30AM last Monday when I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize. Being the businesswoman I am, I decided to take the call. It turned out to be Sandra, one of the cool folks from Mocha Bride Magazine . As I struggled to remain awake (haha), she told me that a model cancelled on their shoot last minute and wanted to know if it was possible for me to fill in for her. When I asked what time I needed to be there, she replied, “As soon as you can get here.” Needless to say, I took the quickest shower of my life! But it was a welcome change to most Monday mornings. I got ready, grabbed what I could (I was visiting my parents so I wasn’t at home with all my stuff), got directions and headed to Oakland for another bridal shoot. When I pulled up I couldn’t believe my eyes…the mansion was amazing. I don’t even want to call it a mansion—it was more like an estate or something! There was a huge gate and I let myself in through a side glass door that was p...