Kelli is a professional working model based out of Toronto, Ontario.
Recent projects include shoots for Access Erotica, UMM and various calendar shoots.

She has always been in demand as a model, but Kelli's shoot schedule has gotten even busier since joining OneModelPlace a year ago. Starting in the business at age 13, she worked with an agency for a while, and then began freelancing on her own. OMP has really helped her book paying jobs since then.

"I had heard there was a website for models, but I didn't realize how good OneModelPlace was until I joined in May 2003. I have received so many responses. For the first two weeks after I put my profile up, it was just constant emails. I have countless contacts now because of OMP. When I initially joined, if I didn't check my email for a couple hours, I'd come back and there would be 30 new emails. And every time I update my profile or post travel itineraries, it picks up again. It's the best modeling site that I've seen, and I've gotten the most responses and the most paid work from their referrals."

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The native Canadian prefers to work with photographers in the Toronto area, but has traveled to Rochester and Syracuse NY to shoot and was pleased with the results. She suggests that models who are willing to travel for work should ask the photographer to book a separate hotel room for their stay and rent a studio for the shoot.

"Also, if it's somebody I have not worked with before, I think the best scenario is for them to give me the option to have someone escort me and be nearby, if that's what I prefer."

Photographers visiting Toronto have also hired Kelli for portfolio and magazine jobs. She relates that they usually rent local studios by the hour or decide on a place to meet ahead of time for outdoor shoots. Models can help out-of-towners by knowing the cost and location of available studios. Kelli reminds all models to be alert when working with new photographers, and advises setting up a meeting beforehand at a public place to get to know each other and go over shoot details.

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"Make sure a close friend or somebody always knows where you will be shooting. Also, you should always follow your instincts and your intuition. If you get a bad vibe from somebody, really pay attention to those feelings. And if you're in a situation like that, don't be a pushover. Remember you have rights, and you don't have to go along with something just because you feel the person is going to look down on you if you don't. It's better to not have any regrets, than to go along with something you don't want to do. Stand up for yourself, and don't worry what anybody thinks."

She points out that a standard shoot can last anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the content and setup requirements, and says: "Always agree on the exact time and length of the shoot ahead of time. I think two or three hours is a good amount of time. If you're working really well together, sometimes four hours can go by and it feels like one, whereas if somebody's uptight, one hour can feel like five." The majority of the time she prefers to provide her own clothing and do her own hair and makeup, "I like to bring my own outfits and be able to choose between, everybody has different tastes."

Kelli, who also has her own website at KelliOnLine.com, likes to be involved in the creative aspects of her photo shoots whenever possible.

"Ultimately if they're paying you, then they are the boss and it's their decision. However, if it's a tfp (time-for-print) shoot, I think that input from both the photographer and model can be helpful. And if you have a really good working relationship with a photographer, you can usually make suggestions or give them ideas."

There are many other aspects models need to consider besides just posing for the camera, according to Kelli. "First of all, read any release form completely before you sign your name. And it should be decided how you will be receiving copies of the photos before the shoot begins. The majority of photographers I work with give me prints, but it varies from person to person. One might give me CDs of all my pictures, whereas another one may tell me I can pick out 6 and he or she will make enlargements for you. It's good to have the photos in a digital format, so you can download them to your OMP site or email them out, but also you need prints for your portfolio.

Kelli is very happy with many of the features onemodelplace offers. "I think it's really good that models and photographers can put acknowledgements and links up for each other. In the future, I would like to be able to include my own comments along with the recommendations, and post warnings if someone’s behavior is inappropriate."

"If you consider it a hobby, then that's great, have fun. If it's a career, and you want to make something with it, then you have to be very determined and up for it. You might have a week where you have no shoots scheduled, then in two days you have five sessions and you'll be exhausted. You can't be low-energy or cranky. If you want to make it in modeling, then you have to take the opportunity and go for it and always be upbeat and pleasant to work with."

Next Time: OMP Pro File – Claudia