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OMP Pro File –
Haylee (Model #184767) | by Elias of All Star Photography -
OMP Member #10270
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Haylee (Model #184767) has been modeling for seven years now, starting when she was eighteen, and has recently added a personal website to her promotional efforts. The Ohio resident reveals how she gets modeling work in her area.
"One Model Place! To this day, I still find more work there than anything else.
Also, Myspace.com seems to be pretty helpful in getting me jobs like events, calendar shoots, and so on.
Now that I have my own website and Yahoo! Group, that garners me a lot of work as well. Networking is the
best way to get yourself out there!"
She began to pursue modeling for several reasons.
"I should probably give my narcissism the first credit on this. I just loved seeing very well done pictures of me.
It made me feel pretty, boosted myself esteem. Another big reason was money. It was a little harder to get work being
a tattooed model at the time, so I decided to start taking it seriously and work on a portfolio to gather contacts.
It just became a multi-faceted hobby eventually."
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The thing she enjoys most about modeling is the connections she has made with fellow models and photographers.
"I've met the greatest people through this. Some of my closest friends are the photographers, and occasionally models,
who I've met through this business. I love the finished product, too. So often I'll browse through photographer
portfolios and feel like I've 'seen it all'... And then I'll come across someone's work that is just amazing and original.
It never fails to keep me intrigued. And, of course, a girl loves getting dolled up."
Conversely, she lists a few things that she likes least about modeling.
"Some of the stereotypes you have to adhere to in the professional world. I'm not above-average height or under-average
weight and that seems to work against me occasionally. Luckily, with the advent of more alternative clothing and shoes,
it's becoming more acceptable to have a ‘not-the-norm’ girl like me working. It seems like when I started this, there
was a lot more room for me in figure and glamour work, whereas now I'm finally seeing more fashion opportunities.
It's still a pain trying to prove myself before I'm actually in front of the camera, though."
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Haylee humorously says that she prepare mentally and physically for a shoot in the proper way, unlike some other models.
"Not the Kate Moss way, that's for sure. I'm almost OCD in my organization. I have to make sure all the clothes in my wardrobe are cleaned and packed exactly right. If I bring my own cosmetics, I clean them ahead of time. Listen to some of my favorite music that makes me feel playful but sexy. These things are all pretty cathartic for me before a job."
What she usually brings to a shoot depends on what the shoot requires.
"I usually bring my own wardrobe, clips and makeup. I always bring my CD collection, on the chance that you get a photographer who lets you listen to it. I always bring my portfolio to show my work and I always bring business cards to exchange. And, you know, sometimes a friend!"
While shooting, Haylee admits that she doesn’t stress out easily.
"Usually I'm thinking about what I'll make for dinner. More often than not, I'm involved with some goofy conversation with the photographer and cosmetologists. Or I’m thinking mundane thoughts like ‘Is this sexy? Does my hip look funny if I stand this way? Does this shirt make my cleavage look good? Is my eyeliner coming off?’"
She recalls her favorite shoot so far.
"Usually the shoots I didn't enjoy I just forget about. I have a personal photographer who does my work for my website and those shoots are always fun because I get to boss him around and we know each other well enough to just have fun and get the job done at the same time. I did a shoot for a top horror movie company where I got to be splattered in fake blood and wounds, and that was pretty damn cool."
Haylee admits she likes the glamorous high fashion shoots.
"You know, with the overly bright makeup, skin tight clothes, blaring lights. Just anything that makes me look like a super star. And, if we're going for a fantasy, then I would prefer a hot photographer with an Italian accent. Oh, and I would get to keep the clothes afterwards. I'm easy to please, huh?"
Her main goal as a model has always been to promote myself.
"Since I was 18, I've made modeling and entertaining my career -- not just a hobby. I make all my income from this, and invest my money. Each job I do is not only to get paid, but also to get more jobs. I want every photo shoot to be better than the last."
Her other interests are varied.
"I'm an entertainer first and foremost. I love the Internet and coding, so I'm always making websites for myself, friends, and businesses. I'm also a true-crime enthusiast and a shopoholic."
She has some heartfelt words of advice for other models.
"I guess this is the crime sleuth in me speaking, but if you're new to modeling live by the rule of safety first.
Always bring a friend with you to a shoot and let others know where you are. Don't bring boyfriends to shoots
-- even if they're the best guy in the world, it can just get awkward for someone. Also, be organized.
Know what you need to have with you for the shoot and what the photographer/others may need.
And from the minute you get your first images done, get a physical portfolio together."
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© 2005 by Elias "All Star" Stimac
NOTE: If you are an OneModelPlace.com model and wish
to have your opinions included in "Modeling in Focus,"
email All Star through his OMP page Member
#10270 and write in the subject line "Model Profile".
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