Modeling in Focus

Candle Box (OMP Model #371253)
by Elias AllStar OMP Member #10270

Candle Box (OMP Model #371253) is that rare breed of model that is as smart and funny as she is beautiful and sexy. And to think that she only started working as a model last year!

"I did hit-or-miss shoots with a roommate in 2007, but it was nothing professional. And then boom, in January, my modeling career took off and has become a fulltime job ever since!"

That first photographer also turned the bold and beautiful blonde on to One Model Place.

"My roommate who got me into all of this was a member of OMP. Hi Joey of TKG Studios! (OMP Member #55335) OMP has totally helped my career. Every day there is another job offer in my inbox. And I love how the site directly emails the travel notices to all the members in the area you are traveling to."

Whether she is doing fashion, glamour, or nude modeling, the field seems like a worthwhile alternative to the daily grind of a day job.

"Since a 9-to-5 in an office sounded so droll, I went the other extreme and decided to get a job where you may not be behind a desk, but you work from 5 am till midnight. It seems like my logical skills are a little faulty, no? Plus, I like the dress code for the nude work. Hard to pull that off in the real world!"

Candle's sense of humor comes out when describing the differences between nude modeling and regular modeling.

"Nude modeling is probably easier because they are not looking at your eyes -- just kidding! There are more posture issues that you have to be aware of. Every aspect of your body is on display. And razor burn is a constant issue if you are working a lot. Can't keep mowing the lawn if there is dead grass!"

The Georgia resident travels a lot for assignments, although she is learning to say no to jobs that cost more than the fee she would be earning.

"I will turn down offers if there will be too many expenses on my end, or depreciation on the car, or excessive flight and hotel expenses. It was hard to say no in the beginning, but sometimes you have to realize that it is not feasible to take every assignment that comes along."

Because she shoots in so many places, Candle subsequently works with all types of photographers from working pros to GWCs.

"How I approach a photo shoot depends on who the photographer is. If it is a really good/nice guy who is not putting you through the ringer and keeping it fun, you want to do anything to please that person, and go the extra mile: 'Sure, I can walk on those hot coals!' If it is someone with hubris who gives barking orders, you just want to get the job done and get the heck out of there."

In addition to nude work, Candle is also experienced in doing fetish-themed images.

"For a fetish shoot, you try to get into the mindset of what the viewer would want. And that has given me an interesting and eye-opening view of how people can have entirely different motivations than what you would have expected. Sometimes that can be a little darker psychologically than you want to dive into. But it is making me a more complete person to see how other people view things."

Being an OMP favorite, it is fitting that one of Candle's favorite assignments has a One Model Place connection.

"I loved going to the recent OMP-sponsored workshop in the Bahamas, which was entitled 'Revealing Venus.' The week-long shoot took place in August, and we got to work in some amazing locations. I still keep in touch with the photographers and the girls involved. And bless their hearts, throughout the week they kept spraying me with sunscreen to prevent sunburns."

Candle not only uses her business savvy when planning modeling trips around the country, but in her downtime she deals with investments and is looking to open her own small business one day.

"I make it a habit to reinvest 33 percent of all earnings into modeling expenses and supplies - covering things like makeup, costumes, and travel costs. I then like to sock away ten percent that I will never see again. Whatever is left is available to pay bills!

Candle offers the following practical advice for models just starting out.

"Don't burn bridges. There is always someone younger, prettier, nicer, and smarter than you. Wear sunscreen. Don't smoke or do drugs. Also, limit the drama in your life. Basically, be a square."

For models planning to shoot nude, she suggestions taking a laidback approach.

"Everybody has the same parts, so don't be nervous. And eat! There is nothing wrong with eating a hot fudge sundae before a shoot!"