Well, here I am 100 posts later...who would have thought I could find so much to talk about when it comes to modeling?! Obviously, you see my passion for this field is strong and as long as that passion is in me, I will continue to update this blog and share my latest photos and experiences as a commercial/print model.
For me, there's more to modeling than just being in front of the camera striking a pose. Luckily, I have a lot of experience in broadcasting and working in the television field. This has led to many exciting projects and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, one of the most memorable was as a co-host live on the red carpet conducting interviews with celebrities at the 2004 & 2005 BET Awards Show in Los Angeles. If you just want to stick to modeling, there's nothing wrong with that at all but for those of you who are like me, there are ways to use your modeling career to cross over into new territories.
Many supermodels and other top models have been very successful as spokesmodels, representing brands, products or companies through commercials, promotional events and even into acting or hosting their own show. Anytime you have the chance to step outside of the modeling world to further your career, jump on it without hesitation.
Spokesmodeling involves being the face of a brand or company and possessing good communication skills, grace and poise in front of the public is a must. If you're outgoing, love to talk and meet new people, then spokesmodeling will be the perfect fit. At the same time, also keep in mind that you are a role model to many young girls and guys. While some people say they don't mind being a role model, their actions show otherwise. Be smart and don't indulge in drugs, alcohol or other bad behavior...there's more to life out there and you should be better than that. Never squander or take opportunities given to you for granted.
There is no one way to get into spokesmodeling--many times it just kind of happens. Working in promotional modeling is one fast way to becoming the chosen face for a product, as well as being an in-demand model.
If you're freelancing, work hard to open up new doors for yourself and demand that the public knows who you are. When I began doing promotions for my 2007 calendar, all it took was a little research, a few emails and some snail mailed letters and I was able to appear on two popular radio stations. I used those opportunities to not only broadcast the reason I was there (to sell and promote my calendars) but to let everyone know that there was a model out there who didn't believe in the hype and the negativity that some people associate models with. Through that outlet, the listeners were able to learn who I was and that I wasn't someone who was just a flash in the pan. And that's the thing about being a businessperson--it's always going to be a hustle. If you slow down, you only allow the next person to catch up and steal your spotlight. Never let that happen.
What aspiring models today must realize is that the best way for companies to make money and to showcase talent is to hire models who can function in other arenas aside from being in a studio during a photo shoot. A model who not only takes good pictures, but also has the ability to command a strong presence in a room filed with people is every designer, photographer and marketing exec's dream come true. If modeling doesn't already provide you with a decent income, then signing contracts with businesses to represent them will definitely keep you going in the finances department.
There are two types of models: the ones who are content with just being another face on a magazine or strutting down a runway and the ones who want to not only dominate the modeling world, but all of the areas in between. One isn't necessarily better than the other but if you have the opportunity to make it in the modeling world, then you better be the best damn model you can and outshine the competition. Claim what's yours and climb as high as you can, but also stay humble and avoid making the bad decisions that can send you crashing down to the bottom.
Success is fleeting...hold on to it while you can and make the most of it. Remember: opportunities are never lost--they just go to someone else and that every setback is a setup for a comeback!
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