Monday, June 30, 2008

Latest Photoshoot - Stock Photography


So I got my images back from my recent shoot with a really great stock photographer, Jana Le. She found my modeling profile on Model Mayhem's website and liked my look. She sent me an email and it was a done deal! This was actually my first time doing a stock photo shoot, so it was a fun challenge for me.

To recap for those who aren't aware of what stock photography is, this type of photography is very similar to commercial, except in a different form. There are many online stock photography websites, where photographers upload their images into galleries. Clients who don't have the time or budget to put together their own shoots and hire models can go to the stock photography websites and download the full-size images for a fee, which the photographer (and in some cases, the models) get a percentage of. These images appear everywhere from website ads to print for fliers, brochures, product packaging, billboards and many more.

Here is Jana's portfolio of work (I love how she shows the original image and the image as used for commercial purposes): http://www.modelmayhem.com/pics.php?id=341351

We got together at 7AM (yikes!) in front of the City Hall in San Jose and met up with another model, named Kalani. It was already pretty hot out and it didn't help that we were stuck in business attire. The shoot started off great. Basically all Kalani and I had to do was talk to each other casually, with the photographer giving direction here and there (turn more towards me, face away from the camera, hold the prop in your other hand, etc). Because it was a business themed shoot, we did a lot of handshaking and natural expressions were encouraged. Luckily, Kalani is a very energetic and hilarious guy so we had no problem laughing naturally throughout the shoot. It was all about candids with few formal poses.

As the day went on, the sun only got hotter and as a result, I got dehydrated and suffered a slight dizzy spell. Luckily, Jana was so sweet so she allowed me to take a seat while Kalani went off to get us some refreshments. Although I wasn't feeling too great I didn't want to waste any shooting time so I sucked it up and started posing as I was, while seated. Jana appreciated my ability to put on a genuine smile in spite of the nausea I was experiencing. Once we got our drinks, I was much better and ready to finish our shoot! Eventually the temperature got way too hot so we wrapped up shooting around 12noon. I had a blast and hope that one of my images gets chosen for a product or advertisement.

Here are some of the images from the shoot. Because they are on a stock photo site, I don't want anyone to rip off these images when the photographer fully deserves her percentage of the sales so these have the watermark logo of the website on them. Unfortunately, some of them cover up my face but you get the idea:


Answering a Reader Question #13


ki~ki Wrote:

So, Dania
I have a open call today, I got my head shots and 3/4 shots ready and a pair of heels. I also have been doing a lot of excersing with my boyfriend and eating healthier. We did a lot of running. So, before I go today is there any advice you can give me???????????????????
Thanks Again


Hi, Ki-Ki!

As far as advice for open casting calls, remember that the agencies want to see the true you…not a version that you feel they should see. Stay true to yourself. They love upbeat, bubbly personalities. Walk in with confidence and stand up straight. Have good posture when standing and when sitting—don’t slouch. Always wear a comfortable smile and above all else, do not overanalyze anything and if you’re going to be nervous, keep that to yourself. Never let ‘em see you sweat! Wear little to no makeup (none is better if you can get away with it) and avoid wearing patterns, logos, brand names, stripes and polka dots. My suggestions for what to wear include: a tank top, cami or baby tee in a solid color that complements your skin tone and form fitting, nice jeans (no fashionable holes or tears).

When they ask you questions, try to avoid babbling. Give them honest and brief answers that are straight to the point. Don’t be intimidated by any of the other girls there. Once you walk in, the staff will be watching you (whether you’re aware of it or not) so be on your Ps and Qs. I’ve seen girls walk into agencies and the first thing they do is stare at the other girls or size them up. This looks so bad. Body language is key so appear relaxed, confident and enthusiastic to be there.

I’m sure you’ll do great so good luck and please let me know how it goes!!!

My weekend in review

This weekend held no major riding for me, as I happily committed myself to breaking my eldest nephew into the fine art of burping, farting, and fishing. We invited him to his first "Man" outing. He is five years old. Myself, my son, father in law, brother in law and his 5 yr old went camping. Needless to say, we all had a blast. It was well worth forgoing a weekend ride.

Just to scratch the itch, I did hop on the bike for a cruise around the neighborhood (literally) last night.


So since I don't have much else to leave you with today, I give you ... "one liner biker wit"....

Loud pipes drown out the voices in my head.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Answering a Reader Question #12


Troy Wrote:

Hi, i hope you can respond to my question. i'm an aspiaring male model, and although i'm sure it'll be different, i was wondering if you knew how to search for modeling gigs without an agent. i'm not saying i'm gonna be amazing all on my own, but i would like a few shoots under my belt before i go to an agency, just so they see i have some experience. i really want your opinion on this at least if you can't help me.


There are a few ways you can go about being a freelance model, although let me say first that most modeling agencies do not care if you have previous experience or not. When submitting photos, many state they want non-professional photos but there are others that willingly accept your own modeling headshot. It varies from agency to agency. So if you are concerned about impressing an agency, just know that you don't have to have done shoots before or have your own portfolio. You'd be just fine submitting non-pro pix (headshot, full body, etc) or as stated on each agency's website. Just a thought.

However, if you want to go ahead and freelance first, by all means go ahead. Do what you feel works best for you. In regards to freelance, I highly suggest using online modeling network communities. ModelMayhem.com is a great one that I've found extremely useful. It's free to sign up for an account, where you can post your photos, stats, and network with professional photographers in your area and from all over. Model Mayhem (often referred to as MM) is great because in addition to being able to search for photographers, models, stylists and hair/makeup artists, there is also a great castings section where you can search and submit for freelance modeling gigs, both paid and non-paid. Many aspiring models use MM to find photographers to do test shoots with in order to build and update portfolios. So this works in your favor greatly.

Until you get more familiar with the industry and have shot with a couple of people, only then would I suggest using Craigslist to look for modeling jobs. I stress not using Craigslist to find modeling agencies but the Talent section under Gigs on there has a handful of great modeling jobs you can apply to, with no need for an agent. I've found some of my best gigs and clients through Craigslist but it's not for new, naive or inexperienced models. Do your research first and know how the process works and then use Craigslist. But with MM and Craigslist combined, you can find your own fair share of work through freelance modeling.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Motorcycle For Sale

On Jun 27, 2008, post@kijiji.ca wrote:
You've received the following reply to your "1981 Honda Silverwing" Ad on Kijiji:
From: lloydsmith@XXXX

I cant beleive you are selling your namesake, I have been a fan of your website, are you upgrading.
Oh man, I never thought any one would notice.
Yes as much as I like the little wing I feel it is time to upgrade to a newer bike, I wish I had the money to keep the silverwing and a newer bike but I need the money from the old bike to buy a new one.
I plan to keep on blogging only with a different bike, I will still blog under silverwinger as its not easy to start out again.
I still haven't sold the bike yet and am in no hurry to give it away so who knows I may have it forever.
But thanks for the e-mail, it is nice to know you were reading the blog even though I am not very regular with posting.
My latest post is about some Nigerian scammers e-mailing me about the bike.
I don't really have a lot of money to throw around and in fact when I bought the Silverwing I purchased it with my Mastercard and just recently got it paid off after three years. I planned to sell the silverwing and put another $2,500 on the master card again and try to buy a newer or bigger bike.
I first thought about a Goldwing but then got caught up in the Harley Hysteria{too expensive} and am now leaning towards a Yamaha V-star.
Currently I am eyeing a 1985 Goldwing with low miles, or a 2000 V-star 1100. The V-star is quite intriguing as it looks more like a Harley than a Harley does, and is better built.

Hey, I think I just got a new posting for my blog.



Motorcycle For Sale


On Jun 27, 2008, post@kijiji.ca wrote:
You've received the following reply to your "1981 Honda Silverwing" Ad on Kijiji:
From: lloydsmith@XXXX

I cant beleive you are selling your namesake, I have been a fan of your website, are you upgrading.
Oh man, I never thought any one would notice.
Yes as much as I like the little wing I feel it is time to upgrade to a newer bike, I wish I had the money to keep the silverwing and a newer bike but I need the money from the old bike to buy a new one.
I plan to keep on blogging only with a different bike, I will still blog under silverwinger as its not easy to start out again.
I still haven't sold the bike yet and am in no hurry to give it away so who knows I may have it forever.
But thanks for the e-mail, it is nice to know you were reading the blog even though I am not very regular with posting.
My latest post is about some Nigerian scammers e-mailing me about the bike.
I don't really have a lot of money to throw around and in fact when I bought the Silverwing I purchased it with my Mastercard and just recently got it paid off after three years. I planned to sell the silverwing and put another $2,500 on the master card again and try to buy a newer or bigger bike.
I first thought about a Goldwing but then got caught up in the Harley Hysteria{too expensive} and am now leaning towards a Yamaha V-star.
Currently I am eyeing a 1985 Goldwing with low miles, or a 2000 V-star 1100. The V-star is quite intriguing as it looks more like a Harley than a Harley does, and is better built.




Got Cake?

Yesterday evening, I was watching Food T.V., and caught an episode of the Ace of Cakes. I am glad I have DVR or I wouldn't have been able to stop the T.V. show, and get my digital camera, and rewind to capture these pictures.
Being an artist, I can really appreciate some of the stuff these folks create on this show with cake. Duff and his crew made a Harley Davidson Electra Glide Motorcycle cake!
Friggin cool! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Please excuse the poor quality, these are pictures of my television , not pictures captures from the Web.
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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Answering a Reader Question #11


Ki~Ki Wrote:

As I said before Dania, you do a great job with this blog. It's so helpful to me. But, I did have another question. Exactly how do I lose about 2 to 3 inches off of my waist and hips?????????? I really like my body the way it is now i.e. 34-27-36 but I guess if I want to explore modeling I will have too lose a few inches.


Thanks, Ki-Ki, I appreciate the support! I am very proud to hear you say that with your current measurements, you are happy with your body! I hear too many people say the exact opposite…your response is a rare yet refreshing one to hear! That being said, I highly suggest seeing agencies as you are first. If you are happy with yourself right now then take a chance and see what they say. It won’t count against you if they say to lose a few inches and then come back…to be invited back is a good thing! So I see nothing wrong with seeing them now if you’re ready and taking things from there.

As far as losing the inches off your waist, this was what information I could find that you could try out (sorry it’s gonna be long but I wanted to make sure you had enough options to choose from that work for you):

Exercise/Diet (Eating habits, not an actual diet)

Below are 6 tips on how to lose inches off your waist fast:

1. Think small - opting for little changes in your diet can make a difference to your fat loss efforts. Look at eating turkey burgers instead of beef, diet soda instead of regular, whole grain pasta instead of white. With small changes, it becomes second nature, which will have an impact on your eating habits.

2. Eat smart - never eat straight from a box or container. If you are eating take out food, put the right portion on a plate. And put the package away, then sit down and enjoy your meal, taking your time over it. Eat slowly and savor every bite. Also, plan to have 6 healthy mini meals a day to control the cravings!

3. It is healthy for everyone to follow a high fiber diet, aiming for two to three cups of vegetables per day and two pieces of fruit (preferably with the skin on). Switching to a diet high in fiber doesn't mean you have to add more carbohydrates to your daily menu, it simply means you need to eat high fiber carbs (those with more than 3g of fiber per serve). Choose from broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, zucchini, tomato, mung beans, leeks, green beans, capsicum, onions and others.

4. Eat more fresh, wholesome foods and drink more water through out the day. And if you reduce the amount of processed foods and sugary drinks like Coca Cola and Diet Pepsi - you are well on your way to losing inches off your waist.

5. Make it a gradual effort. Changes to your lifestyle do not have to be immediate. If you can commit yourself to make positive changes daily, like drinking one less can of coke and eating one serving of fruit - it's all for the better for your health and waistline.

6. The Best Exercise Program for you ... is one you will stick to, and one that is challenging. Find a routine that works for you, and make it a habit.

Special Exercise

The best exercise you can do to lose inches off your waist is called the vacuum pose.

Suck in your belly button as much as possible. Now, be careful not to make the mistake of sucking in your upper belly area. You want to suck in the lower belly around your belly button.

Now suck that in as much as possible and hold that position for between 15-60 seconds. The longer the better. Rest then repeat this. Do this for a total of 5 minutes a day.

Clients who did this 5 minutes a day averaged 1.75 inches lost from their waists. Now, if you are more dedicated, do the vacuum pose for 15-20 minutes each day and you will lose nearly 3 inches from your waist.

Here's how you can do it for 20 minutes without feeling like you did it for 20 minutes:

Do them during TV commercials. The average 1 hour TV show has about 22 minutes of TV commercials. Now, simply do this exercise for 2 minutes during each commercial that comes on during that TV show. Wasted time all of a sudden becomes productive time.

Body Wraps

Body wraps are a great quick way to lose a few inches or even pounds. It's all water weight, which means we will regain these pounds or inches back very quickly. This is a quick fix but not a long term one. You'll keep it off a little longer only if you continue to do the wraps and if you keep yourself well hydrated so that you don't end up dehydrated. You will gain back what ever you lost by doing a wrap one time only.

Body wraps, CAN help you to lose inches and keep them off. There are essentially two different kinds of body wraps available to consumers. The first type of body wrap, just incited rapid water loss, which comes back quickly. The second type however, incites lymphatic drainage in your fat cells, and helps to improve your metabolism and release harmful toxins from your body. If you're looking into getting a body wrap, be sure to look for this second type for lasting inch loss. You can check your local day spas to see if they offer this service.

Vetter Fairings

On Tuesday 6-23-08, Doug Klassen of Fourty Years on Two Wheels http://40on2.blogspot.com/ had a great post about his past, when he was a news film courier. http://40on2.blogspot.com/2008/06/news-film-courier.html. Take a moment to read it, then pop on back here to finish reading this post.

He has a picture of the old BMW he used to ride. I love nostalgic bikes. I also get a kick out of the Vetter fairing on it. I've never seen one on a BMW before. It just goes to show you learn something new all the time.

Anyway, This reminded me instantly of when I was a kid. I remember sitting in the livingroom on the floor, watching the great big old console style television. There was a commercial that I used to see frequently. This commercial is one of the things that sparked my love for motorcycles. It was (I believe) a Honda commercial. They showed a Motorcycle cruising really fast on a curvy road and it had a Windjammer fairing by Vetter. Heck, I went on for a few years thinking that Windjammer was actually the name of the Honda motorcycle that I coveted so much. L.O.L.! It's kinda like hearing a song when you are a kid, or even an adult, thinking you know the lyrics, only to find out you've been singing them in your head wrong for quite some time.

Several motorcycles into my beginning to be a real biker, I picked up a 1981 Honda Goldwing GL1100. This was the old style with the Windjammer Vetter fairing. Cooincidence? I wonder.
Anyone who has followed my blog might be wondering, sooo...If you were wondering, the answer is Yes, I customized it too.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Answering a Reader Question #10


Anonymous Wrote:

hey! so i have a very random question, but it's been on my mind all morning.

this morning i was in the shower and i slipped on some soap, falling down and chipping my two front teeth. i also scraped up beneath my chin quite a bit. i got several stitches on my chin and they believe that it will heal fairly well. my teeth on the other hand will be fixed this monday. the dentist says that it won't be noticeable unless someone is staring very closely at them. i am worried that this will hurt my chances at becoming a model. would photographers be able to fix anything (even if it is very subtle?)

sorry this got so long... my teeth were my favorite part of my face, so i just wanted to see what you think. thanks a bunch for reading all this!! i love reading your blog...it is so helpful! =]


No apologies needed and thanks for being a reader of my blog! Oh, no, that sucks that that happened to you! Well, if the chip is slight and your dentist says it won't be noticeable, then I'm sure you'll be fine. The only reason it'll look bad is because you'll know it's there and I'm sure you'll think it looks worse than it really is. Just human nature but I'm sure to everyone else, it will be invisible. :)

As far as your chances in modeling, slight things like that can definitely be Photoshopped out so don't worry yourself over the matter. Wait until you get your teeth fixed and see how you feel. Try taking some regular pictures and see if there's a noticeable difference. But either way, this should not stop you in your pursuit of being a model. Slight imperfections get airbrushed or Photoshopped away everyday!

Answering a Reader Question #9


Ki-Ki Wrote:

All of the information that you post is very helpful. Currently I am looking into modeling and have searched a few websites. I looked at the models on those websites and their waist is usually between 23-25 and hips between a 33-35. My waist is a 27, hips are a 36 and buist a 34. I'm also 6'0. Should I try to lose an inch or two before I go to an open call?


While I can say that you will need to lose a few inches to meet the required measurements, your best bet is to hear that from the agencies themselves. I always encourage going to open calls as you are and getting as much feedback from the agencies as possible. It is their advice that is going to dictate where you go from here so even if you know that you should lose a few inches, it helps to get that confirmation from them.

Making that initial contact with an agency is important because you may make a lasting impression on them and most agencies are more than willing to let you come back at another date after you've heeded their advice. This creates a preexisting relationship with them that could work in your favor later on.

However, if you feel better about going to the open call after losing a few inches that is totally fine, too. It all depends on what makes you the most comfortable. It's about feeling good in your skin so if you don't feel 100% going in now, then take some time to work on losing the inches needed but please do so in a healthy way...no starvation or crash diets! You only need to try to get down to a 25 in the waist and a 35 in the hips so that isn't bad. Your bust measurement is fine. Hope that helps!

non biker related joke

This not biker related, but a friend just shared this with me, and I felt I should pass it along.

Ben Franklin once said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria." In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli,(E. Coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop. However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer or tequila, rum, whiskey, (other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit. There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. It is my duty as your friend and also because of my deep concern for your health.

Glider Rider's response to yesterday's post is really F'n funny!


Lady Rides a lot, A.K.A Glider rider http://ladyridesalot.blogspot.com/responded to yesterday's post with the three stages in a man's life. Really Funny!
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Got to check it out. LMFAO!



Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Tips for Using False Lashes During Shoots


The first time I ever wore false eyelashes was on the set of my 2004 JET Magazine “Beauty of the Week” shoot. I thought I’d never be able to open my eyes—the lashes were so heavy! It was quite a shock to me but soon as I looked in the mirror, I loved the way they looked.

Adding false lashes to your photoshoot can add just the right touch of glamour. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on including a pair in your next shoot. My first piece of advice is to choose your lashes wisely. In case you weren’t aware, there are many types of false eyelashes, all with their own shape, size, and style. Not one pair of fake lashes may work well with all of your looks so it helps to get your own mini collection going. I have about 5 pairs of false lashes.

MAC is great for selling top quality lashes at reasonable prices. It helps to get the assistance of someone working there to help you choose the right style. If you get your makeup done at the MAC store and add false lashes, they’ll apply them for you and you can take them home (you’ve gotta pay for them, of course!).

The type of false lashes you wear will be determined by the theme of your shoot. Make sure you’re wearing the appropriate lashes. For shoots that are commercial/print and lifestyle, stick to more natural looking false lashes. You may want to stick with your natural ones but for a little enhancement, you should seek a style that looks natural but slightly longer and curled. These will blend perfectly with your natural lashes so no one will know the difference.



Fashion shots may want to go for a more out-of-the- box style. Of course this depends on the client and the photographer’s preference. I’m sure you’ve seen the more colorful and wacky false lashes in magazines. These types of lashes should be handled very carefully.



For swimwear that doesn’t involve getting wet, as well as glamour shots that focus more on your face, you can opt for false lashes that are wide, thick and lush. They look exaggerated but photograph extremely well.



The more experience you get with false lashes, the better you’ll be when it comes to deciding which ones will work best for your shoots. Learn how to maintain and take care of your false lashes so you’ll be able to use them over and over. Keep them in separate cases and avoid getting them wet.

Three things I know about women.

Joker recently posted http://harley-davidson-mystique.blogspot.com/2008/06/say-hi-to-keeley.html Quote" I'd be home bonding with my two boys. I also missed a ride up to Bub's Barbecue this morning. Some times you just have to take one for the team - if you don't want to find all your stuff scattered all over your front lawn and driveway anyway."End quote.

I comment Joker for this, but it reminds me of the three things I know about women.

1) If she is happy, I am happy.

2) If she aint happy, aint no one happy.

and.....

3) If she aint happy for a really long time, I aint happy with half my sh*t!

But seriously, I make time for my family and give up riding time quite oftern because as much as I love motorcycles, riding and the biker brotherhood, I love my wife, kids, and family more than anything in the world.

O.K., I'm done being mushy now.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Tech. tip #6....Saving your scratched paint.



Before you spend money on a paint job for a minor scrape or scratch, have a shop look at it to see if they can wet sand and buff out the scratch on the paint. Don’t be afraid to try wet sanding and buffing before paying for that new paint that someone is trying to sell you. You have nothing to loose.

When I used to work in a body shop, I did wet sanding and buffing all the time to get rid of scrapes and scratches. Plus, I usually did it for free. I was honest about it if I thought I could get out the scrape or scratch without burning through the clear coat. This was a great future sales technique, because a satisfied customer would always come back when they done F’d up their vehicle good in an accident. It was an almost guaranteed comeback to have their collision work done at the shop.

Try a detail shop if you don’t trust the body shop to be honest. The detail shop has nothing to gain by burning through the clear, as you would not have to pay for the job, or shouldn’t anyway if they did burn through your clear coat, where as the body shop does have something to gain, a paint job. However, I know lots of body shop guys who do the same thing I did when I was in the shops still. They too solicit free work on small jobs to gain a bigger future sale. Sometimes the small scratch wet sand and buff job isn’t even worth their paperwork, as it can take only a few minutes to get them out. You just have to feel the shop out, and go with your instincts to see if they are going to really try to help you, and not try to get a sale for paint by burning through the clear coat deliberately. Just like anything, there are honest shops, and not so honest shops.

Sometimes the scratches are just too deep, and that can’t always be found out without trying to wet sand and buff out the scratch. So if you find an honest shop and they try, they’ll be up front with you and let you know it is a 50/50 shot.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Biker joke (Warning) "mildly explicit"

Three men, a Doctor, and Lawyer, and Biker were sitting at a bar drinking, and shoting the sh*t.
They got to talking about what they got their wives for their last anniversaries.

The doctor took sip of his martini and said I got my wife a diamond ring and a Mercedes. That way if she didn't like the diamond ring, she would know how much I love her because of the very expensive car I bought her.

The lawyer took a sip of his scotch and said I got my wife a pearl necklace and a trip to the Bahamas. That way she would know how much I love her, even if she didn't like the necklace.

The biker took a big swig of his beer, farted, and burped, and said I got my wife a Harley t-shirt, and a vibrator. That whay if she didn't like the shirt she could go "F" herself.

Ba-Dum-Bum

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Don’t Be Afraid to Return Those Clothes!


Doing shoot after shoot can involve tons of wardrobe, which can be any girl’s dream but if you don’t have the funds to accommodate a growing closet filled with clothes there is always the option of returning it when you’re done with your shoot. I’m being serious!

I learned about this secret from a wardrobe stylist I worked with. I went shopping with her at H&M in San Francisco (this was for my portfolio shoot for Ford) and while I loved the clothes, not all of them were exactly outfits I would wear on a daily basis and a couple of them were a tad on the pricier side.

She pulled me aside gently after I finished trying on a bunch of clothes and said, “Don’t even worry about the price…tomorrow just return them! We’ll make sure to hide the price tags during the shoot!” I was tickled pink when I heard this. And it is a common practice for everyone in the industry from models to stylists. Hey, not all of us are continuously rolling in dough! My stylist told me that there had even been times when she had to stay out of certain stores for a few weeks just because she frequently returned clothes after shoots and didn’t want them to get wise or remember her face.

Of course if you want to keep the clothes you buy, that’s totally fine. I returned all of my clothes simply because I didn’t have a need for them outside of my shoots and you can only wear one clothing item only so many times in photos. I planned on keeping one top that we purchased from a different store but it was $80 and after the shoot the threads were starting to come out. I don’t know about you but if I pay that much money for clothes, they better stay in one piece!

So for all you models out there who need clothes but are afraid of coming out of pocket, you can choose this option but do it with care. You don’t want to get caught up and ruin this practice for everyone else, including yourself. When you buy the clothes, make sure to keep all the price tags attached. During the shoot these can be tucked, pinned or faced away from the camera. Make sure you don’t get the clothes dirty—keeping your makeup off the material also counts. Be mindful…any damage to the garments will decrease your chances of being able to successfully return them.

Note the store’s return/refund/exchange policy and choose your payment method wisely (cash, check, credit card, ATM). Each store differs and there is also a timeline for when you can return items for a full refund. Don’t make the habit of returning bundles of clothes all at once often at the same store. Spread yourself out and buy a little from several stores. Returning over $100 worth of clothing items tends to draw some attention.

Modeling Opportunity for Florida Models


There is a great site called GreatGlam.com that sells really sexy and fashionable clothing and accessories online. You can see their ads on popular sites like Myspace. If you live in Florida, GreatGlam.com is looking for models, both pro and aspiring to model their fashions, which appear on their website. They are looking to hire models for $40/hour, which each shoot lasting between 2-3 hours. The hours are flexible and you have the chance to pick up more work when other models aren’t available. It’s a great chance to build a portfolio and get exposure, plus experience of course!

Your face isn’t always shown in the photos since they want to emphasize the clothes but for promo purposes and online ads, your face will be visible. This is great for models that live in or near Brandon, Florida, which is just outside of Tampa. Note that for models who live further, they don’t compensate for gas or travel but welcome those who don’t live in Brandon.

To take advantage of this opportunity, you’ll have to meet ALL of the following requirements:

- At least 18 years of age

- Hair at least shoulder length (yours or extensions--doesn't matter as long as in the photo your hair will look longer at least shoulder length)

- Good skin tone (no wrinkling, no sunspots, no signs of aging, no multiple prominent tattoos that would be very visible in the photos, no body freckles, large visible scars and no body acne)

- A great well-proportioned figure

- You must be able to model clothing that you can't wear a bra underneath without looking saggy and still have a full cleavage without a bra as many of the styles do not allow for a bra to be worn underneath

- You also must have a flat smooth toned stomach (no rolls, muffin tops, back fat, love handles, stretch marks, etc) as many of the styles are belly revealing.
- Between the sizes of 0 and 5. If you are bigger than a size 5 you won't be able to fit into the size small that is modeled

- Not at all shy- some of our styles are very revealing


If you are eligible and meet all the requirements, send the following information to dantin21@yahoo.com(Please make the subject of the email: Model job application):

Include as many recent full length and headshot photos of yourself as possible (they do not need to be professional at all we just want an idea of your shape). Photos of yourself in clothes similar to what we sell are preferable. The pictures do NOT need to be professional. We actually prefer candid photos that have not been photoshopped or edited.

You can send more than one email if needed to include more photos—the more photos the better—there is no limit on the number of photos you can send.

Include in the body of your email:

1. Your name and age
2. A contact phone number
3. The city that you live in
4. Your availability to shoot (please be very specific)
5. If you have any tattoos or scars that might be visible in our shots please
describe them and their location
6. Your bust, waist, and hip measurements (please approximate if you are not sure)
7. The size clothing and bra size that you wear
8. Your current height and weight
9. Your current hair color and length


If you are selected we'll ask you to come in for a test shoot that will take roughly one hour and you will be paid 40 dollars for the time. If selected as our regular model you'd come in 2 to 3 hours per week.

Go to this link to get the rest of the details and to check out the site itself: www.greatglam.com/modeljob.cfm.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the GreatGlam.com site one day!

Just because you can doesn't mean you necessarily should.

I, being a custom painter an all by ex trade, love all things custom. I do like some stock stuff too, but almost, (O.K.) everything I've ever owned, has practically been customized in some way. I used to not know when to quit. I couldn't always judge when enough was enough, and more was too much. My wife has been great at pointing out when I've reached this point over the years, and has helped me find subtlty in customs. This makes for a classy custom look, rather than loud and what I consider gaudy custom. I've been working on perfecting this over the years, and have actually started getting a reputation for subtle custom paint that some folks have noticed, and even commented on.

This brings me to, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you necesarily should."
I've been a fan of customs as long as I can remember. I do even love customs that are not subtle, however, I've seen some stuff out there that makes me wonder why? Again "Just because you can, doesn't mean you necesarily should."

I'm not going to pick on any one bike builder/artist, because without pushing the envelope on going to extremes, all things would remain stagnant, however, while pushing extremes, can't you look at the bike-paint job, etc. and go, O.K., that's enough, lets call it good before it goes to the point of being just plain rediculous. Who wants to ride this Sh*t anyway? And if it's just for show, What a waste. O.K. Done ranting. Thanks for listening to me. This post was inspired by a rediculous custom that I saw recently. Great bike builder known for Extremes.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Answering a Reader Question #8


Anonymous Wrote:

How does one start commercial/print modeling?


The same way you start any type of modeling, my dear: you find local agencies within your area that represent commercial/print models. You should stick to agencies that are no further than a 2 hour drive from where you live. On agency websites they will state what types of models they represent. Make sure they list "commercial/print" as one of them. While the height is more geared towards "shorter" models, there is still a requirement. Ideally the height range for a commercial/print model is between 5'5"-5'7". You can get lucky like me if you're 5'4" as long as you find an agency that likes your look. They'll easily fudge your height to 5'5".

If you have no experience, that's fine. Don't spend money on professional photos, modeling schools or classes. At this stage you don't need them. What you need is to find an agency that will help you jump start your modeling career. Go to open casting calls, get snapshots of a headshot, 3/4 body shot and full body shot, as well as any other photos the agency wants to see. They will state all this in detail on their website so follow their guidelines and you'll be set to go.

Let’s Talk About This “Fat” Issue


It hurts my heart to hear young girls, aspiring models or not, talk about how they feel “fat” compared to the fashion models they see on the runway and in magazines. And I’ve come to realize something—there’s this brainwashing process that’s been unfolding for decades. I know, that may not be news but the actual realization that did occur to me is the fact that the modeling industry’s version of the word “fat” is completely different from the general public’s version—and even the medical community’s version—of “fat.”

Think about it: everyday modeling agencies tell models that are super thin and underweight that they are “fat.” They’ve created this industry standard definition of what it means to be “fat.” And unfortunately, that particular term is now being used outside of the modeling industry, with young girls and young ladies now labeling themselves as the industry’s version of being “fat.”

Listen to me: unless you are morbidly obese or are grossly heavier than what is proportional to your own unique build, YOU ARE NOT FAT by the general public’s definition. Would I care if someone in the modeling industry called me “fat?” Hell no! If I took the industry’s definition of “fat” and applied it to myself at 5’4” and 115 pounds, then we’d all be obese! See how stupid that sounds? Well, it’s even stupider to believe it.

So young ladies and young women, listen up: stop falling for this horrible brainwashing. If you’re going to compare yourself to models in magazines and call yourself “fat” then you’re just being silly because you are not “fat” by conventional terms, nor are you obese; you are not this huge, gross thing to look down upon. You have to realize that the modeling industry has dominated the term “fat” but that doesn’t mean you have to buy into it. Whether you want to model or not, you have to know for yourself that the term “fat” being thrown around the modeling world is a distorted form of its actual meaning. Stop calling yourself “fat” when you really aren’t. Stop comparing yourself to this ideal of a woman who really doesn’t exist—at least not in the sense that she is healthy, happy and truly being herself and not what the industry has dolled her up to be.

The reality? None of us are “fat” and if the industry calls you such, that is one thing you can laugh your head off about—I know I would.

Just a phase... Yeah right!

And your parents thought it was just a phase!




Boy did they get that one wrong!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Mind Your Hands!


Unless you’re doing a parts gig or modeling jewelry, the condition of your hands is often forgotten. For any photoshoot, you can expect your hands to make an appearance or two so it helps to actually make sure your hands and fingernails are camera-ready as well as your face, hair, and the rest of your body.

Nothing looks worse than a great shot with gross looking fingernails and/or hands. You should make sure your hands are properly moisturized. Use a good quality hand cream or lotion. Carry a small tube in your purse so you’re always ready.

If you get your nails done regularly, make sure they are appropriate for your shoot. Be mindful whether your acrylic covered fingernails are going to complement or clash with the theme of your upcoming shoot. Unless specified, keep your fingernails clear and free of color and fancy designs. If you want to wear nail polish, choose a color that works with the outfits you’ll be wearing.

Even if you don’t get manicures, there are ways to take care of your nails without going to the salon. Make sure your cuticles are in good shape and aren’t suffering from unsightly hangnails. Sporting your natural fingernails? Then keep them properly filed, shaped and clean.

This is my fingernail maintenance routine that I do a few hours before my shoot or the morning/night before:

- Cut, file and shape nails.
- Clean out any gunk under my fingernails (I may also do this just before the shoot to be on the safe side).
- Soak in warm water and dry to remove dust from filing.
- Moisturize with lotion/hand cream.
- Apply clear coat polish, dry, and I’m set!

This small step definitely worked in my favor when I did my jewelry shoot. The makeup artist was amazed that I actually did my nails (apparently she’s dealt with many models that had pretty gross fingernails) and they photographed perfectly, especially for the shots where my hand was next to my face in tight shots. Can you imagine what it would have looked like had I not worried about my fingernails? Ick. Even just applying clear coat nail polish to your fingernails before your shoot will work if you’re pressed for time.

What about your toes? I prefer to have my toes done at a salon where I get French tips. It’s clean, fresh and goes with any outfit no matter what color. The guidelines are the same for feet/toes as they are for the hands/fingernails. Choose a color that works for any outfit or go au naturale and make sure to moisturize. Ashy feet have no place in pictures!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Been gone for awhile

Sorry about my absenteism on my comments last week, but I was on the North Shore on a camping trip with the wife and kids, and no computer service up there.

I brought back some pictures to share.


Cool lighthouse



Split Rock Lighthouse



Gooseberry Falls running with high fast water



More Gooseberry Falls



North Shore in the Gun Flint



North Shore in the Gun Flint



I collect knives, So I had to bring home this souveneir!






I checked my google reader. Over 100 and some blog posts unread!
I'll never get caught up!
Nice to be back.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Answering a Reader Question #7


Anonymous wrote:

This is really helpful! I was wondering though if you are on the other side of the spectrum (really tall) if that is a thing that can hinder you from modeling? I'm only 14 and I've already hit the 5'10.5"
and I still have a couple more years to grow. Is there a way to be too tall?


At this point, you don't have anything to worry about. 5'10" is the ideal height for fashion and runway models. There are models who are 6'0" and while this is typically considered too tall, many agencies gladly downplay the height and will say you are 5'11" instead of 6'0".

So don't worry, at this point your height won't hinder you and if you do happen to grow to be 6'0" your agent will fudge your height.

Friday, June 13, 2008

A beautiful picture from my ride today

I was on a back country road takin in the scenery, and had to take a picure as it was such a breathtaking road.

Figured I'd share it with you.


Isn't it beautiful?
.
I did have to watch closely for sheep though. I didn't want to hit one with the bike!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

New technology in elcetric motorcycles


I hear there is a more powerfull longer lasting battery coming in the market that will make electric motorcycles the wave of the future.











Wednesday, June 11, 2008

I Love Eyebrow Threading!


My eyebrows are probably one of the things I fuss the most about. I have unruly eyebrows that are actually very curly so it’s not just a matter of getting them shaped and clean…it’s also about taming the hairs with trimming. I started waxing some years ago and while it provided some relief, I still had to deal with my curly hairs and a lot of missed strays—even after the woman doing the waxing did some extra tweezing.

About a year or two ago I wrote an article about the art of eyebrow threading, which is an ancient practice that’s been done by Middle Eastern women for centuries. This practice was becoming very popular here in the U.S. but at the time I hadn’t thought about trying it. After managing to find a beautician who waxed my eyebrows perfectly, I thought I was in the clear. Well, she moved away and again I was left without many options until one of her old coworkers referred me to a salon down the street that did eyebrow threading. I figured I knew about it so why not?

Ever since my first threading I have never gone back to waxing! I swear by threading. For you ladies who want clean brows that are easy to maintain afterwards and look better in your photos, I definitely recommend giving it a try. I used to feel bad for the makeup artists who did what they could to make my unruly brows appear perfect, but it usually took some extra time. Now all I have to do is make an appointment at the salon and in less than 10 minutes I’m done! I don’t know how the prices vary depending on where you live but I’m fortunate enough to only have to pay $8. You heard me, $8! Check out this video that I found on YouTube that explains the process so you can see for yourself how it works:



If you are accustomed to waxing, then threading won’t be so bad. A tad uncomfortable, yes, but not too painful, depending on your tolerance. They use a pure cotton thread, which lines up the hairs and with a flick of the wrist they are able to pull out a whole row of hairs all at once. This makes for perfect shaping and removal of every single stray hair. The first time I did it I was nervous but the lady started doing it while talking to me and I didn’t even realize it was happening until she was done…haha. If you’re a newcomer to hair removal, threading may be more painful to you so I’d recommend waxing first and see how you take to it.

Quick tip for first-time threaders: wear a shirt you don’t mind getting dirty, don’t wear any makeup and don’t do your hair fancy. The amount of hairs that get removed all at once can be pretty plentiful and it will get all over your face and clothes. They use a brush to take most of it off but you’ll probably want to wash your face or take a shower afterwards to get rid of them.

So ladies, if you want beautiful brows in time for your next photoshoot without the hassle, give threading a try.

Obummer

Joker of Harley Davidson Mystique, recently did a political post called Obummer. http://harley-davidson-mystique.blogspot.com/2008/06/obummer.html



Well here is my custom painted gas tank version:



This is one of my friends at the bike shop washing sand out of a really nice custom bike's gas tank.

The owner of the bike must have really pissed someone off!

OBUMMER!!!!!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Monday, June 9, 2008

You Can't Beat Genetics


It tickles me how many hoops some girls go through in the effort to boost themselves a couple inches so they can be the right height to be a fashion/runway model. While some claim to be able to increase their height through stretching, pilates, yoga, etc., what it all boils down to is genetics. Please take your hands away from your eyes--as much as you hate to read this, I have to give you the truth.

If you want to know if you'll be tall enough to do fashion or runway, there are two main options for you. One, visit a doctor who can help you determine based on your lifestyle, eating habits and family history, how tall you could potentially grow. Of course the doctor isn't always right, as I know of a few people who grew more or less than their doctor estimated. Two, look at your family. They are the greatest indicators of all. Do your mom and dad tower over everyone? Are you brothers and sisters short? Are your grandparents on both sides tall, short or average? All of these things factor into how tall you could potentially be.

The whole genetics issue is a tough one to fight. The factors that play into your height start when you're still in your mother's stomach. Her diet, lifestyle and genetics all come into play before you're born. So in a sense, your height's destiny is already determined. Unless you're one of those crazy exceptions to the rule (like super short parents giving birth to a super tall son or daughter).

Instead of spending hours and days of your life trying to find that miracle product, pill, exercise or diet that will cause you to miraculously grow, you should turn all that energy and attention towards trying to pursue a category of modeling that actually welcomes your height, not hinders it. Height potential decreases the older you get so if you're already 16 or older, chances are you aren't going to experience a growth spurt large enough to allow you to walk the runway. But that doesn't mean you can't appear in a magazine or catalog. Catch my drift? Stop focusing on what you aren't and focus on what you are and find the right fit in your modeling career Besides, don't you know stress can stunt your growth? Just kidding. Or am I? See, how exhausting it is to try and analyze all this? Stop worrying and start modeling already!

Answering a Reader Question #6


Ki-Ki Wrote:

After reading your blog I found it very helpful. Currently, I am a 19 year old college student in the Philadelphia area. I want to do modeling as a way to earn extra money. I have even had plenty of comments from people I know and dont know about modeling. This also inspired me to look into it. I have no experience and not exactly sure how the modeling thing works. But, I can get serious about it and make it work. Thus, would it be a good move for me to get some really good pictures taken and just go to an creditable agency or is it another way to go about this?????????



Hi, Ki-Ki! To answer your question, you do not need professional photos at this point to snag an agency. However, if you want to do test shoots to see if this is something you really want to get involved in, feel free to do so. Just make sure you network with legit and pro photographers.

That being said, if you do want to find a good agent in your area to get you work, all you'll need are basic snapshots. These should be clear, good quality and can be taken with a regular digital camera. I've added some photos for reference...don't feel like you need to copy exactly what's in the photo. Mostly use it for reference in the way the person is posed and how the shot is taken. The minimum shots agencies look for are:

1) headshot: from the shoulders up or a tighter shot. Make sure you're looking straight at the camera. No makeup and wear your hair naturally as long as it is out of your face. Do one headshot with no smile and one with a nice and genuine smile.

Example:



2) 3/4 body shot: this is usually shot from the thigh-up. It helps to wear an age appropriate swimsuit that is a solid color and complements your skin tone. No logos or brand names on the clothing in any of these photos. The 3/4 pose isn't a profile but your torso should be turned slightly away from the camera. It helps to put your hand on your hip.

Example (the girl on the right is doing the ideal 3/4 pose):



3) full body shot: include your feet. Wear a swimsuit for this as well. No shoes or socks. Stand up straight but comfortable (no stiffness) with your arms resting comfortably at your sides. You can choose to smile or not smile.

Example:



Most agencies will state on their websites exactly what type of photos they are looking for so that helps, too.

The bottom line: get these basic shots done and then start looking for local, legit modeling agencies. Steer clear of anyone who claims you need to pay for any up front fees BEFORE offering you a contract and also avoid modeling schools and organizations trying to get you to pay for classes. You're better off dealing with the actual agency themselves. If you need help finding agencies, send me an email and I can get you a list of ones you can check out.