The Ten Commandments of Modelling

1.   Know who you are working with. 

Check references, even for major agencies. If freelancing, contact past collaborators and Google the person. If approaching an agency, check the validity of the agency by either contacting other models, if possible, and/or searching their name and reputation online.

2.   Communicate effectively, efficiently, and honestly. 

Ask questions concerning the shoot, location, hair, makeup, and props! Respond – even if you are saying no (it’s professional, respectful, and you will not be burning that bridge you may desire one day). NEVER take an assignment that you are not 100% comfortable with. NEVER breach your own boundaries unless you are 100% okay with it and have given it serious thought.

3.   Arrive ready and on time! 

Your first impression was made the initial moment you two made contact. There is a second sort-of first impression the moment they lay eyes on you. Don’t dampen your awesomeness and professional reputation arriving even five minutes late. Time is money, even if it is for TF. Your every word and move matter. They 

will be watched and remembered, consciously and otherwise.

4.   Take care of yourself. 

This extends from making sure you get enough sleep and drinking enough water to minimizing stressful people in your life. You are your canvas. Every decision you make will show on your body and demeanor one way or another. Take care of yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically. No amount of money can make a picture amazing if you are neglecting yourself.

5.   Go in with little, come out with little. 

Group shoots, conventions, any work conventions you go to may require you to take your ID and a small amount of cash ($10 or less). Do not bring any card other than your ID. Your physical safety is more important than your financial safety, but not by much. Better to be alive and poor, but easier to avoid any concern of cards being stolen, lost, or otherwise.

6.   Respect will get you a long way. 

You do not need to kiss the ass of every person you encounter and work with. In fact, please, don’t. However, you are an adult with the ability to mind your manners. Say “please” and “thank you”. Open the door for others. Clean up after yourself. Stay off your phone when speaking with someone – especially about work. Leave a shoot location in better condition than when you arrived. Seriously. Major brownie points.

7.   Practice, practice, and mess up. 

Congratulations! You are human! You will NOT be a total bad ass when you start out. In fact, it takes some serious time, dedication, effort, and commitment to get that flower to bloom. This means that you need to make the effort to practice doing your hair, makeup, and poses in your free time. You are a creative soul, so exploit yourself! Tutorials for hair and makeup are available by the thousands on YouTube alone. Go crazy! Spend a night or two a week doing your face and learning how to use the tools at hand. You don’t need hundred dollar tools to make yourself look amazing. You will improve, with time. You will mess up. Then, you’ll keep getting better.

8.   Daydream. 

Cultivate your own shoot ideas! If you decide that you have an idea that you want to capture, start laying out all the details. Location, makeup, poses, concepts, props, hair, and anything monetary that may factor in. Why do this? One, it is a chance to network. Two, you’re helping keep your creativity alive. Three, chances are that a photographer will NOT know what to do. Having a list of solidly planned ideas at the ready will go a very long way for coming across prepared, ready, and helpful.

9.   Confirm your work.

Two days before an assignment, email or call the person hosting you to confirm the time, date, and location of the shoot. It sucks to be ditched, and you want to alleviate your host/employer of any concern you may be a flake. To top it off, you may have inherently misunderstood a detail. This is a great way to cover everything previously discussed and remove room for error. Confirm the day of, and you are gambling money and time that you cannot replace.

10.  Leave the drama at the door. 

Keep your opinions to yourself unless it is of righteous virtue that you voice it. For example, if you discover a person stealing, say something. If you hear Suzie ranting about her boyfriend’s mother’s baby daddy drama, don’t bother. If you had a nightmare of a morning before coming to work, no one cares. You aren’t proving that you are resilient and a badass. It comes off as complaining and asking for pity 95% of the time. Chances are, you’ll never be that 5%. Pay sincere compliments where they may be due. Don’t be afraid to smile. Keep it clean, laugh, and enjoy the company you are with. The negative stuff? It will either be there when you walk back out the door, if it’s even worth picking back up to begin with.

Ultimately, enjoy your time as you explore the industry as a model. You will be rejected and you will be accepted. You will hit a wall. You can either climb it or walk around it. Grow as a person, love yourself, then reach out and create something worthy of being tied to your name – whether or not those of us around you are conscious of it. Maintain your health and well-being. You’re no good to the world dead or hurt. If you are hurting, reach out. Someone will always be there to help you. Don’t be afraid to say no. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Don’t be afraid to be you. You have more potential than you may care to realize. If you can lay your head on your pillow at the end of the day and be confident that you have honored your soul and mind, you’re quite alright. Enjoy!

Homo Erectus

One of my titles in life: college student. I often find it pleasant to find a spot to embrace my thoughts or simply be and observe: A gentle breeze keeps dark green foliage in a constant rustle while it slips through hair and the clothing people have. It's warm, but the dancing wisps of wind keep us from feeling the strength of it. I can hear the chatter of a couple women in their twenties fifty head behind me and to my left discuss their Anatomy and Physiology expectations and nerves while marveling about all of the glowing words of their professor. 

I know the professor. He's a kind, Asian man who has this brain full of knowledge, wisdom, and off-kilter humor. If thieves were in the business of selling knowledge, I would recommend using him as a starting point - granted he didn't need it anymore. However, he does have an audience of leeches, and I can proudly claim that I was one of the greedy little students, hoping to gain some of his insight of the world in terms of homo erectus and the interactions around it.

Speaking of interactions, there are three young boys standing at the top of the very long flight of stairs I've settled near. One appears to be eighteen or nineteen, while the other two are roughly twenty-three. All three come from different parts of the globe, and all three keep shifting their weight while they discuss something I can't comprehend. It's funny though; the longer they talk, they more they shift their weight and feet (especially while they laugh). In the four minutes they have been standing there, they have meandered nearly eight feet to the left, edging away from the stairs and towards a handicap only elevator. They have no purpose for the elevator; they merely keep shifting that direction.

My vantage point extends down over about a quarter of the campus as the staircase lends gateway into the lower half of the college. Our new library is reflecting the unhindered sunlight the most, making the eye glance in it's general direction at first. Our little theater? It reluctantly whispers its age standing next to the brand new, prized library. Both are glorious in their own rights. One holds an plethora of brain munchies, glass walls, and researching resources. The other holds graduations, plays, and concerts alike. Both valuable. Both priceless in their own right. Both bring a particular source of communion amongst spirits of all ages pursuing all walks of life. 

The path that each person chooses is a private matter resulting from inner toil, larger callings, and the pursuit of happiness. The means by which these roads are traveled vary vastly. Perhaps some forget to realize that one does not need to be directly on a visible trail in order to cover some distance. The last time you were at a park or, say, a beach, there was a chance that you saw someone not walking on a walkway or road. Instead, they walked in the sand, on the grass, or in the dirt. What's the significance of this? They were following the path, but had a purpose for their choice. Just like the person making contact with the pavement.

What you likely also remember is that some people may never have touched the ground in getting there.

Inventing Eventful Event Experiences

        My very first experience at a group shoot was incredibly fun and equally irritating. How could that be, you´re likely wondering? I had been shooting with a handful of other women throughout the day during a group shoot, and the *one-on-one's had started. Two shoots in, I came to learn that my things had been rumaged through and discovered missing money I had stashed deep in my bags from a shoot. The annoyance that shot through my face and brain was one I can still remember. Truth be told, however, it lasted only for a couple hours and, half the time, I was mulling over my luck with thieves. All of the other girls had left full purses in an open, empty room nearly ten models visited throughout the day. How did I end up being the only one missing well hidden money? My unfortunate experience aside, I decided on a few changes that I hold true to and recommend for group shoots - no matter who you shoot with and where the creativity is going down:

1. Walk in with little, leave with just as much. Come to find out, I wasn't the only model who has experienced theft in their modeling career. While I have never had any belief that "x" "just won't happen to me", it made grateful to have lost only cash as opposed to a credit card, atm card, and $250 lingerie piece. I did not bring in a purse with me to the shoot - especially with the knowledge that the house is community property, so to speak. Keep this in mind wherever you go. Group shoot, private shoot, any shoot requires your ID, your phone, your keys, and not much else past styling items and clothing. Theft happens anywhere and everywhere. 
2. Valuables should not leave your side. Ever. I have seen brand new iPads be left without supervision in open areas. Fat wallets have been peeking out of very full purses. Brand new phones buzz just under a shirt you tossed onto your suitcase. Anything of value, including your car keys, need to go with you. Why? If I were a thief and your car is parked out of the sight of 95% of the people shooting, my chances of getting into your business are pretty good. I may not take your car, but you may have other goodies in there.  Did you bring your credit card with you? Stick it in a small purse and take it with you. ID? Gift card? Square swiper? Business cards? Phone? It also goes with you. Less is best.
3. Be comfortable with the idea that your hundred plus dollar lingerie or jewelry piece might disappear without your consent. Carrying your suitcase around with you is completely impractical and unprofessional. It isn't something I recommend. However, please, do yourself the favor of not leaving blatantly expensive pieces in broad daylight. Yes, your corset may be the most stunning thing I have yet to see, and thank you for showing me! But, don't play temptress and leave it strewn about like you could care less. Everything we purchase as models is replacable; let's be honest. That doesn't mean that we should have to replace it if we can help it. We work hard for our goodies! Let's keep them!
4. Shut. Up. Stop. Bragging. "I just bought this ADORB french lace bra! It makes my boobs look absolutely flawless, and the color looks amazing on me." Attention will get you nowhere - except for maybe a lighter bag when you leave. We all love that feeling of sheer adoration for our finer posessions - especially if we worked for it and earned it. Making people lust after you, your emotions about the piece, and desire that same feeling isn't putting any points in your corner. For all you know, too, jelousy or "putting you in your place" type of thoughts may come up. Keep the spirit light and put good intentions out into the world you're working in. Forcing your insanely expensive bra down my throat will make people avoid you - or go the extra mile to make the bragging rights their own.

        I found myself advising a new model in a recent shoot to keep her valuables with her for generic safety and good keeping. My general rule is to be able to fit 95% of your valuables in one hand, preferably something clutch size. Not the loop to a bag. Not over your shoulder. ONE hand. Uno. There are a few reasons for this: One, it's easy to keep a comb or lipgloss in there for a super fast touch up. Two, it's not hard to carry around as you change sets (don't forget it!). Three, it's easy to tuck contact cards in there. Four, you don't have to wonder if any of your valuables are safe!

        Best of wishes as you continue your journeys as artists! Be conscious of your surroundings, and never believe that you're exempt from others' will. Enjoy your shoots worry free, and it will definitely come through in your pictures. 

With Love,

Aina

Nothing is Still Something

        No matter where you are in life, the moment you choose to begin a new experience, you're change your life forever even if, yes, you do nothing. Deciding you will start running every morning or five times a week? Congrats! You have altered your mindset forever. Decided to travel the world? Great! You have altered your mindset forever. Have you elected a new friendship? Fantastic! You have altered your mindset forever. How you have chosen to alter yourself, however, is up to you. You have two options: The first is to fully pursue this new endeavor. Consequently, you may meet new people, experience new sights, and gain life experience points. The second is to do nothing, which may result in "would-a, should-a, could-a" mentality or a self-esteem lowering. Regardless of what you choose, your decision, period, will change you. 

        Modeling is my thing. Networking makes me happy. Using my body to create pictures that are worthy of hanging in a gallery or a wall at home makes me happy. Being true to myself makes me happy. I was tossing around the idea about starting my journey as a model for about a week. "To hell with it!" I told myself. "I would rather try it, than never know and wonder." I did it. I continue to do it, and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have chosen to do.

        I had the opportunity to do a semester abroad in Spain. I wanted to go. I decided to go. The idea of borrowing someone else's money, however, to support my adventure was dishonorable. I had the support, both monetarily and emotionally, but asking for help in funds made me uncomfortable. Truth be told, it still does. I had the option to work my butt off and obtain at least a good portion of that money myself - if not all. But, I opted not to. I ended up talking myself down and thinking I couldn't do it, despite how much I wanted to. There's more history to that story, but the point remains: My decision to do go on this trip changed me as it was one more Domino that fell and shriveled in it's lifelessnes. I was acting out a helpless story, which was how I felt, in many ways, at the time. This decision fed that story and fire.

        If you decide to do something, I want to encourage you to follow through and do it with a realistic mindset. There is nothing wrong with putting a pause on a plan to re-evaluate what you believe you will be doing and how you will be doing it. As you go through the decision making process, be aware as to why you're doing what you're doing as well. Having ill intentions for yourself or others may not hurt you now, but what come's around goes around. Be selfish and make a decision for yourself. Plan. Work for it. Read motivational blogs or books. Immerse yourself. Just do it. (Insert Nike Logo Here)

With <3,

Aina

        

            Photographer: MSlygh

Fighting Yourself on Your Own Turf

      I have allowed myself to be put through the ringer and pushed myself down a hole or two. I'll admit it. Initially, especially on websites like Model Mayhem, glamour modeling is HUGE! Initially, some of it was pretty. Some of it. Was. After a while of doing my own research, partaking in the genre, networking with the masses, I came to determine that I am not a glamour model - not in the typical American sense at least. While I firmly believe that we can be anything that we want to be, I also firmly believe in acknowledging the limitations due to the cards in your hand. 

                      Photographer: MSlygh

       I am me. I am an artistic nude model. I'm an artistic nude model with a sex appeal switch. I'm an artistic nude model who can pull of some sexy pictures without the need for a big rack (my blessings went down to my ass - for those of you who didn't know). I have also come to acknowledge that perhaps my distate for glamour modeling stems from an overwhelming type of people that I ultimately end up surrounded by. I have met very few people who were less than honorable, but it's simply not very satisfying to me as an artist to have sex appeal all the damn time. Not THAT type of sex appeal. 

       I am me. I'm not a sex object. I love sex. I love being sexy. I love pictures of my sexy self being sexy. But what I love most is this beautiful body that I have been gifted by the Universe. It's meant for greatness - spiritually, physically, mentally, and all wrapped up in one satin red bow. (SIde note: Many people, including myself, like being objectified - even if just for a moment at times. When every shoot I participate in revolves around this objectification, I don't feel as human and, in turn, like I'm not living life the way I should and strive to.)

       I am me. I love glamour. I love artistic nudes. I love cosplay. I love fashion. Hell, I even love tasteful bondage! In no way will I ever bash any sort of genre, but I do implore that you experience more than one genre and determine which one feels like it clicks with your soul. It doesn't have to just be one! I've begun my genre as a cosplayer, glamour, artistic nudes, life style, fashion, etc. I like being me. Me has many facets - and it shows in the projects I do as a model. Don't limit yourself. Have fun. Say yes. Say no. Smile. Get pissed. Fight for someone else. Respect yourself. But never say that you "just can't do it" because "you don't have what it takes". Liars don't get very far in life.

With <3,

AIna

Practice your Kegels (men, you too)

     Le gasp! What does this have to do with modeling?

Everything.

      Initially, I wanted to type say that I wished that the world was not focused on beauty and aesthetics, and that we should label things based on society's standards, but I caught myself before I typed the first word. Scratch that. I am glad that our world is focused on beauty and aesthetics - whether we are aware of it are not! How dull life would be if our attitudes and personalities didn't show through in our craftsmanship! 

     Consider the child (or adult) who creates massive Lego structures, pouring their blood, sweat, and soul into their baby. Consider the finance student who fell asleep on his books, beyond fatigued in his venture to learn the makings of his trade. Perhaps I can tickle your fancy with the knowledge you already have of the time he/she/they spent being denied before they were picked up and focused on. Or, be daring and get brave. What about your hobby? That thing that gets your blood simmering and pumping?

      There's a book I'm reading called "Ooh La La!" by Jamie Cat Callan. It's all about French women's secrets to beauty and feeling top notch, beautiful, and glowing every day. My birthday recently passed, and I was gifted gift cards to Barnes & Noble - one of my favorite stores. In the effort of trying to save money and trying something new, I randomly picked two books from the clearance to section. Truth be told, I didn't and still do not want to read them. I have yet to crack them open, and I have decided to return them as soon as I am able to. I picked up "Ooh La La!", feeling slightly silly about wanting to read a book about beauty, French women, and little tips. I should be reading more interesting and valuable materials! Expanding my horizons! Psh. Yeah. That's what I have imposed upon myself that I "think" I should be doing - not what I want to do. So, I bought this little book - money aside.

     My last blog post was about learning lessons wherever you wanted and could. Life throws lemonade your way, premade - you just have to find those little pitchers, sit down, and drink some. I'm not even half way through the book, but I am completely in love. Why? Do I not know the secret to being beautiful? I am a model. I do know the secret. I've known the secret for a very long time. I've made it a bigger deal in the most recent years. Would you like to know what it is? This book agrees with me. So do countless other blogs, self helps, and people.

I am myself. No more. No less. I am me without shame.

       That's it! Now, with that said, a person never stays the same throughout their entire life. Your body changes as you age, as it should. Why can your mind and soul not do the same? One of the reason's why I brought up the book "Ooh La La!" is because there is a very important point mentioned that I have realized to be true and quite intriguing: Women in America feel as though vanity is a chore and obligation, but should be cherished from a distance (hence botox, implants, avoiding aging, etc) and all "cheats" must be payed for right now while you are ridden with guilt. French women, however, want to be seen AND touched - hence why they take care of themselves so well. Spending time to be happy, present, investing in relationships with every person you meet (even in stores!), spending time on yourself, eating that piece of chocolate cake, and not feeling guilty about ANYTHING? NO choice they make? Sign me up.

      Granted, I've been very much tuning into the workings of my mind, soul, and feeding my brain with things that interest me and make me happy more-so - especially as of late. I've been taking the time to REALLY take care of myself - not just superficially. I don't diet. I naturally eat better because I want the best for myself and am quite in tune with how things make me feel and why. I meditate. I relax. I take a bath. I have been investing in my candle collection again as well as my bottles of lotion. Mmmm..... In turn, I must say, I have been happier on a different level, and it affects everything I do.

       Here's my biggest kicker: I don't feel guilty for wanting to spend time with myself. It's actually time to reset my button and allows me to think without the stress of constantly doing something. And it changes a person's persona when they meet their own needs, are happy with themselves, THEN take care of others. I've noticed that I have more to give after I have given to myself. I've been raised to believe that you put others first, and, now that I'm thinking about it, it doesn't really make sense. Eventually, you won't have anything left to give and will become just a shell. Nothing inside. Just a shell. No one's home. Not even the light's are on.

      Do you want to be a good model? Take care of yourself for more than just the reason of being pretty. Feel good about you. Feel good about your body. Feel good about taking a nap during the day, about getting a massage, about taking a walk when you have sixty million things to do, and about buying that candle that you adore. More than just your modeling will change. 

You Never Stop Learning

     ( Unless you're dead, of course. )

     In the course of time that I have been a model, I have been exposed to a variety of situations that could be taken for better or for worse. Some of those situations cause me to cringe, and some of the others make me smile despite the turn of events. Life can be a harsh master, but it is one of the best ones I can have ever asked for. In the two plus years that I have been talking with strangers, promoting myself, building myself as a person and model, and stripping for cameras, the stories are great, but the lessons are greater.

    I had a shoot with a photographer who is very involved in Los Angeles and Hollywood PR work. It was one of my first shoots. We decided that we would be shooting test shots for a clothing line I wanted to represent as well as doing a few outdoor nudes in three tier waterfalls (I had never seen my skin turn close to blue before that day). I met the a very energetic young man with a professional air who was geared with a camera bag, two water bottles, and a good sized camera that didn't appear to fit the case hanging from his shoulder. This shoot, to my realization, entailed us walking a solid three or four miles uphill, downhill, across brooks, and through VERY thick brush. As we started out, he found a rock he wanted to shoot me on. Great! The shot would look great if we worked together well. I agreed to get to it. I wasn't aware that the way to reach this large rock was via walking through dry, dense bushes about one hundred feet until I could crawl onto this rock for safety. Truth be told, I was not a happy camper, but I had committed to this shot that he and I wanted. My poor legs rapidly became decorated with scratches and small beads of blood due to only bringing shorts for this particular shoot.

Lesson #1

Always bring pants and good walking shoes when working outdoors. Always. Even if it's "just a short stroll".

     We got some great shots! I was pleased. I quickly skittered back to the path, blazing my own slightly less painful way to safety. Next were the waterfalls. As we walked the sandy trail, we had time to learn more about one another. I asked him about his profession and how he started making his way into the business, if he truly enjoyed what he did, and where he could see himself going. In turn, he asked me the same thing. Our conversation went something like this:

Photographer: What made you start wanting to model?

Me: My parents are getting divorced, and it's ugly. Watching all of that mayhem taught me that life is short, and that I need to do what I want to do. I can't keep pleasing everyone else, and I'm an artist. This is another form of art I want to experience.

Photographer: ... That's a brutally honest answer. I wasn't expecting that.

Me: *shrugs* I enjoy being blunt and honest. Do you tend to get flowery answers?

Photographer: Yeah. I get things about how they want pretty pictures of themselves or their friend is doing it so they want to.

Me: Well, vanity is fun. I'm not going to say no to that. It's more than that to me, though. 

Photographer: I see. Where do you want to go with it?

Me: I can't honestly give you an answer to that at the moment. Not in the sense of "Vogue" or anything. I want to push myself and experience a different culture. I'm fascinated by the industry, and it's definitely a bit of a personal journey.

Photographer: How so?

Me: Ever since I was little, I would take anything anyone ever told me personally and as truth. I knew they were wrong, but I must be wrong about myself if they were seeing something different. So, they must be right. Telling people they were wrong and fighting for myself was weird. I didn't like conflict. So I bit my tongue. It didn't make me happy though.

Photographer: Happiness is very important in life. I'm glad you're making a change. I can see that you have something special. Do you think that you're good at modeling and have a future to it?

Me: I know I'm good at it. I just started a couple months ago, and I already know I'm better than your average model. I'm not trying to be full of myself, but I want to make a career out of this and work very hard for it.

Photographer: Your confidence is great! Are you charging yet?

Me: I want to, but people keep telling me that I'm not ready to yet and that I can't charge what I want to.

Photographer: Let me tell you something - maybe you just need the reminder. Charge what you're worth. You are obviously confident in your skills, and I can see that you have great potential. Never let other people limit you. If you want to charge x amount, do it! You can go as far as you want to.

Lesson #2

Angels come in many forms.

     Prior to the shoot, I had a knock out, heated argument with my parents and was feeling very small. However, whenever I model, a different Aina comes out. One who is happy, strong, confident, and far from small.

     Anyone who knows me personally will know that my parents' divorce is equal to walking on thorns while trying to balance a six tier cake on one's head. My parents have been less than supportive for my choices to varying degrees. I'll write about that at another time. Some people suffer from their significant others tearing them down and leaving them emotionally and mentally battered with their family behind them telling them to leave and coddling them when they need the love. The opposite is true for me. When this photographer told me to not let other people limit me and gave me such a pep talk that I didn't ask for, he didn't realize that he had made me incredibly happy. Later that week, I moved out.

Lesson #3

Your future is not determined by other people. Don't let someone tell you "no".

With Love,

Aina