When I was 14, everyone from my parents to complete strangers told me I should go into modeling. But I feared rejection. I feared not being good enough and doing something wrong. Having been a part of the music program at NNHS since freshman year, the music scene was my comfort. It was a part of me.

Freshman year, I took a leap of faith and sent my pictures to a modeling agency. I was supposed to receive a confirmation email in three to four weeks, but I never heard back. Three years later, I decided to give it another shot. I found an agency that interested me, submitted my pictures and within months I was doing test shoots, helping photographers build their portfolio, even working with jewelers to promote their companies.

So is that it? Do you just show up, look pretty and stand there? Nope. Photoshoots are all about going outside your comfort zone; you have to be vulnerable and have emotion. Since I am used to performing onstage, I have been trained to step out of the box and into character. The modeling scene is no different.

I’ll never forget my first real shoot. The photographer was blasting music and kept telling me to “just feel the music”. She played specific songs for each type of mood she was looking to capture. “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez played as she had me in a dark mood. “Skinny Love” by Birdy played when she told me to be dreamy.

Yet the model life may not be as dreamy as you think. For one location shoot, I was sent to Wisconsin Dells to work on an ad for the indoor waterpark at Chula Vista Resort. I stayed overnight at a hotel and call time was 6 a.m. We went to the waterpark before doors were opened to the public and the whole crew was there. A typical crew includes the photographer, a co-photographer, an equipment guy, the lady who carries snacks and runs to get coffee for people, the makeup/hair/stylist person, the person who is the “boss” and usually some random people standing around but still have a big part in what’s happening. Once we met at the waterpark, they let us in and we got ready immediately. Lights were set up while I got my makeup and hair done. I was given my outfit and we started right away.

This shoot was promoting a water slide, which happened to be the tallest in the park. I had to go down the slide, smiling and excited, then walk up five flights of stairs to repeat the same thing every ride down. Needless to say, my legs were sore for the next three days. It is never just a one shot thing. I went down that slide at LEAST seventeen times because the camera might not have been on the right setting or maybe the water was splashing too much in my face, and yes, a photographer will call you out to tell you everything you’re doing wrong (yes, I’ve been called out). But that’s their job- to get you out of your comfort zone to complete this vision they have in their mind. It was a very cool experience.

But I just sugar coated everything, so here are the downfalls. I miss a lot of school. I’ve been mailed letters from the deans regarding the amount of time I’ve missed, which then lead to meetings with them  every time I miss a day for a shoot.

Before getting into this industry, when I thought about models, I figured they made an abundance of money. After being introduced to the salary, I have realized I am fortunate enough to make more than the average retail worker, but not the amount everyone fantasies. The rate I am paid for a shoot is determined by the location, the hours, and how big of a roll I have in the shoot.

During the shoots, I  have to be patient and alert. Being professional is key, especially when I’m working with top of the line crews. I was once at a casting call and I was put in a group of five people. We were given a list of directions and actions we needed to do and I could tell one of the guys in my group was not doing anything he was told. The photographer got so fed up with him and asked him to leave because he was not giving 100%.

If the photographer doesn’t like what I’m giving them, they’ll tell me straight to my face and give me a hard time until I fix it. I was once doing a shoot for a photographer and I could tell right away she was not having a good day. The photos she was taking were going to be on her website to build her portfolio. She was in charge of the “mood” she wanted to create. It was a five-hour shoot, and by hour four we were both pulling out as much energy as we could. She tried to get so many things out of me but could tell I wasn’t feeling it. Though she was kind about it, she said, “I don’t think either of us are giving it our all right now.” We decided to continue the shoot another day.

There is so much more that goes into a single picture than meets the eye. Despite all of the time and hard work, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.  

Having a job in this field has taught me to appreciate what other people do. Taking initiative in your own life and doing what you want to do is the best advice I could give someone. I took my own advice and I am happy with where I am today.