A while back I had mentioned that I was going to give modeling a try. Since then, I’ve gone on a total of two photoshoots and have worked on learning quite a bit about the modeling industry. I figured I’d share what I’ve learned so far.

It’s not easy work.

First off, my respect for models has grown exponentially. That’s not to say that I never respected them, but you don’t realize how hard it actually is until you try it.

A photoshoot that lasts a couple of hours will wear you out. It’s tiring to keep posing, yet you still have to look as cute and fresh and happy as when you started. It’s not something you can keep up unless you’re having fun and you like it. I was actually a bit sore the next day after my second shoot. (My abs hurt, ha.)

It also makes you focus quite a bit on yourself. For me, it can drag up a lot of old thoughts of inadequacy and insecurity. I tend to over-scrutinize every little thing, and while I need to pay attention it isn’t something that needs to be super hardcore. Mostly it’s just keeping in good shape and clean and all the stuff you should do normally. (Only I can take it to extremes, especially when it comes to weight.)

So much for downsizing the closet…

Funny enough, I wanted to get rid of some of my clothes. Now I’ve come to realize that I need MORE clothes, ha.

Different shoots with different outfits require a wide variety of clothes I just don’t have, such as different color bikinis or nice dresses or any number of outfits. (Certainly matching undergarments, which I have little of, I hate to admit.)

So in the past month alone I’ve stepped back into the clothes shopping ring and gotten a few things with modeling in mind, and I also take it into consideration when I go to buy anything else. It’s funny doing it, but it helps make sure that I feel good in what I get and that it’s all very functional. (Ha! I’m even into function when it comes to clothes…. Lol.)

But I still search for good deals, just as I do for my car parts. I easily spent more on the 240SX and Miata in the last month than on clothes for me, no worries!!

Still hoping for car work!

My first shoot to get my portfolio started was with our S2000, so that was definitely car-related haha. The second shoot I did was a studio shoot, so the closest I got to cars was CarsxGirl’s current facebook profile picture, with a cute race-inspired outfit.

I’m planning on a lot of work with another local photographer, ranging a fair bit but incorporating some car work and also some bike work. With my tattoos, I’m pretty well suited for modeling with Harley’s, ha. I don’t mind though, because I adore bikes. I’m still working on getting one of my own…

Not sure where it’ll all go, but I’m working on finding my own place in the industry, which is all I can ask for. I used to think that my tattoos would hold me back from too much, until I realized that they really just set me apart… And when it comes to modeling, being different and having a great attitude are what it boils down to.

One thing I’d like to try is becoming an HIN girl, though I’m not sure how that’ll all work out… And while import models have a pretty bad rap, I’d like to think that wouldn’t stop me from being one and showing how different some girls are.

After all, I seem to love breaking stereotypes… Why not take it to another level?