Model Insider Spotlight - Lumigraphics - MI 85

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I was in the Navy in San Diego and needed a hobby. 35mm SLRs were popular and a couple of months before I picked up my Canon AE-1 Program, Queen Elizabeth had visited our ship and I only had a cheap 110 camera to photograph her with. I decided I wanted a real camera. By the time I got out of the service, I was hooked on photography.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Part-time pro. I've been in business on and off for 25 years.

Model Insider Spotlight - Jessie Murray - MI 6058

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I did some modeling as a young child. I am my mother's baby, and I was my father's only, so they were so obsessed with taking as many pictures of me as possible. They even had an artist paint a real big picture of me as a baby. As years went by I started to get more and more interested in modeling. When I was 17 years old my fiance at the time (John Hood) took pictures of me that had gotten me noticed on MM and then after that I never stopped.

Model Insider Spotlight - Teresa Myers - MI 9040
Photo Credit: Photographer: Kelly E

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I got started modeling when I was 18 (almost 7 years ago) by signing up just for fun, on an online model networking website, similar to MI! The requests for shoots came in, and so began my hobby of creating amazing images! It soon turned into a passion, and I transformed my hobby into a full time job throughout the years by networking and working with as many photographers, MUAS, etc.. as possible!

Model Insider Spotlight - Alyssa C - MI 9508

How did you get started as a Makeup Artist? What brought you to it?
My mother was a Fashion Designer so I was brought up around color and fabrics and I loves playing with her box of pastels. I have always known what I wanted to be since I was very little. When I picked up her pastels it felt like they were apart of me.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I consider myself a pro because I feel I go above and beyond what I am suppose to do. Ive been in this industry for over 20 years.

Model Insider Spotlight - Prose Photography - MI 3006

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
Photography is something I started in High School: Yearbook, school paper, and finally shooting sports for the local newspaper. Then college, life, and the theft of my equipment interfered. Thirty-four years later I bought digital equipment to photograph some of the locations I hiked to. It was some posted photos taken in Lake Tahoe that brought me to the attention of a business associate (also a photographer) who became my mentor.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
In my opinion, part of being a Pro includes making a living from what you do. I treat this as a hobby while constantly attempting to bring my skills to a Pro level. Who knows, retirement from my day job is only a short time away.

Model Insider Spotlight - Amelia Simone - MI 9156
Photo Credit: Photographer: Larry O'Keefe

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
Literally 1 year ago, I picked up a magazine, maybe Bloomingdales, and said “Hey”, I want to do this. I was always told my friends and family since I was about 16 that I should model, but no time was the right time for me. It was only when I had built enough confidence and self-reliance that I felt the time was right. So I started by doing Casual work, nothing risqué, and I thought about doing nudes.

Model Insider Spotlight - Pretty Thoughts - MI 9234
Photo Credit: Photographer: Rubicat Design & Photography

How did you get started in wardrobe design? What brought you to it?
I learned latex design in efforts to cut down on my spending. Finding that I had a knack for it and with requests from others, I began designing.

 

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I am a professional-- this is my day job and only source of income.

Model Insider Spotlight - Joe Fogg Photography - MI 1875

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I got started in photography around 10 years ago to relieve stress and take my mind off of my full time job and just went nuts from there. Learning and shooting anything and everything, the next thing I knew people liked my work enough that I was making some money to feed my out of control need to shoot and learn more.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I consider myself a very good semi-pro just because I'm not in a commercial setting or pro studio and I'm limited on my shooting time do to my full time job.

Model Insider Spotlight - Talia Mckaila - MI 9470
Photo Credit: Photographer: Jesse Sherman

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
In 2008 while I was living in Chicago, I was contacted by a photographer named Scott and he asked me if I would be interested in doing a photo shoot with him. I decided to give it a shot because it was something new. I was under the impression that I was not very good at modeling until other photographers started contacted me asking me to do photo shoots with them. Shortly after, there was no better place for me than in front of the camera!

Model Insider Spotlight - Magicc Imagery - MI 493

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I have always seemed to be involved in one form or another of the arts. Played different instruments in elementary School as well as always had art classes there. I picked up a guitar when I was 5 and learned the song that my older sister was supposed to be learning from lessons in one day. I kept playing too. Even was in musicals and plays too. I always had art classes throughout School (mostly general art – Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, and such), and eventually graduated High school as an Art Major (Lost wax casting, Painting, drawing, Jewelry). I find now that it was very unique that my school had a structured art major program. Music was always in there too. I played in a couple bands in high school.

Model Insider Spotlight - Trevor Mark - MI 404

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I actually got started by infatuation. Ever since I was little I had a love for imagery. As I grew up the passion intensified by seeing how much of an effect it can have on people of various genres. So I started experimenting on myself via Myspace and a Kodak digital camera. Working my way through Photoshop, I learned a few tricks of the trade, the best angles to shoot a face, a body and how to contort. The rest is really history! People asked me to model for them!

Model Insider Spotlight - DanK - MI 8743

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I Started in college where I took a couple of photography classes. Stopped after a few years. Started again years later, I am the owner of a Contracting business and needed to take better pictures of my Kitchens and Baths for my website. Best part is that some of my equipment is tax deductible. Apart from work I started out doing landscape photography. I then decided to try my hand with Models and have enjoyed it ever since.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I do some paid work so I would classify myself as semi-pro.

Model Insider Spotlight - Sunzie - MI 6513
Photo Credit: Photographer: David Sutton

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I actually got a message on facebook from a photographer asking me to do a photoshoot. I've always wanted to attempt modeling but wasn't sure if I was model material or even how to get started. So I decided to take a chance and see how it goes. After that shoot I did a group shoot a few days later. After that it just kind of took off from there for me.

Model Insider Spotlight - Ademac Photographics - MI 2522

How did you get started in photography?
I was born in a small country town in central Victoria, Australia. School was the local primary and my secondary education was completed at a regional centre one hours train ride from my home. It was during these early years my mother introduced me to photography. My love of photography grew as I was exposed to all the Arts and Crafts.

What brought you to it?
At the age of 12 my mother gave me her old Kodak Bellows camera and my first shoot other than family snaps was at a local car club rally on a wet cold winters day halfway up a hillside. Two of my images made the local paper. From there I was able to do Black and White photography at High School and continue at University as part of my Fine Art degree.

Model Insider Spotlight - Chelsea Christian - MI 5854
Photo Credit: Photographer: Rue99

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
A friend of mine is a makeup artist, and she was looking to update her portfolio. Her parents are professional photographers, so it was pretty easy for her to set it all up. She came up with the plans to do a shoot related to vampires and other horror makeup. She sent out a Facebook event invitation to her friends and asked people that were interested in being a part of it to let her know. I got the invite and let her know that I wanted to be a part of the shoot. (I had wanted to be a model when I was younger, about 13, and got a call back audition thing at a casting, but never really did anything about it, so I forgot about it.) I did a few different shoots with her and her parents and other friends of ours that wanted to be involved with it, and I realized I really loved being a model.

Model Insider Spotlight - Rene de Haan - MI 6570

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
It all started out as a hobby, borrowing a camera from a friend and discovering the world of photography. That happened in the early eighties, during my studies. After finishing my studies I decided to try if I could make a living with photography, so did some internships with photographers, learning a lot of technical stuff, and darkroom techniques. Started out as a freelancer myself in 1988.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Pro, I have no other jobs/income besides photography.

Model Insider Spotlight - Andy Virus - MI 8840
Photo Credit: Photographer: Lindsey Heath

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I became interested in modeling a little bit after I graduated high school. I didn't know how to approach it or get started. I attended a friend’s birthday party back in 2008 and met a guy there who was signed to an agency in my hometown. He told me his experiences and how he got into it. He then showed me Model Mayhem. I contacted one of my friends who photographs bands and would go on tour with them. That December we did a shoot, I joined Model Mayhem, and the rest is history.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Well, I consider myself Semi Pro. I just made it my full time job back in May of this year and started traveling full time in July. My book has improved a lot since May, but I still have a ton of room for improvement.

Model Insider Spotlight - RScott - MI 4817

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
It happened three years and a month ago when I bought a XSi Rebel. I had been enjoying looking at other peoples work and downloading desktops. I wondered into a camera store and asked if they had anything that could do bracketing because I wanted to try HDR. They showed me a Nikon and a Canon. The Canon was a bit cheaper so I bought the Canon. I took it home, read the manual and started shooting. I grew in and out of my HDR fascination in no time. Once I had a bit of experience with what all the buttons did I started to notice how nice photos with non ambient lighting looked, so off I went to a library to do the bookworm thing.

 

 

Model Insider Spotlight - Henna N - MI 3806
Photo Credit: Photographer: Joshuava

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
A couple years ago a friend of mine mentioned at a party that she had gone to a model and photography meet and greet. I asked her how she had heard about it, since I had been curious about getting into local modeling but I didn't know how to go about it. Thats when she told me about Model Mayhem. She helped me sign up and that pretty much started it all. That site taught me a lot about modeling, as did some of the amazing models on there.

I've loved fashion and beauty for a long time, and I really wanted to see myself photographed in high fashion looks. I started out doing more of the fashion, glamour and commercial stuff, but gradually I started doing more and more art nudes, and now that is one of my main genres that I work in.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I suppose I consider myself a pro, but I don't do this full time because I don't travel. I work as often as I can, and modeling is my only source of income. But if you compiled all the hours together, it would not equal full time. I've been at this for almost 3 years now, and I've learned a lot. I still have many things I can learn, and I love improving and seeing myself become a better model. So I would say I'm very experienced but I can always learn more.

Model Insider Spotlight - Jennifer Powell-Pincelli - MI 8565

How did you get started as a Makeup Artist? What brought you to it?
Ever since I was allowed to wear makeup I have been in love with it. I have studied in all types of art, from sketching to drafting, but didn't really realize I could do this for a living. After getting laid off from my office manager’s position I decided it was time I started doing something I actually liked! After doing my daughter and her friends’ Halloween makeup people started contacting me to do their makeup. I started purchasing professional makeup and supplies and learning as much as I could from as many places as I could. I have found this to be the most satisfying and enjoyable time of my life. Best decision I have ever made!

Model Insider Spotlight - David Friend - MI 1222

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I have always been creative as far back as I can remember. When I was a kid I would take my little 110 Fisher Price Camera with the little flash bulbs around with me and shoot anything that interested me.

It was not tell 1998 when I got my first 35 mm film camera as a gift for one of my birthdays, I took it everywhere I could and shot anything I saw around me. I have to say that most of what I shot on 35 mm was Black & White images.

A few years later I bought my first DSLR camera and loved how freeing digital made things for me I could now explore being more creative and experimental with my photography with out the cost of developing film and printing.

Model Insider Spotlight - James Clark - MI 7564

How did you get started as a Makeup Artist? What brought you to it?
I was just out of hairdressing training and finding it dull in salons and my mother suggested I look at expanding by doing a make up artistry course. 11 years on here I am.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I consider myself a pro but with the capacity to learn, this job changes and evolves constantly and there is always something new to learn.

Model Insider Spotlight - Kyle Woodside - MI 8399

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I've had countless numbers of people who have said that I should be a model. I have a friend who models frequently & I always found her pictures admirable, so she said it would be good to get started by joining Model Mayhem (but don't particularly care for that site). And I just want to build a portfolio & have some nice photos since I'm not getting any younger.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Amateur. I'm not hooked to an agency & have never received any paid offers

Model Insider Spotlight - Cherrystone - MI 69

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
My great uncle took me into his darkroom to give my parents a break for a few minutes. They were astounded he got me to sit still for 30 minutes, while I watched images appear on print paper in the "magic water" as he called it. He sent me home with a Kodak Vest Pocket Bellows. Wish I still had it. Later in life, I first made $$$ doing copy work and restoring peoples ancestor images in the early 70's.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I hate to put a tag on myself. I pull in a reasonable 5 figure amount with my camera, which augments other income. I don't chase $$ because I simply don't want to at this stage of my life. I will turn down $$ if I don't like a job offer.

Model Insider Spotlight - Laura Unbound - MI 427
Photo Credit: Photographer: Mickle Design Works

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I thought I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up, and thought if I wanted to photograph people better, I ought to know what it was like to be the subject. I also at the same time stumbled on my boyfriend-at -the-time's sister's modeling page, thought it looked fun (I too, wanted hot myspace pics), and made my own account. Turns out modeling is a lot easier than photography, so I stuck with it.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I like to think of myself as an experienced professional. I've been gracing the internet with my charming self since 2006, naked since 2007. I turned a full-time traveling model in 2009.

Model Insider Spotlight - House of Evelyn - Andrew Daughtry - MI 3515

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I got started when I was 9 years old taking the pictures for my aunt's church newsletter.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I'd definitely say I'm a hobbyist these days, although I have spent some years kicking around as a pro.

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
My good friend Angele Fonce told me about the place and I like that it doesn't seem to be down as often as other sites.

What gear do you use?
Nikon for life!

Model Insider Spotlight - Emily Taya - MI 2745
Photo Credit: Photographer: Curtis Wood

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I started doing random photo shoots when I was 16 when a friend told me I should get into modeling.. And once I turned 18 I wanted to be like my idol Betty Page!

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Probably semi-pro I think there is always room for improvement. (:

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
I found Model Insider through Curtis Wood. I like the chat room. (: ha, and I really like the forum board ‘cause you always learn something new.

Model Insider Spotlight - The Red Chair - MI 6861

Tell us a bit about yourself & how you got started in photography.
I was born near Paris France from a German mother and a Romanian father. After pursuing interior design and fashion studies, I worked as a creative director in advertising for a short while, and later became the manager of a Viennese band named A Wedding Anniversary. I got them signed to a Parisian indie label and they quickly climbed the alternative charts, and triggered the interest of US labels. Took my first trip to LA at age 21, met a beautiful California girl and 10 months later I made it my home.

Model Insider Spotlight - Garden of Heather - MI 4659

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
Modeling is something that I always thought would be a fun hobby to try and I've had fun posing for friends and family. In 2007, I modeled for my friend Tom Clark, who happens to be a very talented photographer. This was my first time modeling for a professional, and after that I began to work with others. I also began working as a figure model for painters as well as figure drawing classes and groups. After taking a few years off for other pursuits, I started to get more active in modeling and started accounts on modeling websites in the summer of 2010. Since then, I have kept extremely busy with photographers and figure artists alike!

Model Insider Spotlight - Extreme Body Art - MI 665

How did you get started as a Body Painter? What brought you to it?
Quite honestly, it was my wife. I had seen a few body paint stuff and though "Hey, I could do that". And well.. it was all down hill after that. Did my first body paint quite literally on January 1st 2009. And have been painting ever since.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Hmm.. I would call myself a Hobbyist that gets paid sometimes.

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
I found model insider pretty much close to the beginning, it was introduced to me by a model around our area. Although it's been a while since I have used it, I enjoy the Chat Room a lot and the contests. They way they are set up is far superior to those of other modeling sites.

Model Insider Spotlight - Ash Mathews MUA - MI 5920

How did you get started as a Makeup Artist? What brought you to it?
I have always been creatively inclined even as a small child. My Grandma owned her own salon when I was growing up and I spent a lot of time there. I was very much drawn to the beauty industry and ended up attending cosmetology school in 2002. Soon after I started at a salon and in my free time worked as a makeup artist for fashion shows, charity events and portfolio building.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I consider myself to be a pro, I test a lot and I'm always striving to learn something new. I no longer work at the salon so makeup artistry is my full time job.

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
I'm always on the lookout for new industry websites to join. As a makeup artist you have to constantly network and put yourself out there to find jobs. I like Model Insider a lot because although it is a smaller network there seems to be more professionals on here.

Model Insider Spotlight - White Wing Photography - MI 742

Photo Credits: My pup's name is Cocoa. :D She's a spunky thing that loves posing for the camera, naked people, and hiking in the mountains. Image by: http://www.mga-media.com/

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I've always loved photography. I took photography classes in High School and learned my way around a dark room. Sadly I also learned I was allergic to much that was there. I picked up DSLR's a few years back when they started really getting good.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
Semi Pro. I try to make money, I've done a couple shows and conventions, and I want to do something with my art.

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
I came across Model Insider back in the beginning, a model told me about it. I wasn't as active because there wasn't much, but Curtis Wood & Miss Redd brought me back. Oh and what I like best is the friendly atmosphere, the layout, and the features.

What gear do you use?
I use a Canon 40D & 18-200mm (my fav lens) (my hubby uses the others), in studio I have Flash Point strobes and umbrella softboxes. I also use a TV in studio so the model can see what I'm getting, I've found it helps when trying to direct, because they can see what you are seeing.

Model Insider Spotlight - Rachel Jay - MI 241

 

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I was kind of thrown into modeling, to be honest. I grew up thinking I was… not pretty. I thought boys were crazy for liking me, and always found flaws with myself. I also grew up with a dad who loved taking pictures (in that “I’m going to shove a camera in your face at every family function, whether you’re eating or not” way), so I’ve always had a camera in my face, haha. In late 2005, a friend was photographing a calendar for a local car shop, and he listed me as one of the models without even asking me if I was interested. I thought he was crazy! At the shoot for the calendar, I met 2 girls who were on MM/OMP, and they tried to get me to join. A few months later, I lost my job, and figured I had the time to kill, so I joined, thinking it’d be a silly waste of time because no one would want to take my picture. And whaddya know… I was very, very wrong. Of the 3 of us, I’m the only one still modeling!

Model Insider Spotlight - StudioCMC - Chris Carroll - MI 2291

 

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I have been shooting since the days of Kodak 110 Cameras, However I have always been a casual shooter. It was not till the Digital Age did I return to my full love of Photography. I have always been interested in art, from drawing to painting and obviously Photography. My family has always been involved in Photography, my father had a darkroom, and he always shot slides, and there have been many a family gathering of lots of Slide shows back in the days. So I have always been involved in Photography, just never on the level that I am today. Digital brought me back into it.

Image Credits:
Model: April Berry
Make up and styling, and hair:
T.H. Taylor, Laura Miller
Photo assistant: Laura Miller

Model Insider Spotlight - April Berry - MI 4874

 

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I got "spotted" by an affiliate of SuperShoots while employed by a local fast food restaurant. SuperShoots is a well known recurring photography workshop. I spent the weekend shooting and fell head over heels in love with the industry.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I am a professional full time model.

How did you find Model Insider and what do you like best about it?
Model Insider was suggested to me by Roger Talley (emeritus). I love that the site is run by actual photographers and models. There is a great sense of community that other sites seem to lack. The chat feature is pretty sweet, also.

What is your usual genre? Favorite genre?
I have an immense appreciation for all genres. Lately, I have been very interested in shooting fashion and beauty. Glamour shoots are, however, my bread and butter.

How do you find photographers to work with?
I use social networking sites so that photographers are able to find me. Surprisingly, most of my bookings come from networking on FaceBook.

Do you do your own styling and makeup? Do you work with a preferred MUA?
I will typically do my own makeup and styling. I love having the opportunity to work with MUAs. It just depends on the shoot. Sometimes it's all done for me and sometimes I'm responsible.

Model Insider Spotlight - Gary M - MI 507

 

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
My father was a pretty serious photographer, and I picked up the basics from him, developing film and making prints in the basement darkroom. I stuck with it, shooting for the yearbook in high school, taking a few classes in college, and starting to photograph concerts. A few years ago, a couple friends asked for portraits, and it rekindled that spark in me, and I ventured into working with models and discovered my strength and some recognition with art nudes.

Model Insider Spotlight - Artemis Bare - MI 4702

 

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I was actually approached by an old Chief friend of mine when I was getting out of the Navy. He was just getting started in photography and wanted to know if I'd like some pretty shots for Myspace (Hey Myspace was still cool at the time!). I went from there to Craigslist, from Craigslist to Meetup, from Meetup to MM, and MM to here!!

Model Insider Spotlight - Phillip K. Marra - MI 1405

http://www.pkmimages.com/

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I always was a creative type while growing up . I first got a taste of it while in High school but it wasn't until I got out of the army when I really pursued it with a passion.. I went to a community college to take classes, then moved to California to go to a private photography school. My best training of all was assisting a well know local Pro. Love the way you create an image in your mind, and watch it as it appears on the printing paper in the darkroom.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, Something Else?
I used to be a full time pro, but now I’ve scaled back a lot, and take it as it comes. So right now I consider myself a Semi pro, I guess.

Model Insider Spotlight - SnS Photo - MI 416

http://www.sns-photo.com/

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
I have had a passion for photography since the age of 16. I am mostly self-taught and for years concentrated mostly on still life's and landscapes, except for family portraits. My background, however, is in food science and I was a production manager for a major food manufacturer for years. When that position ended I decided to take a chance and open my own photography business. I worked for a portrait mill and shot second camera for a local wedding photographer for a bit before taking off completely on my own.

Model Insider Spotlight - Angele Fonce - MI 1439

Photo Credit: photographer Charlie Gast

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I had an interest in modeling since I was about 12. It was dismissed when I was younger, but after I turned 18 a friend of mine told me about a modeling website and how I could try it out and see what I think of it. I contacted my first photographer and met with him to discuss shooting. My first shoot was actually nude which surprises most people.

I have been shooting ever since.

This week Model insider Spotlights Audra Miller, AKA Suzy Homewrecker

How did you get started in modeling?
A friend of mine started getting involved in the pin-up scene and submitted a set for Kitten Koffin Zombies. I admired the work and modern aspects of the calendar's theme. My friend put me in contact with Kitten Koffin Zombies and I did a non-professional set for the 2008 calendar contest.

What got you interested in it?
My love for pin-up and idolization of the classic pin-up icons (Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Betty Grable, the art work of Art Frahm, Gil Elvgren, Dan DeCarlo, etc...) has been my inspiration all along. Being a curvy lady myself, I've looked up to the view of real beauty in the 50's. I aspire to be as confident and comfortable in my own skin, not caring about society's standard, and show what true beauty is, no matter my shape or size.

Do you consider yourself: Pro, Semi Pro, Hobbyist, Amateur, or something else?
I am definitely semi-pro and a hobbyist.

John Kirschbaum, congratulations on winning the Model Insider 2010 Halloween Pinup photo contest!

This year you won the Users' Choice! That means you've won a 1 week front page Member Spotlight feature in November, and a permanent accounts! To go with your success, we'd like to know a little more about you & how you've achieved this.

Please tell us how you got started in photography, and what brought you to it? Do you consider yourself a full time pro, semipro, hobbyist, amateur, or something else?

I have always enjoyed art and majored in ceramics in high school. For graduation I received my first 35mm camera. I started out taking shots of my art work, and also love taking landscape and wildlife pictures. Today I am doing high end wood working, along with custom cabinetry, which I consider to be another form of art. I always keep photography close to my heart, but I would consider myself to be a hobbyist.

Is pinup something you usually dabble in, or was this a departure for you? What inspired the image you won with?

Brianne, congratulations on winning the Model Insider 2010 Halloween Pinup photo contest!

You won the Judges' Choice, so that means you've won a $50 Visa gift card, an MI t-shirt, a 1 week front page Member Spotlight feature in November, and a permanent accounts! To go with your success, we'd like to know a little more about you & how you've achieved this.

Please tell us how you got started in modeling, and what brought you to it? Do you consider yourself a a full time pro, semipro, hobbyist, amateur, or something else?

I started out posing for my best friend's photography classes last year after someone told me that I could never be a model. Ambitious and determined, I've been working hard and proving them wrong ever since! I'm now considered a semi-professional, as I'm also a full-time student with three part-time jobs, and I just don't have the time to do as much as I'd like right now

Is pinup something you usually dabble in, or was this a departure for you? What inspired the image you won with?

Michael Magers won both the Judges' and Users' Pick for the 2010 Model Insider Halloween Horror contest. As part of his prizes, we interviewed him for a 2-week Spotlight.

Here's his winning image:

Michael, congratulations on winning the Model Insider 2010 Halloween Horror photo contest!

This year you won both the Judges' Choice and the Users' Choice, so double kudos are in order! That means you've won a $50 Visa gift card, an MI t-shirt, a 2 week front page Member Spotlight feature in November, and 2 permanent accounts, one for you & one you can give as a gift! To go with your success, we'd like to know a little more about you & how you've achieved this.

Please tell us how you got started in photography, and what brought you to it? Do you consider yourself a a full time pro, semipro, hobbyist, amateur, or something else?

Model Insider arranged a Q&A with Curtis Wood and Miss Redd (aka Lisa Wood), two of our dedicated Team Insider volunteers who also happen to be a dedicated husband & wife model/photographer team with an amazing history of winning awards and competitions for their work together. They offered some insight on how they work together and what makes them so successful.

Curt and Lisa both got pushes toward their current paths early in life. Curt’s father was a professor of Instructional technology, and when Curt was 8 his father purchased a darkroom setup for his children to experiment with. This enabled him to start shooting and developing his own prints. Meanwhile, Lisa was very active in sports, hiking, biking, water skiing, snow skiing etc. By the time she was in her teens she was having major issues with her knees, which resulted in a total of 8 knee surgeries. She began taking classes in Dance, Modeling and Public Speaking so she could stay “active” in a less “active” way.

Curt and Lisa met in high school in the parking lot after a football game. Curt says they fell in love instantly, and they also entered their first working partnership playing and singing together in a rock band. They married when Curt was 18 and Lisa 16, and over the next 30+ years they grew up together, worked together, and did everything as a team, including raising 4 boys.

MI: So, from this background, how did you start shooting together?

Model Insider recently had a Q&A with Michelle Mousel, AKA Deadlynightshade. Michelle also wrote an article about modeling in china.

MI: Tell us about your background… childhood, where you came from, family, anything you care to share.

Michelle: I grew up very sheltered in a very conservative family environment and both of my parents raised my younger sister and I. I went to Catholic school, played sports, danced ballet and was very shy and withdrawn most of my youth.

MI: How long have you been modeling? How’d you get involved? Were you always an agency girl? Any other basic info on your career you’d care to share?

Michelle: I've been modeling professionally for 4 years and I was not always an agency model! I was scouted by a photographer when I was 16 years old at the most ghetto mall in my hometown of Phoenix, AZ. I repeatedly did tests with non-agency photographers and local photography students but every time I submitted to agencies I was always rejected! It was a constant submission process over the next few years and finally got accepted by a local Arizona agency when I was 19. Many agents have told me only what I can't do and what I'm not good enough for so since then I've worked overseas and in the Los Angeles market and haven't turned back!

MI: How’d you come to work overseas, and what was that like? What’re the big differences modeling overseas & in the US?

Kelli grew up in Tulsa, OK with very little money, but a very supportive family. She got in to gymnastics young and continued for 13 years, assign acting and six other sports in high school. She’s been modeling for about two years. It wasn’t something she planned, but people kept telling her to try it and despite her firm “no’s” they kept asking. Finally, she tried it to silence them and her first thought was “Hey, this’s actually pretty fun!”

Despite her newfound interest in modeling, Kelli stayed focused on school even though she was in a zero-money market. She did as much as she could locally, and traveled on every break, taking her schoolwork with her. Keeping her eye on her priorities paid off, as she’s just graduated with honors while simultaneously being offered a modeling contract with one LA agency and being scouted by another. She hopes that good news means a whole new world that’s bigger & better than anything she’s ever experienced, but if not she says “I have a plan B if things don't pan out. And a plan C in case Plan B goes out the window. And then Plan D, well, you don't wanna know about Plan D.”

LaTonya Winters got her start in the beauty business after graduating from fashion design school. After a few years, she grew bored with designing. She’d always been a huge cosmetics fan, and was good at applying them. As a hobby she’d approach friends and offer to make them look better, leading more and more people to approach her for makeovers. She realized she could make a living at it and decided to attend makeup school to become licensed while going back to college to study business and marketing. This launched her burgeoning career.

When LaTonya got started, there were no networking sites like Model Insider so she attended local networking parties. There she met photographers who got her interested in working shoots. From the very first, she was hooked. She loved the relaxed atmosphere, being creative, and the unbelievable feeling of making money while having so much fun. Many years later she still enjoys photo shoots and finds critiquing her work in still shots makes her a better makeup artists.

Dan Kelleher, AKA New Photograph (www.newphotograph.com), got started in photography in 1981 when he got his first camera, an Olympus OM-10. In 1985 he received an Associates Degree from Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif, where he was greatly influenced by his teachers Henry Gilpin and Roger Fremier, and guest lecturers Ansel Adams, Brett Weston, and John Sexton. Dan primarily shoot portraits, but is becoming more interested in artistic expression of all sorts, and particularly recently in retro-style pinup.

Dan was involved on Model Mayhem with "The List" group of photographers who helped newbie models, and migrated with the founders of that group over to MI. He has a degree in computer science thus was on internet sites from the get go. Dan is part of the group that took advantage of MI’s Permanent Account sale. He says “I see the potential in MI, and fully support it. The responsiveness from the people who run MI is refreshing and valuable. I think MI has a bright future because it has the overall best set of features, works the best, and is attracting the best in the industry.”

Like many non-agency standard models who’ve successfully found a niche in net-based modeling, Laura never set out to be a model. She had a varied early life, starting out on a farm in Durango, Co in 1977 then relocating to Roaring Fork until she was 17, when she moved to Winter Park, Fl to attend Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts, where she received an Associate’s Degree for recording engineering. From there she went back home to Co for a year before heading to San Francisco with her best friend Mary. Life in California included a new love of surfing & motorcycle riding, and her own business as a bicycle courier.

Then 4 years ago a tragedy set in motion the chain of events which brought Laura to MI. Her father committed suicide, causing Laura to look at her life and make the decision to never be that unhappy. So she packed a minivan full of her things and moved to Portland, Or with the love of her life, Eric, so she could pursue things that made her happy.

Genius. Provocateur. Auteur. Technical master. That bastardly old curmudgeon who needs to shut the hell up. All of these things, and more, have been said about Bob “Robert” Randall. Bob is an internationally renowned, award winning photographer specializing in commercial advertising photography. His studio is in Chicago. He works with ad agencies, design firms, corporations and magazines. He SAYS has been making masterful images since two months ago. Prior to that, everything is suspect!

No one really knows where Bob came from, aside from dark mutterings & lies spread by a small, but dedicated, group of jealous detractors about an accident with radioactive Dektol. What IS known is that at age 10 he was perusing the contents of his father’s sock drawer and discovered an Agfa 35mm range finder camera. Thus was born his lifelong passion for photography. As he’s grown with the medium, he finds himself more aware of possibilities and more passionate than ever about the images he creates. He states “I can't imagine my life without a camera.”