being a good model

Do you care about being a good model, or do you care about being seen?

I understand the industry and the craft. I model because I know I can model, I have seen results. The ego isn't there, it is about why I want to model, it is about knowing there are ways I can model, without taking the easy way out and only thinking of being seen, but more about being a good model.

Submitting photos to magazines

I posted a video blog on Youtube recently about Submitting photos to magazines. I hope you find it helpful.

Visit this, and other video blogs here:

http://www.youtube.com/isobellajade

I love being a petite model

My obsession with shoes keeps me grounded and loving my petite size. If I was taller I couldn't wear 4 inches heels and look as good.

A lot of girls want to be something they are not instead of using what they are to get ahead. Or trying to be taller, or get breast implants, or change the things that really have nothing to do with getting ahead. A lot of girls dwell on their height, and let it hold them back.

A girl recently on Models.com asked in the forum which is for new models, and it is a place where girls can ask about being acceptable for modeling. First of all I hate all the negative response from the website. Some other model can comment on if you are good enough to model or not. It is nuts!

The site is to much about being tall and good enough and fashionable, or good enough for the fashion world that it limits the commercial print market.

I also think the girls who sign up to post their photos on websites like Models.com are letting judgemental limited view create an image of what it means to be a model that is simply terrible and wrong- a mislead view.

I love being petite and instead of letting someone's opinion about me hold me back, I have learned that there is modeling work out there for a petite model, a shorter girl. It just comes down to marketing yourself the right ways, to the right agencies, maybe doing a little more research than typical -Giraffe models, and having to mail your photos to an agency (commercial print modeling agency) a few times, -maybe it involves some real work ahead of time to get an agent,- but the most important thing is having photos that can sell you to the right area of modeling that is best for you.

More and more models are getting work regardless of their perfect height and weight. The fashion world will have to accept that the "beautiful" are also the shorter.

Screw Fashion Shows and being too short to model

I think it is fun to watch fashion shows, but being in them is not my style. Or my height. Although I don't understand the big deal with the height requirement. I guess that the way these designers see it is that if you are "looking up towards the model, then you are admiring her more?" That is my guess?

I don't like it.

Imagine a girl watching a fashion show and actually feeling like " wow I can totally picture myself in that dress?" Why are the runways so scared of this, I am only whining because a lot of girls I talk to and who contact me about modeling advice ask me all the time about why they can't be models since they are so short?

I try to think of these designers and the clothing they throw on the runway and although I don't think being a runway model would be that exciting,-except many to model for Betsy Johnson-but why is it considered attractive to have the tallest, skinniest chicks prancing down the latest fashions?

The Fashion Industry doesn't limit the chances of the short girls because the short girls won't be considered anyways, they never had the chance. But when it comes to the print work, the agencies have no excuse.

If a modeling agency ever tells you that you are too short to model you can tell them that is nuts because there is a lot of work out there for a girl who isn't 5'10" or 5'7". (the standards for print modeling these days.)

If you are proportioned and can photograph well then you keep on trying and submit to commercial print agencies. I have a list of a few on my blog roll.

Some really nice buzz from down under in Sydney today on my book and Apple Store experience

This is the fantastic press my book and Apple Store experience got today in Sydney. Holy moly! You can read the article in the Sydney Herald here.

no time to tweeze the eyebrows before a shoot? Try New York Color Browser Brush-on Brow Powder with Grooming Wax and Tweezers

I suggest not waxing. I am not a fan. I hate pain and the ripping sound. I suggest if you do not have time to tweeze then go to the local CVS or Duane Reade and pick up some cream or light tan colored eye shadow to put on your lids which can also cover the stray hairs. Or try the Browser Brush-on Brow Powder with Grooming Wax and Tweezers by New York Color. It is only $3.99. It is a lot less painful on the pocket and face than waxing!

Long-lasting grooming wax holds hairs neatly in place for all day perfection... powder fills in bare spots.

Beauty routine of a model with Sephora, i.d bare minerals, n.y.c cosmetics, michael kors

I am over liquid foundation. I had a shoot this weekend and the makeup artist used i.d bare minerals and reminded me of the whole Explosion of mineral makeup. I do like to loose powder feel on my face. Almost every single brand out there has some sort of it. Today I bought a single dose of i.d bare minerals, a pretty price of 25 bucks but I really love the results. For a cheaper but very similar look I do enjoy using N.Y.C cosmetics - also known as N.Y.C. Color-just as much and especially on the go. ( it is only like 6 bucks.)

I like the light lipstick with the dark eyes look, a flip of the lashes.

Today in the Sephora line I also picked up an interested Michael Kors container. The one I picked up though is smaller than the one shown here. It looked almost like a mini deodorant. For ten bucks it is a handy and small leg shine. I tested it out on my forearm though. I liked it and loved the smell too, smells like beach time! I wonder if it will be a regular item in the store. If so, I am sold!

What should be on your modeling compcard

Here are some suggestions for what should be on your modeling compcard. I use Print NY in NYC and also www.compcard.com for when I need a quick card or some backup cards since modeling compcards can run expensive. Usually compcards are about a dollar a piece for an in color on both sides.

Front of the card

A nice headshot, think about hair care boxes and the way the girls smile naturally or jewelry ads are also a good sample of a nice idea for a front shot. Similar to a headshot, looking fresh, not a ton of makeup and like a beauty shot.

Your name should also be on the front of the card, down at the bottom would be good.

I would stick to making the text simple and readable, no fancy cursive is needed.

On the back of the card:

I have seen girls do it many ways. I think it is best to ONLY show your best images that show your personality, that show you can model a product, that show your smile and diversity.

You don't always need 4 images, it could be only 3 on the back and it could be in many styles, the most important thing is to not clutter your card. You only should show 4 max. Any more can look very messy and it is too much to visualize.

You will put your height, Dress size, bust, waist, hips, hair, eyes and shoe on the back of your card:
Mine reads:
Height: 5'4" Dress: 0/1 Bust: 32 Waist: 22 Hips: 33 Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Shoe:6

( yes I fib a couple inches on my height but only because my legs are proportioned and lean and I look taller in photos.)

You can view my compcard designs here at compcard.com for ideas, or also go to some agency websites like FFT Models, or Flaunt models, or R&L models, and you will see some samples of what commercial print modeling agencies want to see on a compcard.

These are some samples of my own designs at compcard.com
http://isobellajade.compcard.com/

Congrats for making a compcard! You are on way your way, you need to have your marketing tools to market yourself. :)

Mobile and Models and growing my reel

Today I did a shoot for a mobile company that is presenting a commercialized video to their clients about bar scan codes and the change in advertising. It is interesting that the changes in advertising is allowing my resume is grow with more acting and modeling jobs.

These days there are voice overs more and more, and usually for a commercial ad or product there is more than one face needed to represent a brand, so that many models, sometimes up to ten on one shoot is needed. Watch a commercial, whether it is for a phone company or a beer brand, there is usually more than one actor or model in the shot.

I was one of three, not the lead today but one of the two friends and it was a great thing to see a girl from Trinidad playing the lead for this commercial.

So many types of models are needed, the other friend on the shot was a short haired model and I once had short hair so I can apreciate a good face that can pull of a short bob. Many you think that modeling is only for the tall, and acting is only for the beautiful, but it is not true. Let your unique'ness book you work and chase you opportunity.

We shot in Madison Square Park and it was a great shoot.

Modeling production: I picked 14 images from the contact sheet today

Well who ever said modeling is just looking pretty is totally wrong! today I picked out a wopping 14 images to be scanned from my shoot on Thurs!

I love the process of film too. The shooting style, the perfection needed, the talent from the photographer, especially since we were in a rocking boat with leaves and tres creating shadows, and balancing the boat, and also directing the model. Shoot! I made the photographer work for this one.

Then the film is developed and hand dipped, and the three contact sheets are dwelled upon and then I circle the ones I like with a red pencil.

I have to be picky about what I print, and submit and the expression has to be right on, I sit there and stare at an image for like 3 minutes -then debate more, comapre it to a couple others until I KNOW that image speaks. And that is the one I want.

Don't rush your image selection, when it comes to your own promotion, compcards, marketing materials, you need to be picky and always pick the best!

I am so excited for Monday to see the scans!

shoe modeling confessions

The minute I hear I have a shoe casting, I think about my heels and how my foot is smashed in my shoes right now. I quickly take it off as if it is going to burn my foot and put on flip flops or sandals. And start moisturizing – it is a balance between being me and loving high heels and fashion, and knowing my feet and body is what makes me a model, so I have to preserve it and take care of it.

Dolce & Gabbana ad for Light Blue, Isobella Jade for Canoe

Rocked the photo shoot today hotter than the Dolce & Gabbana ad for Light Blue, put those art directors to shame. Shot film, with Robert Caldarone, which I love and only true photographers shoot film and it was so sick, so sick!

Despite that my hair got a little wet in the swamp-ish green water, it was still amazing.

I will share images later or hopefully you will see them in a magazine or newspaper.

Shooting in a canoe tomorrow!

So excited, I am shooting in a canoe tomorrow, well a little nervous actually. It will be a shot for my own promotion for my book and press kit. I am so excited and hopefully will get it published.

making your own beauty products is easy

Today on my podcast at 8pm I will be talking about easy ways you can use home items, food, and lotions, to make face scrubs and your own masks and foot scrubs!
It is not only cheaper to make your own beauty products but it is helpful to prevent waste as well- you can turn your banana into more than just lunch or a snack before your shoot.

Tune in at 8pm for Beauty Tips on: At home beauty. Making your own Beauty!

www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade

A book for the Undiscovered by Debra Winger

I was blown away this morning when The View featured Debra Winger, and her book called Undiscovered and flashed back to her films like Urban Cowboy which I loved!

What I admire about Debra is how with or without Hollywood she acted. And when she says, "I love the work," "and don't much care for the business."

She is a rare star. Someone worth reading about.

I plan to read this book and I hope you consider to read it as well. As a model and hustler to do what I love, I always think it is important to read about survivers and dreamers as well and those who strived to do what they wanted to do and find a way and create their own, like Debra.

Modeling Questions and modeling advice

A girl on Myspace recently asked me "how can I get started modeling because I want to be the next short girl out there."

I answered her by of course refering her to my blogs and also here are some ideas to start your modeling pursuits:

1. Photos. Do you have any? and are you really Modeling in them? Do they look like ads and editorials or are they just a photo of you showing it all or just standing there?

2. Have you researched modeling agencies? If you are under 5'7" have you researched commercial PRINT modeling agencies?... and have you looked at the girls they represent? Do you have any photos that match the type of models they represent? You should send photos out with the type of look that can co-side with the style of the agency. Do you only have fashion photos and you are 5'0"? You need some smiles, energy, and laughter and personality in your shots because to model you will need to sell not just your look and cute body but your personality.

3. Once you have your photos ( could take a few months to get what you need sometimes) have you considered making a compcard? You should. And have you considered mailing your photos to magazines in your town, city, and to contact some aspiring designers and brands and ask if you can model or them?

4. Sometimes you have to market yourself. Discover yourself. Get some work as a model yourself by mailing your photos, get some work in magazines yourself by mailing your photos to the photo editors, get new photos, and re-try, and re-try to get a modeling agent and build a portfolio.

There is no easy way to become a model these days. You have to do the work, do the research, keep trying. Keep trying is really a big thing. Don't expect someone to always make your goals and dreams come true. Sometimes you have to make it all happen for yourself.

A model with experience and some magazine tearsheets and something to offer more than just her model attitude will get a modeling agent.

Belmont Big Brown Loses but Isobella Jade had a blast

Even though Big Brown lost this weekend at Belmont, I had a blast! I love horses and watching them run, race.

Be Your Best SELF in NYC with Self Magazine and TVLand

If you are feeling too old to model, think again! I love what Self Magazine and TV Land are doing and I love that they are welcoming that beauty is older than 30!

TVLand's She's Got the Look and SELF magazine are sending one lucky winner and a friend on a fabulous trip to NYC to live like a supermodel! She's Got the Look has set out to discover a sophisticated, beautiful and confident woman 35 or older destined to become the next great supermodel…And now you too can enter for a chance to have supermodel experience in NYC!

One lucky entrant will win a dream trip to NYC, stay at the ultra-exclusive Core Club in the heart of Manhattan, visit the SELF magazine office for a makeover and tour the legendary Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and have a photo shoot with a top fashion photographer and MORE!


A new chance to win every day!
Each day that you return and log-in you will get another chance to win. So book mark this link or save this email and click here to come back every day!

And don't forget to tell your friends!
After you enter you'll have the opportunity to tell your friends. For every friend you tell, you'll get another entry - up to 5 per day.

When an agency says no it is ok!

Do you know how many No's I have got? About a million trillion! Seriously modeling is an industry of No's. So, just because a modeling agency says no don't let that define whether you should pursue your goals. Maybe you should change your photos, update your portfolio, make a new compcard, submit again! Maybe you could try a different approach. Maybe you could try to take control of your goals and even submit your photos to some magazines, other agents, or photographers, don't let the spirit you have for something you want to do die just because someone says no!

Take the no and use it to create more ambition, don't wait, don't fret, and do your homework, and research, and work, because being who you want to be is always worth the work.

Modeling Tips on Video with Isobella Jade

Now you can hear and see my modeling tips on video! Using my webcam I am now giving one -two minute modeling tips clips which you can find on my Myspace, Facebook, or on Youtube.

I hope these video tips help you, the first ones are based on hand modeling, compcards, and getting free photos. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/isobellajade