Recently I was asked by my friend Gino Velardi to help him with a quick photo shoot to get his red carpet gowns to some of the Hollywood stylists in time for the award shows. Now this wasn’t a big production – it was arranged via text and a friend of his offered up her bridal gown store for the shoot. It was exciting and I am so thankful that he chose me! His gowns are absolutely stunning and have the ability to make any woman feel beautiful! You can see some of his other designs at www.GinoVelardi.com or on Facebook.
While I was there, his friend, DeeDee Vicory, who owns D’Lola Couture Bridal Boutique, asked if I would be interested in doing some bridal shots for her as well. While I don’t think she will be calling me anytime soon, it did start me thinking. The last time I modeled was for a bridal gown line at the age of 19. After I stopped dancing, I tried getting in the door while I was young but there was always something that I needed to correct or change, like the gaps in my teeth. I was asked by a woman that my father met while doing a news story (he worked for a local news station) to take some photos to help push their new catalog. I was paid around $300 and was also given all the photos from the shoot! You think that I would have taken that opportunity and built a portfolio … but alas I was in a new relationship and chose to spend every waking moment with a boy instead. (Silly me)
Ever since then, I told myself that I would try getting back into the modeling/acting scene around the age of 40. Long after I have children and would be looking for something more fun to do, even if it was just hand modeling for the newest anti-aging cream. I don’t think I had enough confidence to try getting into the business. It is a very harsh business and at the time, I don’t think I could have handled the criticism. With these recent events it has got me thinking, is this something I could do for a little extra cash? Now, I know that I would have to step up my exercise plan, ok…actually create an exercise plan and follow it, but that’s easy. And I would need some training on what angles my body and jaw line look best in (think Jay Manuel from America’s Next Top Model). Hummm…. It definitely has me thinking about plans for the future and the possibilities that could be! For now I will work on getting my body back into its toner/leaner version (thanks to Luisa for my trial membership to 24 hour fitness) and maybe see what it can lead to! Wish me luck!
On a similar note, I want to thank friends Frank and Wesley for introducing me to Gino and for always considering me their “model friend” (even though I was too chicken to try out for ANTM when they wanted me to!) Love you both!
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