Describe yourself in three words. Alyssa Mae: Fun, determined, dreamer
How would you describe your personality? Alyssa Mae: My personality is a fun one:-) I’m happy, fun, flirtatious, outgoing yet shy, I dream big and would do anything to help others.
How would you describe your professional interests? Alyssa Mae: My professional interests include signing with a well-known agency, becoming published in well-known magazines, or store ads. When I reach a goal, I in turn up that goal a little higher:-)
Why do you want to work as a model? Why are you interested in this Career? Alyssa Mae: I want to be a model because that s just where my passion lays. I have a drive and creative mind for it that I just need to put to use!
What languages do you speak? Alyssa Mae: I would say English is the only language I speak. I studied Spanish for 4 1/2 years but I’m lucky if I could get a sentence out! Ha, 🙂 Apparently foreign languages are not in my forte, Rosetta Stone anyone?
What’s your background in modeling? Alyssa Mae: My background in modeling begins when I was 15. Modeling was something I thought about all the time and told my parents often. I don’t know why or even how I knew modeling was something people do, it’s like it was born into me. When I started high school at 14, there was an agency next door to my school which constantly caught my eye. I started by auditioning for films and such and didn’t have luck so my parents took me to an agency where I signed a 3 year, all-inclusive contract. I took a break afterward for college and to have my two children and I started back up. This time it was representing myself. A close friend happened to be a photographer and after a few shots I felt comfortable enough to spread the word online and really found a good number of people to work with. I’ve had such great opportunities with photographers, publications, and work. I can’t wait for what the future brings!
If you could change three things about yourself, what would they be? Alyssa Mae: 3 things I’d change about myself would be: *my anxiety *my childbearing marks *my confidence.
Who are some of your favorite models and designers? Alyssa Mae: Some of my favorite models are actually friends and fellow models I’ve encountered, worked with, or follow online. When you are on the same level as someone so beautiful it feels real, like this is really possible. I don’t like following major supermodels because it feels like it’s a dream too far from reach:-)
How would you describe your style? Consider anything and everything from color to historical eras and more. Alyssa Mae: My style…oh boy..I’m such a jean and t-shirt kind of girl. All of my t-shirts are blue or black. When getting fashion tops, they are almost always v cut or have frills, and I tend to lean towards neutral colors. I like flared jeans or skinny jeans. I only own one pair of sneakers and one pair of flats but I promise I have dozens of high heels and boots:-) Even when I’m just in jeans and a tee, I love to spice it up with a cute belt, or cute jewelry. It makes me feel a little more stylish and less plain 😉
What are your strengths? And what are your weaknesses? Alyssa Mae: My strengths would include my determination and creativity. My main weakness is my confidence. I worry way too much about what others think of me or what the photographer is thinking.
Where do you generally shop? Alyssa Mae: Honestly, I do the majority of my shopping at the mall. At any store. I’m really not a name brand kind of girl, maybe because I wasn’t raised with money or materialistic views, but spending $100 on jeans seems crazy to me! I buy and shop wherever I’m at if I see something I find cute;-)
What modeling projects have you done? Alyssa Mae: Other modeling projects I’ve worked on would include shooting with a class that’s learning to light, shooting with new photographers so the can learn, shooting with new models to help them out, shooting with more experienced models to get killer shots and even hiking miles with really heavy wardrobe bags to get to a spot, mid woods, to shoot:-)
What kind of modeling are you interested in and why? Alyssa Mae: I’m interested in commercial and print modeling! I’d give anything for my passion and drive to be seen in ads in well k own stores or billboards! (I mentioned I dream big, right?) 😉
Do you have any other experience in the fashion industry (like writing photography etc.)? Alyssa Mae: I don’t have much experience in other areas of the industry however I always do my own hair, my own makeup, and have helped with lighting on multiple shoots for others 🙂 I’ve had an artist twice in my life and have downright hated my look both times:( I truly hope to find a great working relationship with one soon, though:-)
How would you describe working with the photographer? Alyssa Mae: Working with the photographer, for me, has to be a perfect balance of fun and professionalism. I want to be serious and truly focus and work together on concepts and ideas but when I’m on set, I like to laugh and have fun and feel comfortable. I like it for it to be okay to walk away or make a silly face to break up the seriousness when I get stuck.
What makes a stylish woman or man? Is there a difference? Alyssa Mae: A stylish person in my opinion is someone who catches your eye. I’m not a fashion guru in any means so I’m sure others have totally different ideas, but for me if you have good shapes, good fit, great accessories, etc then you have style! Jeans and tees don’t usually catch your attention walking down the street, but with heels and a scarf and a confident smile, all of a sudden, you stand out!
How would you describe the photographer’s style? Alyssa Mae: I’m not sure about how to describe the photographer’s style, but I will say that I like photographers who shoot the same things I do. I don’t want a photographer that just wants implied shots and I also don’t want someone who looks bored and just snaps, snaps, snaps. I like to try new things, things that seem crazy, odd, and out of the box. So when a photographer has a style like that, we work great together!
Who are some of your favorite fashion photographers? Alyssa Mae: Just like with models, my favorite photographers are ones I’ve worked with or know. Nigel Barker is quite amazing though;-)
What are some of the main differences between runway and photographic modeling? Alyssa Mae: Runway and photographic modeling really do differ. Again I’m no expert so this is just my opinion. For runway you have to be tall, you have to be naturally gorgeous because you are seen in person, in real-time, with no screen. You have to have some personality in your work but the most runway is similar within its style. Photographic modeling can include shorter models, you have to be able to produce hundreds of looks and personalities with your body and face, and you have the advantage of Photoshop to clean up the little things you can’t hide in person.
What’s your favorite outfit from your own closet? Alyssa Mae: My favorite outfit from my closet is probably a little red dress that owns. It’s short and tight and makes me feel great! 😉
Describe the atmosphere when you’re on a shoot? Alyssa Mae: The atmosphere while on a photoshoot depends. When you first walk in, it’s a little overwhelming, there are props and you can’t mess your hair and makeup, there are really expensive equipment and tons of lights everywhere. Getting started is a little like dipping your toes in the water for both model and photographer. You have to get a feel for each other, do the model need direction or no, does the photographer expect you to hold one pose for a minute until he snaps the shot or does he want you to keep moving and he’ll snap along the way? Once you find each others grove though its fun, its like make-believe, you get to play this really pretty part and the photographer, of course, likes shooting it and then afterward its fun to look back on shots. You get so stoked when you see the one shot that you just nailed together and you can laugh at all the ones of you mid-blink or doing something strange:-)
Why would you think you’re fit for being a model? Alyssa Mae: Why am I fit for being a model? I think I have a good look and I’m creative and open to new ideas. I’ve also been told that my eyes are captivating 😉
Do you have any limitations? Would you model any kind of clothing at all? Alyssa Mae: I do have limitations, I’m not a fan of nudes or implied unless I’ve worked with the photographer multiple times, I know they do killer shots, or I’m just feeling crazy that day. I’m not a huge fan of thongs and things that look like something meant for sex. haha!
Describe the ideal work environment for you. Alyssa Mae: I think I might have mentioned, but an ideal work environment would be professional, work-oriented, but yet so much fun.
What are your likes and dislikes? Alyssa Mae: My likes and dislikes, depends on the topic 🙂 Let’s go with, my likes and dislikes in men and friends. Likes: when guys are about a head taller than me, I seem to fit right in, when guys are in shape, I’m a sucker for anyone who can sing or play the drums. Dislikes cockiness, not putting their significant other first, neglecters, and abandoners.
In friends: I like it when people want to hang out, I love having to get together, playing cards, having fires, etc. Someone who texts because they just like talking to you, someone who really gets to know you and someone you can trust and confide in. Dislikes: people who just want something, people who talk behind your back, people who are petty, spoiled, or hypocritical.