A little about me, huh? Well. I am a military wife, a mother of two boys with special needs, and I’m a model! I am originally from Pennsylvania now residing here in Texas for the past 3.5 years, and I love it! I started modeling when I was 15, took a short break when I had my kids, and have been at it for 3+ years straight now. I absolutely love modeling. I’ve gotten a few great gigs and opportunities so far and am so excited about what the future has in store!
What does fashion actually mean to you? What inspires your passion and what excites & motivates you about modeling? Alyssa Mae: Fashion means quite a bit to me. I never leave the house unless I feel like I look good. I love accessorizing and spicing up an outfit;-)
I’m not sure where my passion comes from. I was picked on a lot growing up and I had this “ill show them” thought in my head, but when I started modeling I fell in love and now the passion is just there all the time!
What motivates me and gets me excited is that every shoot is different. Who can I work with next, what kind of art and image can we create this time. There are different photographers, different locations and studios, different wardrobe, hair, and makeup. There are infinite possibilities and to me, that’s exciting!
What do you think, Is it important to attended fashion modeling courses? Does they really help newbies to get a foothold in Fashion Industry? Alyssa Mae: For me, it’s hard to say whether modeling classes help or not, I’ve never actually taken one. I think for girls who eat, sleep and breathe modeling and they are going big, that’s probably the best route. In my opinion, a little knowledge of something can never hurt. I was able to do it without the classes and courses but it took a lot of time and hard work. Although, I’d still like to take a few classes and learn more about lighting and makeup and such!
How you communicate with other netizens, especially your subscribers? Are you patient? polite? friendly? How often you reply to them? Alyssa Mae: I am always super polite and caring with my fans! Without them, who would I be? My fans move me and inspire me and I post my work for them, so why ignore them? I try to respond to every single comment and message I get. Although sometimes if I find their comment rude I won’t respond, or if I just can’t come up with a response they will at least get a smiley face or something 😉 I post a thank you to my fans comments a lot as well. I think if they are taking time to compliment and comment on me, I can take the time to thank them.
Has modeling changed other aspects of your life? What does your career do for you? Alyssa Mae: Modeling has changed other aspects of my life. I think I take more pride in the way I look and I have much more confidence now. I actually had to put effort into knowing what style was, what makeup looked good, and learning that having your hair in a ball on the top of your head isn’t always so cute 😉 It’s affected the way I get ready, the way I always look, the way I shop, etc.
Is there anything you dislike about modeling? Alyssa Mae: Is there anything I dislike? Hmm…I suppose there is. I have run into my share of comments that are rude and attacking and just hurt and that can be hard to get by. I’ve also run into a number of photographers who aren’t who they say they are, or they are rude, or they won’t work you because you aren’t perfect and look like a Victoria Secret model. This bugs me, a lot, but quite honestly, I’d rather not work with someone like that! I’m real and I’d like my photographer to be too:-)
And what are some things you dislike or want to change about the fashion industry? Alyssa Mae: Something I’d like to change about the industry is height requirements! They are usually around 5’8″-5’11” for girls. I’m just under 5’2″ but I can still have a killer shot! I think the right wardrobe, right angle, and right poses can create enough length that the viewer would never know. I think there’s a lot of girls that never get seen or lose hope and don’t pursue their dreams all because of a number :/
How you prepare yourself for a modeling shoot? Alyssa Mae: There’s a lot that goes into preparing for a modeling shoot, mentally and physically! There is daily upkeep to stay looking the way you are, hair has to be healthy, nails have to look good, teeth white, in shape, etc. But when I know there is a shoot coming up, my routine starts a day or two in advance. Then it takes me a few hours leading up to the shoot to be completely ready.
What has been your best fashion look? What was your biggest fashion mistake? Alyssa Mae: My best fashion look? I’m not quite sure, but my winged eyeliner look landed me on a Best Buy ad!! 😉 Worst fashion look? My entire 6th grade through 11th grade look! I wish I knew why my parents let me leave the house.
What are your favorite types of outfits to model in? What are your least favorites? Alyssa Mae: Best and least favorite outfits is kind of hard one. I really like a lot of things! My least favorite outfit is probably no outfit! Haha I can’t shoot like that without feeling completely uncomfortable and wondering what people would think, even when it tasteful. My favorite outfits to work in are things that are comfortable, fun, and inspiring. Things that I can interact with like dresses and such.
Any ultimate goal to fulfill as a model? How do you see yourself progress in this field? Alyssa Mae: My ultimate dreams and goals for me include(d), being published, being in ads, being interviewed, having an agent, being on a billboard, travel the states (or world) to shoot, have at least 5,000 fans on my page. I’ve succeeded in the first 4 and only have 3 left, yay!!
What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future? Alyssa Mae: I’d like to work on creative makeup shoots, high fashion shoots, and some editorial and commercial shoots.
Would you like to tell us something about your city, your favorite hang out spots there? Alyssa Mae: My city is a little, old city with not much to offer. My favorite place, honestly, is at home with my two boys ♥ But if I had to pick a place, I’d say we frequent the mall a lot.
What do you like to do for fun & entertainment? Alyssa Mae: For fun and entertainment I absolutely love crafting, baking, and hosting get together! I want to have my own business one day but in the meantime I craft gifts and decor and bake for friends and neighbors. We like to have a get-together and play games and have bonfires as well.
What is your perfect day? Alyssa Mae: A perfect day, morning through the night? I’d have to say a day with no upset feelings. No stress, no arguments, no dissatisfaction. But a day on a beach in paradise would be just as well 😉
What’s your fashion mantra? Please describe your style? What’s your beauty regime? Alyssa Mae: I don’t think I have a beauty mantra and my regime is too long, but I will say: I never want to be as naive with my looks as I did when I was growing up and I never want to be caught in public looking like I rolled out of bed:-p
Do you eat nutritiously? Tell us about the diet you follow on a regular basis? Is there any food which you avoid eating? Alyssa Mae: I’m not a huge diet stickler really and I absolutely love chocolate. I think I might have a “small” addiction to it;-) But as a family we like to try to always choose the healthier option, get lots of water, fruits and vegetables. Soon we will be implementing a new diet though. I and my two kids all have some major food intolerance we just recently learned about. What will be included in our household diet is to include: gluten-free lactose/dairy-free, soy-free, and dye-free. I’m not sure what we can eat, haha! And what I avoid just for pure dislike: fish!
How often do you exercise or go to the gym? How much time you spend there? Alyssa Mae: I don’t spend as much time working out or going to the gym as I should, but I get plenty of exercise chasing, lifting, and caring for my 2 yr and 3 yr olds! I do yoga, and water aerobics, and I have a treadmill, Zumba CDs, and other workout equipment in the house. I also like to go for bike rides daily (when it’s not cold) and I pull the kids behind me in a trailer. Which let me tell you, that 70lbs makes a huge difference!
Excluding all complicated beauty & fitness mantra what do you think to be the easiest way to look pretty and glamorous? Alyssa Mae: Happiness:-) When your happy, you glow, and you’re beautiful. Always keep a smile, you never know who’s watching;-)
What are your experiences in the fashion industry? What is fun and rewarding about modeling? Do you have any advice for other aspiring models? Alyssa Mae: Modeling can definitely be fun and rewarding! I love it when family, friends, and fans tell me they love my work! The compliments from fans are very rewarding. I also love and find reward in publications. When someone loves your work so much they want to use it, it makes you feel great. My most rewarding moments are having an ad in best buy and being asked to be on the cover of a book:-) The advice if giving an aspiring model would be to stay strong and be you. If a photographer doesn’t like who you are or how you look, don’t get down, find a new one! You can only produce great work with someone who loves you for you and believes in you, you’ll bounce off of each other and be able to feed off of each other. If you work for someone you don’t clash well with, you feel awkward and it shows in your pictures. Do NOT change who you are or what you look like to try to fit into the industry or work with a specific photographer.
What fashion magazines you read? Alyssa Mae: I don’t follow or read any specific ones right now, but I love reading what I come across in person and on the web!
Tell me about your favorites. Alyssa Mae:
- Color: Blue
- Food: Chocolate
- Movie: Easy A 😉
- Actor: Ryan Reynolds, Will Smith, Shia Lebouf
- Actress: Emma Stone
- Singer: Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood
- Music: Country
- Holiday: Halloween & Christmas
- Destination: Bora Bora (dream vaca)
- Hobby: Crafts & Baking
- Author: Joan Lowery Nixon & James Patterson
- Book genre: Mystery
- Movie genre: Comedy
- Subject: Math & Art
How you access the Internet? What device do you use: Is it a tablet, smartphone, or laptop?What according to you is a more comfortable, quick, and easy device for accessing the Internet? Alyssa Mae: I use my phone, tablet, and laptop for internet use. My tablet is the most uncomfortable for me and my laptop was my favorite until it broke. I currently use mostly my phone but I’m bugging to get a new computer because I find it so much easier! 🙂
Is there anything you like to add? Alyssa Mae: I don’t have anything to add, I think this was very well covered! :)))
What is your ultimate message for netizens? Alyssa Mae: My ultimate message for netizens would be thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of my fans who appreciate my work and support me. I love you guys and wouldn’t be here without you! And secondly, stay true to yourself, be you, and be happy. You deserve it more than you think! 🙂