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.