"That which is something you need to be able to do if you’re serious about this line of work, I think".
Well let’s see, my name is Michael. I’m 23. I study Heath and Physical Education. I really enjoy modeling. However, I would
love to become a successful actor. I love acting; on screen of course. I also really enjoy photography and plan to get a
second degree in photography and graphic design. I am from a small town in KY, Danville. It is just south of Lexington. Heard of it? No. I’m not surprised. There is nothing here. I am saving up to move away. I would like to live in Louisville for a
start, or Cincinnati or even Chicago. I love city life, but not like LA city life. Smaller, more accessible by transit. You can take the bus wherever you need to go, or walk. I love to walk around town and find the random shops you never knew were there. I like to people-watch, that’s always fun. I have always wanted to be a model, but being from such a small town didn’t offer much opportunities. There were no agencies within a reasonable distance that I could go talk to and ask questions and see what I needed to do to get started. So nothing came of it. Then once I got to college I had been thinking about it more and more, so I got one of my photographer friends to take some shots of me. I found some agencies in Nashville (the nearest city) and went for a few meetings. Unfortunately they all wanted me to take their classes a few nights a week, and driving 4 hours for a 2 hour class was out of the question. Especially for a broke college student like myself.
After that I was disappointed, but I knew that in this industry there is far more rejections than there are contracts signed. I didn’t let it get me down though, after-all this has been a passion of mine for some time. So I joined some modeling websites; modelmayhem.com, one model place, etc. I went to some meet and greets and being the outgoing, friendly person I am I met some photographers and got them to shoot me for free, to help build our portfolios. After a few months later I met a female model who recommended me to her agency. I emailed them and the next week they wanted me to come in for a new talent orientation. Next thing I know I’m signed with Heyman Talent out of Louisville, KY. They also have an office in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH. http://www.heymantalent.com I’ve been with Heyman for a few months and have been cast for a few jobs. I booked a photoshoot for the Gage for Men line at Bennie and Friends hair salon in Louisville. www.benniefactor.com I am waiting to find out if I booked a commercial job right now. I do a lot of freelance work as well. I am good at networking and talking to people, so I get a lot of jobs on my own. That which is something you need to be able to do if you’re serious about this line of work, I think. I don’t like to have to depend on others to find work for me, it’s definitely a plus but I don’t depend on that. I get out there and do the work myself as well. Example being my recent trips to California and Hawaii. I hooked up with some photographer and they paid for my entire trip, room, meals, everything. I was in Cali for a week and Hawaii for three shooting, laying on the beach and having a blast. What a trip!
The moments in the shootings: "Don’t be afraid to tell me if something looks dumb"
I really enjoy working with a photographer who knows exactly what he/she wants out of the shoot. But not so much as to be
controlling. Let me do my thing and work the camera, but definitely critique what you see through the lens. Don’t be afraid
to tell me if something looks dumb, or if it looks the same over and over. I want to be pushed. I like to find some reference
images to get the feel of the shoot. And to just hang out for a bit before we start work, to get to know one another and joke
around and whatnot. While I was in Hawaii we were shooting on the lava field beaches near Kona. I was laid out in this shallow pool of water right where the waves were breaking. We had been shooting for a bit; catching some waves tumbling in the background when all of a sudden a huge one came crashing in. Boom! I went tumbling end over end in this break bouncing off the rocks like a pinball machine. Yeah, not cool! I ended up slicing my foot open in 3 different spots, my arm, shoulder, hands, side; what a mess!
Being healthy: special metabolism?
Special diet, hmm. Haha, my metabolism is so high that I am fortunate enough to not gain weight when I eat a meal. That
doesn’t mean that I pig out though. I do watch what I eat. Mainly sodium and cholesterol and fat content. I am fairly healthy
because I live and active lifestyle. Two of the main things people always overlook when trying to lose weight or get healthier is:
(a) Serving sizes, eat slowly so you’re body has time to tell you that you’ve had enough. And
(b) Physical activity. Just get outside and walk. The average adult is supposed to take 5000 steps daily. If you do that, you
should be making advances toward being healthy. Sorry for my healthy ramblings, I did study health and physical education in college.
Catwalks and the best is yet to come?
I have yet to be in any runway shows. I’m a little short, but I think I have a damn good walk! I know what one should look
like, and I know what one shouldn’t. There are a few local designers that I just found out recently had a fashion show. I
didn’t know anything about it, or else I would have gotten in it. They have a fall show in the mix though, so we’ll see!
And if I´ve already achieved my main purposes in the modeling market? Oh no, not even close. I strive to influence as many
people as possible with my work. If I were better well known I could reach out to more people and influence as many lives for the good as I can. Show people that you can do anything you set your mind to. After all, I used to be a redneck loser who was shy and never had anything to do with fashion and thought I was completely non-photogenic. Now look at me, I’ve come so far. And to think, it’s only been a few months since I even started. I would love to work for Gap Inc., Express Men, and Banana Republic. Those are my favorite clothing lines. Especially Gap, I shop there for everything!
Michael by himself
A fashionista? I am a fashion guy. I am constantly being asked for advice on outfits. Friends send me picture messages from dressing rooms asking if their outfit goes. Lol. I usually wear whatever feels comfortable for that day. Since it’s been hot as ever I’ve been wearing a lot of flat front shorts and v necks with flip flops. But if I’m going out kick it up a notch
depending on the event. I like to wear the occasional short-sleeve military shirt with a bow tie. Not everyone can pull that
off lol
Human Rights, Free of Speech and Sexual Behaviors: I am a very optimistic guy. I always see the good in the worst situations and try to bring that to the table. Constantly trying to influence others for the better and show them how they can do the same for someone else. If I can help two people for the better, then they can do so for two more. And so on and so on, it’s exponential. There is one person who I talk to daily without a doubt. She is a model, actress, production assistant, life counselor, and an amazing person in general! We always share stories from the day and end up talking for hours; feeding off each others energy. That’s a nice thing to have, and I try to help others just the same. I am no one to judge anyone, so I don’t. People have the right to say whatever they want, but should they? Not always. It comes down to respect. Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you should condemn them for their beliefs. They have theirs you and you have yours. Don’t deny someone their rights but don’t condemn them for having them either. I’m all about one love and karma. I don’t have a specific religion because I don’t know enough of any one in particular to claim it as my own. I base my life and beliefs on karma and living a good life. Don’t hate, do good, and just be happy. Dating X Love: I definitely miss having a good girl to call my own. But I’m not in the position I want to be in for love and
to start a family. I do need a girl though to love on and spoil
Sports: I play a lot of sports. I really like golf and tennis at the present time. Of course soccer, football, hockey, etc are always favorites too. I play a lot of different ones! A lot!
His way to attract someone’s attention: f I’m trying to get someone’s attention I’ll try and make eye contact first. After
that, I’ll give a little smile and just walk over; if the time is right of course. I usually have no problem talking to someone. It has been said that I’ve never met a stranger. It just runs in the family. Having fun, the places he goes and enjoys the best of life: don’t usually go to clubs and stay out until sunrise dancing. I like to be with friends in a mellower scene, having a few drinks and listening to some live music. But sometimes it’s fun to just let lose and drink the night away with some hottie on your neck until you sweat it out. Sometimes. The craziest (nastiest?) thing he´s ever done in a summer time season: One time some guys I knew and some girls we all knew broke into a hotel pool and went skinny dipping. We were jumping off the balcony into the pool and everything. It was fun, until we realized it was a motel instead of a hotel and all the residents were looking out their windows at us running around the pool naked!!
An unforgettable moment: When I first went to college I had my grandparents, whom I lived with growing up, drive me down. I didn’t have a car so we packed theirs with my suitcase and hit the road. 5 hours later we got there, my grandmother helped me unpack and make my bed, my grandfather gave me a $20 bill and a hand shake and said “Good luck.” Then they left. I didn’t know a single person on the entire campus! I was the only one from my area to go there. I was in shock! Still not quite out of my shell and shy I just did what I had to do. Haha, that was a big step and something Ill never forget. A $20 bill and a hand shake, “Good luck.”
The Projects
I have the lead role in a music video being filmed in Louisville for a local, well-known band; The Velvet Saints. I’m working
with a photographer friend to get a big collaboration going with designers, makeup artists, videographers, etc for a big
photoshoot soon. I am talking to a good photographer in Chicago about testing with him this month for some agencies and
published material. And I’m waiting to hear back from my agency about the commercial I was cast for.
Main motto: I don’t want to offend anyone but my motto is “Crying wont help you, praying wont do you no good.” It’s a line from my favorite Led Zeppelin song, When The Levee Breaks. It’s just something I’ve always told myself when times get rough. To me it means you have to get out there and do it yourself. You can’t count on someone else to do it for you. No matter how strong your faith or what you believe. If you want something done, do it. Don’t whine and complain about it. Fix it.
