Twitter Love - Dreaming About Modeling
Man oh man yesterday I was feeling me some Twitter Love! And it’s funny how ‘down’ I was feeling and these ladies boosted me up without even knowing I was down. They certainly boosted my self-esteem a couple notches too 
Here is what was happening over at Twitter yesterday:
Conversation between Aurelia Williams and myself:
Aurelia: Ohh la la. Love your pic! Girl, have you ever given thought to modeling?
Me: Modeling? ROFLMAO…big girls can’t model. But thanks for the compliment - blushing here.
Aurelia: Are you kidding me!! Big Girls make the BEST Models!! Girl get some headshots out there. You have the FACE and personality for it...not to mention the body!!
Me: Thank You!
Aurelia: I know that I am onto something Tishia — Just wish I could push you in the right direction. But you do have a Sparkle sweetie
And Michelle Gustafson jumped in to respond to my comment to Aurelia about big girls can’t model!
Michelle: Are you kidding? What about Emme, Mia Tyler, etc. Beautiful women. size doesn’t matter.
Me: I don’t even know who those women are.
Jen Knox also joined in on the conversation:
Jen: Just caught up on tweets from a few minutes ago. I agree with Aurelia! I’ve always thought you had what it takes! Try it!
Me: Thank You. I wouldn’t even have a clue how to put myself out there. And that would so be out of my comfort zone! LOL (Aurelia responded to that comment! LOL)
Aurelia: Comfort - Schmumfort…ROTFL
Jen: Just get some basic headshots taken then call local agencies and offer to send them. I had a friend who did that. Good $$ too!
Me: Well good money would be a plus! LOL I think I could step out of my comfort zone to bring some extra cash in.
Me (in response to Aurelia’s comfort comment): Yeah I need to get over that whole comfort zone thing like @TammyMunson is always telling me to! LOL
And there were several other Twitter peeps that complimented me on the new pic as well! Anyways the whole point of this post is that I’ve been thinking about all this since yesterday. It’s no secret that I have a huge self-esteem and lack of confidence issue. As well as being very self-conscious about my weight (hence all the yo-yo dieting I do!). But what girl hasn’t dreamed about modeling? And this isn’t the first time people have said something to be about it. When Caleb’s dad and I were together way back when (and my skinny days!) several people in his family told me I should give it a try.
But when you lack self-confidence, self-esteem and have heard your entire life “you have such a beautiful face” or “you’re so pretty just think if you lost weight” it’s hard to believe that you could do something like modeling. I hear model or modeling and I think of your skinny perfect little barbie doll girls. Model doesn’t say plus-size to me.
But I still can’t stop thinking about it. And when I actually do something with myself (my hair, make-up, dress up) I feel beautiful and a little more confident so I’m wondering could I actually put myself out there and just see what happens? I mean I tell my son all the time that he can do whatever he puts his mind to. So why can’t that be true for me?
But then there’s that little voice inside me that puts a damper on things. All the negative comments I’ve heard my entire life come rushing back and I replay those over and over in my head. And then I go into thinking you don’t even have a portfolio, you don’t know how to put your pictures out there to agencies, you don’t have this, you don’t have that…blah blah blah.
I am super lucky to have an awesome photographer for a sister-in-law! And that made me start thinking about some pictures from the past she’s taken of me. So I was looking through them and I found couple head shots she’s done in the past that I really liked.
Anyways I thought about asking my sis-n-law to do some new photos over Thanksgiving but I don’t know. I did a Google search for plus-size modeling in Michigan and didn’t really find what I was looking for I guess. And I had to laugh when I read a couple things. Some people consider a size 12 plus-size. UHM hello….I used to wear a 10/12 and there was nothing plus-size about me back then (even though I thought I was fat back then). If they consider a 12 plus-size I’d hate to see what they consider me NOW! Seriously. A 12? Plus-size? You’ve got to be kidding me!!!!!
But regardless of my insecurities and such it’s still a nice dream to think about plus-size modeling. Too bad I didn’t have a clue how to go about putting together a portfolio and putting myself out there. The worst that would happen is I’d be rejected.
Anywho- thanks to all my Twitter Peeps for showing me some love
1Aurelia
wrote on 16 November 2008 at 21:12
Honey I really hope you find some information out there to help you pursue this. I tell ya SIZE DOESN’T MATTER when it comes to modeling. Size 12+ is in!! Lil girls like me in the size 6’s are on our way out sweetie…LOL
I meant every word I said and if your sis-in-law is a photographer, honey you got it MADE. Photographers cost a bundle so hopefully you can get a deal!
Don’t you dare let this dream die. I am a Life Coach.. I will hunt you down!! LOL
Aurelia’s last blog post..How A Life Coach Can Help WAHMs Succeed!
2Jen Knox
wrote on 16 November 2008 at 21:18
As a “co-conspirator” yesterday, I think it is FABULOUS that you thinking about this!
I remember a year or so ago (not sure exactly when) you changed your hair and were so proud of how it looked. I remember thinking that day, “that girl could be a model”. I still believe it but you’ll never know unless you try.
Just be careful, check people out and never pay to get a modeling job. A reputable agency only makes money when you make money. The only thing you should ever have to pay for are photos and transportation. And it sounds like you have an in-house photographer anyway.
Please consider it! You are beautiful!
Jen Knox’s last blog post..Motrin, it’s not you, it’s me…
3Tammy
wrote on 16 November 2008 at 21:51
ok you already know what I’m going to say (well because you already mentioned it LOL)
But yes if you want to do it… go for it! Flip the switch and stop your “thinking” because the only one stopping you is YOU! I bet your sister-in-law could help you get a portfolio together .
You CAN do this if WANT to… just got to go out there and do it! : )
Tammy’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Hunter!
4Genesis
wrote on 16 November 2008 at 23:07
Good for you for considering this, I would LOVE to see you posting about your modeling gigs.
I`m an over-size-12 gal myself (does that make us super plus size or something?) so I think it`s great. Those photos are definitely good ones, too. Go for it!
5Loretta
wrote on 17 November 2008 at 10:28
Size doesn’t matter. Marilyn Monroe was a 14/16 and considered one of the most beautiful women of all time. I laugh that a 12 is considered PLUS this days. I remember the days of being a 12…. and I certainly never felt plus at that time.
I agree with the gals, sorry I missed the Twitter chatter the other day ~ you’ve definitely got sparkle!
6Anna Kujawski
wrote on 17 November 2008 at 12:14
There seems to a lot of misinformation here, so I thought I’d jump on and share some legitimate info with you. I’m here to help!
You need to consider a few things before pursuing such a career. There are requirements for plus size models, and they include height and size restrictions. You need to be at least 5’8” (5’10” is preferable in the bigger markets like NYC, Miami, L.A., etc) and fall between sizes 8 and 16/18. Yes, plus sizes start at size 8 as far as agencies are concerned, regardless of what the general population thinks. You need to be well-proportioned, toned and in good shape, have great skin, hair and teeth, and be quite photogenic - let’s not forget - we’re talking about MODELING, and just being big does not cut it. It also helps if you have few, if any, tattoos. If you have these things going for you, I encourage you to attend an open call at an agency near you that represents plus size models. You can find one by calling agencies that are listed in your local yellow pages and asking if they rep plus size girls, and then asking when their plus size open calls occur. You will need to get in front of an agent who will determine your marketability in this industry and advise you accordingly. Walk in wearing light makeup, simple but well-fitting clothing, and lose the high heels - they will know how tall you are so don’t try to fudge it. Bring some simple shots of yourself that show your face and your full body - they don’t need to be professional shots. They will look at your photos and will see your potential without all the makeup. You may be measured on the spot, or asked to be photographed in your underwear, so get rid of your inhibitions NOW.
You need to be in or near a large market – smaller towns don’t normally have modeling agencies, let alone plus size divisions. Your competition knows where to go, and they are going there, believe me. You can be stunningly beautiful, but if you can’t make it to an open call or casting because you live too far away and cannot travel at the drop of a hat, you definitely have a strike against you. Your competition is thrilled to know that you don’t have the money for a bus ticket or that your car is in the shop - means more opportunity for them!
IF you are marketable, the agent will ask you to do several test shoots that you have to pay for, so please be ready to spend money and time developing your look. Agencies do not typically pick up these fees – the model must do so. (You WILL need to spend money to get your career off the ground and to maintain it - modeling is not a get-rich-quick career. If you have kids and/or school to finish, you need to plan how you’re going to balance it all.) You may be asked to cut/trim/color your hair, get manicures and pedicures and to hit the gym before the shoot. You will be given a list of photographers that you can call to schedule a shoot, and you will pay them directly. A good agency will never ask for money directly – it’s a transaction between you and the photog. If you want to get the most out of your test shoots, you should hire a makeup artist, hair stylist and fashion stylist to work on the shoot with you.
When your shots come back, your potential agent will see if you have what it takes, and then she/he will submit your photos to clients and see what kind of response you get. They usually submit a comp card, which is a collection of photos that you need to pay for, to the clients to get their feedback. There are no guarantees, and you will only work if clients like/need your look.
Please note: there is no such segment of the market called “specialty plus.” That is a title that certain websites and companies (and a lot of people on Myspace who wish they could model) have created in order to get girls who want to be models (but who do not fit model stats) to pose for their websites. There’s no harm in it, except that it misleads women who want to be models into thinking that they can eventually work with agents. It’s just not realistic. It also helps the photographers who shoot such girls make money off of them, of course, but it’s rather disingenuous for such people to make money off of girls who will most likely not work within the industry. It’s a great ego boost but girls without model stats won’t work in the legit modeling industry.
You can visit a great plus size modeling thread and get advice from working models, photographers, stylists, makeup artists and others within the industry at http://www.curvychick.com. Take any support you get with a grain of salt - there are plenty of women who will say that you’ve “got it,” but they usually just want to be nice and not have a hand in dashing your dreams. I personally don’t want a hand in misleading anyone. AND if someone says you don’t really have it, don’t take it personally - you’re not being judged as a person, not on your looks, but on your marketability - if you can’t take the heat you should find another career.
Good luck!