MDC Member since March 2007
View Poppy’s Portfolio
Age: 15
Location: Huddersfield, United Kingdom

How did you become interested in modeling?
I was always interested in acting and I love to be in front of a camera, I looked in to the whole entertainment industry and found that a lot of actresses and actors started in the modeling industry. I started to research modeling on the internet when I came across Models.com. That
pretty much cemented my ambitions! I found that modeling opened a lot of doors and kick started the passions that I now have.

What agencies have you been in contact through MODELS.com?
When I went on a weekend visit to New York I met up with Wally from Small Group Models. I also was contacted by Aries Talents from Italy who were very nice, but, I think the best contacts I have had so far are the photographers. I have learnt an awful lot just by listening to the advice from them and then through them I have been recommended to various agencies. It all started at Models.com.

What was your experience with them?
Luckily I have found all the agencies that I have met have been very nice and helpful. I learnt that there are standards and not everyone can be a model, even really pretty ones. I have had harsh critques, but have taken on board what they have had to say. I also found that my portfolio was received quite differently, depending on the agency and the bookers. You have to think very carefully and do a lot of research before presenting the book to make sure that it is appropriate to their business.

MDC Member since September 2007
View Matej’s Portfolio
Age: 27
Location: Toronto, Canada
Agency Contacts: Ford, Elite Toronto

How did you become interested in modeling?
Since primary school, there have been guys who would laugh at me for how I looked. I used to be a really fat guy and I really wanted to show them that I could change. When I was fifteen, I decided to change my life completely and I said to myself that I would show them. I decided I wanted to make it onto the cover of a magazine one day. I know it was crazy idea, but that idea kept me going. I worked hard on my change and I can say I changed my body (unfortunately, I didn’t make it on any cover, but I am continuing to make my promise a reality).

What agencies have you been in contact through MODELS.com?
Ford and Elite Toronto contacted me.

What was your experience with them?
Elite wanted me to send polaroids and I’ve got the answer already, I’m not the guy they are looking for. I had a meeting with the people from Ford and I am waiting for an answer. As everybody says, there are a million ‘no’s’ and somewhere there will be one ‘yes’ …so keep going ;-)

MDC Member Since: February 2008
View Jean-Philippe’s Portfolio
Location: Austin, TX - USA

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue photography?
My father was a photographer who loved to take pictures of people and I always admired his work, but he would never allow me to touch his camera in fear that I would destroy it. And, as we all know, when you say ‘no’ to a kid, they want it even more. As I got older, that desire to be behind a camera stayed with me.

What is your technical background?
I browsed through my father’s magazines and technical photography books throughout my childhood and became very familiar with lighting techniques and photography before I ever owned my first camera.

I received my degree in Optical Engineering in France. I bought my first camera soon after graduating and moving to England. I started photographing architecture and soon discovered that I loved taking pictures of people as well.

A couple years later, I moved to the U.S. and trained in New York City under Master Photographer Claudio Basso. This is when I really got a grasp of what high-fashion photography required and entailed. I am also grateful to Jerry Avenaim and Richard Reinsdorf for providing me with additional
technical and career advices.

What type of photography do you do?
I currently reside in Austin, Texas and have mostly done beauty and editorial work but am trying to refocus my work towards high fashion. I also offer one-on-one sessions with models to educate them on the industry, and teach them posing and expression.