photo: Peter Jonaitis
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By looking through the web by coincidence we discovered a photo of her and then had a look at her Facebook page. We were immediately impressed by her appearance in front of the camera and asked her for an interview. Lucky as we are, she agreed and here we go to introduce you Cologne based up and coming model Nicole Bäcker. Nicole, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now, What is your profession and do you have other besides modeling? My Name is Nicole Bäcker, born in Wipperfürth, Germany. I'm twenty six years old and a trained nurse. I currently live in Lindlar. However, you can also say in the vicinity of Cologne, as many do not know my place. |
I am working in modeling now for 2 years and have become self-employed in this field meanwhile. My story is actually very exciting and beautiful. It all started with some application photos, that I needed as I was looking for a job. Arrived at the photo studio, I was asked to do some shoots for the photo studio itself, cause they are always looking for new faces and took me in account. I decided to go for it and it turned out, that these photos were very well received of all my environment. Everybody was enthusiastic and stated, that I'm a "real beauty" just with a touch of mascara and a little bit of powder. Again and again I got the opinion, that I should definitely make something of it.
So out of pure fun I then logged in to a model community with the pictures taken by the studio and some additional photos - I have to laugh about it today - simply taken with my cell phone. I have to admit, it felt great to be in front of a camera, and after this first experience I couldn't hold back myself to more shoots. Well, originally it wasn't planned to go out this way, but as happier I am to have been arrived in this business, where I simply feel at home. Although it is bitter some time and a pretty tough business, I have the chance to see and do things, that i never took into account for me to happen.
So out of pure fun I then logged in to a model community with the pictures taken by the studio and some additional photos - I have to laugh about it today - simply taken with my cell phone. I have to admit, it felt great to be in front of a camera, and after this first experience I couldn't hold back myself to more shoots. Well, originally it wasn't planned to go out this way, but as happier I am to have been arrived in this business, where I simply feel at home. Although it is bitter some time and a pretty tough business, I have the chance to see and do things, that i never took into account for me to happen.
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photos: Thomas Wisnewski
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I was contacted by some members of the model and photographer community, I had signed in, and they claimed, that the quality of my photos doesn't represent the possibilities I have and offered to take better photos of me. So after an eternal time to make an appointment, as it was difficult for both sides to get it scheduled, we managed to take new photos of me and these pictures were really great. Now I got a lot of popularity by third parties also. A short time later I was signed by an agency, whereby I have to say, that I'm no longer with an agency now since I prefer to arrange jobs myself and can say, that it works pretty well.
I have done my job as a nurse with passion and dedication and the patients were often thankful for my kind, loving and caring personality. But even if you like to enrich the care for people, if nothing is changed in the system at all. About the everyday life of a nurse or caregivers I believe I could write volumes of books. My question at the end was, for what reason have I worked for a good education, if not much of it can be implemented in practice. I really had the feeling sometimes, without wanting to put a bad light on this job, that patients are blatantly handled as customers. However, it simply lacks staff and the time left virtually gives you no chance for humanity in this profession anymore. So I finally made the hobby modeling my job.
I have done my job as a nurse with passion and dedication and the patients were often thankful for my kind, loving and caring personality. But even if you like to enrich the care for people, if nothing is changed in the system at all. About the everyday life of a nurse or caregivers I believe I could write volumes of books. My question at the end was, for what reason have I worked for a good education, if not much of it can be implemented in practice. I really had the feeling sometimes, without wanting to put a bad light on this job, that patients are blatantly handled as customers. However, it simply lacks staff and the time left virtually gives you no chance for humanity in this profession anymore. So I finally made the hobby modeling my job.
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What do you love most about modelling?
I love traveling, bringing in creative ideas and set inspirations free. Just to live the moment and to be carried away by the feeling of a photoshoot. To be able to present yourself so diversely. Or even just to be able to present yourself on commission. Simply, I love great photo series, the whole flow, just everything, that is associated with it and I enjoy being able to show great results every time. It's been a different life for me ever since I do this. Chaotic, hectic, sometimes quite scary or just to to go crazy. But it's the hottest life that you can build, provided you're willing to sacrifice a lot. |
photo: Alexander Kleckers
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What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Now let's just start with the fact, that it is pretty hard and a good start to be able to make your living out of it and stick to it. Since I'm just 170cm tall and have a body size of pure 36 with just 57 kg, it is difficult to always get paid quite high fees, since most agencies want to have a minimum of 175cm or even 180cm tall models. Among other things, I was already active as a model for Lindt and AMG Mercedes and was already in talks for horse catalogs and many more. Recently I was asked to come to Spain for a huge label for 4 months to shoot there. However, unfortunately I would be too small and with a size of 85-72-95 probably not suitable. So, starting at a certain size, simply with pure recognition and an expressive face, you have to score really cool poses and incomparable pictures until you get into the big race. However I am currently on the best way.
Now let's just start with the fact, that it is pretty hard and a good start to be able to make your living out of it and stick to it. Since I'm just 170cm tall and have a body size of pure 36 with just 57 kg, it is difficult to always get paid quite high fees, since most agencies want to have a minimum of 175cm or even 180cm tall models. Among other things, I was already active as a model for Lindt and AMG Mercedes and was already in talks for horse catalogs and many more. Recently I was asked to come to Spain for a huge label for 4 months to shoot there. However, unfortunately I would be too small and with a size of 85-72-95 probably not suitable. So, starting at a certain size, simply with pure recognition and an expressive face, you have to score really cool poses and incomparable pictures until you get into the big race. However I am currently on the best way.
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photos: John Fenkl
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Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
Every shoot is something special for me, as every person is special. In general, I can say to my shootings, that the ideas are always developed together. It's always fun. Of course, I prefer to shoot outdoor, but now the time of year is coming, when at some point it will just get too cold to work several hours outside. The photographers always appreciate my pure skin and my big green shining eyes. I generally shoot everything except nude and semi nude. In this interview I just want to express my gratitude to all, who know me and love to work with me again and again. After some time, you have a small network. It's like a small family. You ask and there's something organized right away in most cases. I have to admit, I've had it very rarely so far, that the sympathy has not jumped over in both.
Every shoot is something special for me, as every person is special. In general, I can say to my shootings, that the ideas are always developed together. It's always fun. Of course, I prefer to shoot outdoor, but now the time of year is coming, when at some point it will just get too cold to work several hours outside. The photographers always appreciate my pure skin and my big green shining eyes. I generally shoot everything except nude and semi nude. In this interview I just want to express my gratitude to all, who know me and love to work with me again and again. After some time, you have a small network. It's like a small family. You ask and there's something organized right away in most cases. I have to admit, I've had it very rarely so far, that the sympathy has not jumped over in both.
photo: Cornel Krämer
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What really goes on behind the scenes as a model? You have to respond to requests as quickly as possible, always ready for the next trip. Always take good care of yourself and always keep yourself in shape. You shouldn't behave uptight or bitchy in any way. You have to do a lot to promote yourself and if you do everything on your own, you should have a good office status. Here and there the cell phone rings while you're getting your make up. So it's a lot of work behind the scenes, a lot of effort and you should not be very sensitive. Of course we are all human, but mistakes are not forgiven. Anyone, who is not out of this industry, can actually, with the best of intentions, not imagine how stressful and annoying the whole job can be. It's not just, "hang out and look pretty". No, it's the hard work, discipline, self-sacrifice, the constant improvement of yourself and the dedication to be able to deliver a complete package of an extraordinary model with expression, strength and just crazy ideas. Nice is good, but without some certain personal skills and personality benefits it's not enough. That's how I see it. I, as a normal average tall lady, would really wish that the sizes do not exactly determine who is good or not. Size in my opinion should not be a criteria of first choice. Of course you should be a minimum of 165 cm tall at least, but this is my own opinion. However it is all about the point of view of the evaluating person and the requirements and specifications made by the industry. |
Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
I deliberately do not name any darlings, because in principle I am always very diversified with photographers and so far I hardly have a person, with whom I would not shoot again, with a few exceptions. With whom I prefer to work, or where I have a really good wire, they notice it quite fast and know it that way.
I don't like to name any favorites, because in principle I have worked always very diverse with photographers and so far there is - without a few exemptions - hardly no person, which I wouldn't like to work again with. People, I like, realize this pretty fast.
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photos: Cornel Krämer
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Define your personal style.
My own style needs to reflect myself. Let's say it should transport something, address or inspire others. It's maybe like a cinema in your head. However, I think a lot of it ... elegant, simple sexy, fresh, a little crazy, sensual. You do not just have to stay with beautiful, cheeky or such things. The style is always your own handwriting. So I like it, when it comes down to just elegant and simple. I do not think much of it, when pictures seem overloaded. Also I keep it flexible, the overall picture must be consistent.
My own style needs to reflect myself. Let's say it should transport something, address or inspire others. It's maybe like a cinema in your head. However, I think a lot of it ... elegant, simple sexy, fresh, a little crazy, sensual. You do not just have to stay with beautiful, cheeky or such things. The style is always your own handwriting. So I like it, when it comes down to just elegant and simple. I do not think much of it, when pictures seem overloaded. Also I keep it flexible, the overall picture must be consistent.
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Who would you say is your 'style muse'? Marilyn Monroe Your favorite designer is ...? I really like Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar? I think both are very attractive. I would not be able to decide accordingly. For me Vogue has been better known so far. Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now? I would not think of any right away. |
photo: Peter Jonaitis
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What do you hope to do in the next 5 years?
I hope that I, as well as my family, enjoy the best health and satisfaction. I am allowed to at least travel half the world in the next 5 years, if not even whole world. I can always lead a decent life and may pursue my dream job for a long time. Often it's the little things, that make you happy. And that my name becomes a term in the business.
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
I would love to see Australia or Norway.
I hope that I, as well as my family, enjoy the best health and satisfaction. I am allowed to at least travel half the world in the next 5 years, if not even whole world. I can always lead a decent life and may pursue my dream job for a long time. Often it's the little things, that make you happy. And that my name becomes a term in the business.
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
I would love to see Australia or Norway.
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photos: Peter Jonaitis (upper left and right), Cornel Krämer
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(left and middle right), Thomas Wisnewski (bottom right)
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photo credits for this article: Thomas Wisnewski, Peter Jonaitis, Alexander Kleckers, John Fenkl and Cornel Krämer