Isidora, 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?
I'm 19 years. I will be 20 in August. I'm born in Cacak, Serbia and I live in Kragujevac, Serbia  I'm a law student, but modeling is my hobby.
 
What do you love most about modelling?
The most I love about modelig is photo shootings, preparing for shooting, working and talking with photographers, stay in front of the camera and feel so comfortable in front of it.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
My career highlight is filming a music video for our popular Serbian singer, and photoshoot for several local fashion company.
 
Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
On my recent shoots, I was wearing my combination. I wear Adidas neon sneakers, white jeans, rose t-shirt and to much gold jewelry. I like neon colours!
 
What really goes on behind the scenes as a model?
On behind the scenes I pose the best (I think that is best haha), and my photographer gives me advice. Before new pictures are taken, I am fixing my make up and hairstyles. relax with some songs and then shooting can start. And smiling is mandatory.
 
Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
I work with several photographers, but I prefer photoshoots with Dusko Lukovic
 
Define your personal style.
I like thin clothes, unusual and recognizable. And maybe provocative (just a little bit, and not always)

Who would you say is your 'style muse'?
I like Jennifer Lopez, because she wearing 'Versace'
 
Your favourite designer is… ?
Versace!
 
Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue,Vogue, Vogue!
 
Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
Hahaha I don't know.
 
What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
In the next five years I see myself with facultaty degree and successful career in modeling. I see myself with two jobs. model and lawyer.
 
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
Definitely Paris, France, Milano, Italy and San Diego, USA. I think, that's all

What do you love most about modelling?
Being a model is the work I always dreamed of when I was a little child. Back then I tried my mom’s dresses and did the runway in front of my parents.
What I love most about my work nowadays is the self confidence, that it gives me in front of other people. Being remarked by everybody and having all the looks on you – that’s what I live for.
What impresses me a lot about this work is the impression that you’re able to give with the photos. Just with the appearance and the attitude of the model, and – of course- its look. Being in front of a camera is a huge pleasure for me. Each time I get to know another side of myself.
 
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
So far, I had two highlights in my career: the first at the end of the African Pop Show Parade, when all the spectators came to greet me and take pictures with me, telling me that I was the best among all models participating in this parade. That was a great pleasure and it made me gain a lot of confidence in me and the work I do. The second point, which is also significant for me, was when one of the top glamour photographers in the world liked my picture on the social media.  When I saw the number of persons who view my pictures, it was a huge surprise for me! And it made me want to succeed even more with my next pictures.
 
Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
My last shot was with a really passionate Moroccan photographer Amine Fassi. I really enjoyed working with him and we did some great shots in black and white. The theme was boxing, and it was one of the best shoots I have ever had. We did it in a studio, that was adapted to the theme and had the perfect light in there. I love the resulting photos and also got a lot of positive feedback from my friends.

What really goes on behind the scenes as a model?
Stressed! This is always the case behind the scenes. Waiting for the shoot to start, I always stress myself to give all my best to succeed. I try to keep in mind all the advices given to me. The first is to breathe well - it helps me enormously during the parade. Regarding the shots, it is very important to pay attention to the detail of the poses and the facial expression. Like always shift your hands, hide the thumbs, do not show the elbows and knees, and have an expression that goes with the pose. And always keep in mind: be as natural as possible. In the picture every detail counts. That’s the secret to do a good job.
 
Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
In my career I had the opportunity to work with French, Moroccan, and other Senegalese photographers. But for me the most marking photographer, and with whom I have taken the most pictures, is the Moroccan one Mr. Amine Fassi. He is very passionate with his work and with him I took some of my greatest shots. He really has an eye for details and pays attention to everything you can imagine. He’s insisting on the tiniest thing, which can be hard sometimes. But in the end the result is just awesome.

Define your personal style.
My style is simple. I love the casual look: jeans and a t –shirt. But also dresses of all colors are part of my everyday wardrobe. Shoes in my private live have to be flat because…it’s just more comfortable! Heels are kept for special occasions, which are quite rare actually. Even on the runway I avoid putting them – not because I don’t like it, but just to be at the same height with the other models!
 
Who would you say is your 'style muse'?
I don’t have one.
 
Your favorite designer is… ?
My favorite designers are Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Carolina Herrera, Louboutin and Valentino.
 
Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue. My Favorite magazine.
 
Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
No, not especially.
 
What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
In the 5 years following, I intend to do my master studies in “Management of Enterprises” with a double degree abroad. This Master will allow me to create my own business and it is at this point that I try to do the link between my studies and my passion. My dream is to launch a modeling agency in Morocco one day.
 
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
The Maldives…and after that Rio de Janeiro !

Thank you so much Immie for giving us a glimpse into your world.

Thanks to Amine Fassi for taking the photos of Immie.

Amanda, why modeling?
For me it's another creative form in which can be used to express myself. I have always considered myself more of an artist but when you get to work with others who also have a vision of something inspiring, that's when you can create a whole new kind of art that encourages you to keep pushing the boundaries of what you thought you could do. It's a personal challenge but fun to try. 

What do you love most about modeling?
Meeting other like minded artists, whether they are models, designers, photographers, or makeup artists. You can learn a lot from them and I've made some great friends. 

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Getting the opportunity to do fashion shows in Tokyo. It's a big name and has a global feel to it. I know many models aspire to work there so I feel lucky to say that's something that I've done.

Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
Most recent I have tried including my handmade head pieces into the shoots as a way to show off more of what I can do besides modeling. I've also been able to meet up with some awesome people who are experts in their line of work that can really help to create something new and captivating. 

What really goes on behind the scenes as a model?
Behind the scenes you'll see a lot of people working hard to collaborate on something that's usually on a tight time schedule. Sometimes there are last minute changes so you'll have to be prepared to adapt and pull it off like it was meant to be that way. It can be a bit of a challenge but it's rewarding to see the results.

Who would you say is your 'style muse'?
Actually it's a good friend of mine who is also a makeup artist. She can do a variety of styles and pull them off naturally. I'm very lucky to have met her those many years ago. 

Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue. 

Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
A black and silver knitted macrame bead bracelet by Eenabo Jewerly.

Maria, 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?
I’m 22 years old and was born in Hamburg, Germany. I moved to Munich about three years ago where I currently live and study law at Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität. Whenever studying allows it, I spent time with my horse (Magnifico, Andalusian horse, 12).

What do you love most about modelling?
I love the creativity about photography and being able to wear and try out different styles and make-up that I don’t get a chance to wear in my daily life. Also every photographer brings their own style and interpretation to a shoot, so with every new person I get a chance to work with I’m able to see different versions of myself in the end results.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
I was booked for an advertising video production for an app for the „Bayrische Staatsbiliothek“. That’s the library attached to my university and has been my second home for the last three years. Being able to work in an environment where I’ve been spending so many hours in my student life was quite the experience.

Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
I’ve had a lovely shoot with a young female photographer who was incredibly fun to work with. We luckily had just about perfect weather conditions, a nice lakeside location, soft wind for flying hair and I absolutely loved the results. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I discovered a great new shooting location in Munich which we’ve been trying out a few times since then. Different times of day, different weather, different styles – it’s amazing how many ways there are to change up a shooting, even in a single location. Coming up are a few shootings with amazing photographers.

What really goes on behind the scenes as a model?
Most of the behind the scenes stuff usually revolves about getting the little details right – moving a few inches in every direction, getting all strains of hair under control, removing distracting objects from the background, wait for the perfect moment of sunlight and then hoping the focus is on point and I don’t blink or else do the same thing all over again. Then add things like wind gusts, random people walking in the background, slow analog cameras and lenses without auto-focus or even motion shots into the mix and it can really take a lot of retries to get the perfect shot.

Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
The ones who not only make great photographs but also are people you really connect on a personal level. That’s what makes a shooting not only fun, but also creates the most interesting results in my experience.

Define your personal style.
In my personal life my favorite pieces are leather jackets and blazers. The majority of my wardrobe is black because it’s just so easy to combine with everything and that saves a lot of time in the morning. Also heels, lots of them, in every variation.

Who would you say is your 'style muse’?
I never had specific „style muse“. 

Your favourite designer is… ?
Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Elie Saab (the evening dresses). Also Louboutin, got to love those red bottom heels.

Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vogue. But I only rarely read fashion related magazines.

Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
No, not really.

What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
I hope to pass all my exams at university and probably starting my thesis after that.

If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
I’d go to „Digger’s Rest Station“ a secluded cattle station in Western Australia. I spend an amazing three weeks of vacation there about four years ago. I’m definitely planning to travel there again after university.

photo credits: Mark Kujath, Lukas Böhm and Marc Große-Allermann

To take a look not only on these well known facts, we today like to focus on some other important aspects on the job as model - model health and education. This is a difficult, emotional issue, that affects many individuals and their families. We therefore asked Dr. Anna Komis, an experienced model, about her views on education and health in model business. Anna is born in Belarus, but today lives in the United States. She is a medical doctor and also modeling besides this main profession.

Anna, we like to start with some questions to introduce you as model. So why modelling?
I have to pay my bill while study to board my medical diploma.

What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
Find my self and to be happy :)

If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
Where my heart is - my family!

You told us, that Sport always was a big part of your life. How could or better can you arrange it with your jobs?
After I got my medical diploma it was a time to be back to sport but from the other side – I got a personal trainer license (pilates, bodyshape, callanetics, yoga).  Being in the USA definitely has changed my life “from head to toe”! But people never change and I am way too stubborn to stop learning as much as possible and I still do WO every day. You just need to understand, that it is just a part of your life and to put it on the same level of necessity as breath or eat. And it is not about time or finances: I used to waked up at 3.30 am (after went to bed at 11 pm) every day to do my WO to be able to make it on time at work 75 ml drive away from home or when I worked for 96 hours/week (yes, 96) I still found time for my WO. Obviously level of intensity and a duration of WO is different every day …..  Just do your best! And the more you don’t want to do it, the more you will be proud of yourself after you did it!

We often hear about the demanding diet and exercise regimens of female models. What is your opinion on that issue?
We all have our desired level of physical appearance and for me it is not about being a “fat free” model. I want to be fit and the most important healthy. It is important to understand that “diet is not about starvation, it is about culture of eating”.  I follow a simple rule: “Eat clean, exercise dirty!” No way around! My solution to eat clean is to cook by myself so I know what I put in and it is pretty cost effective. Of cause I do not cook 4 meals every day from scratch! Buying in bulk or on sale, spending 2-3 hours for a meal prep for a week and to freeze is my way to go. Another helpful tip is to always have some healthy snacks on hand so when you unexpectedly feel hungry, you will reach for a “good” food, because it is convenient … especially if you have no junk food in your refrigerator :)  At the end of a day “you will always find another job but you will never find another Health”!

Anna, thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world and your views on health and education

Shante, 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 model age is 23… ;-) My hometown is Orlando, FL and I am currently residing in Jacksonville, FL. Besides modeling and acting, I plan events and activities for senior citizens to motivate seniors to continue living life beyond retirement.

What do you love most about modelling?
The connections I make with others, within the industry, on all levels of experience.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
Thus far, the highlight of my career may not mean much to many but, to me it means EVERYTHING – which was receiving a notification that Wilhelmina Models Miami “liked” a recent photo I’ve posted on social media – their small gesture demonstrated that top agencies are observing/noticing me. 

Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
I’ve recently shot for the international fashion label, Alexandra Ni, and a commercial shoot for Louisiana-based, Lost Treasures Clothing.

What really goes on behind the scenes as a model?
Long hours of preparation… it takes numerous hours to prepare for only 30 minutes to an hour or less of shoot time/show time (runway).

Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
In order for me to answer this question, I must re-phrase the question: What photographer do I long to work with? Just give me a 15-minute shoot with Nigel Barker and I will be satisfied.

Define your personal style?
Casual-chic

Who would you say is your 'style muse'?
My ‘style muse’ is also my favorite iconic, fashion designer, Gabrielle Bonheur (Coco Chanel).  

Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Definitely, Vogue!

Is there any particular designer piece you are crushing on right now?
The “Rain Dress” which is a simple black and white peppered dress with two distinct cutouts from, international fashion label, Alexandra Ni.

What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
Walking the runway or featured in commercials for Victoria’s Secret and acting in major films.

If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
Dubai!!!

Shante, thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world.

Briana, why modeling?
If someone's viewing this I'd want them to know, that modeling makes me so happy! This is my world it can be discouraging at times. The day I was gonna "focus my energies elsewhere" you guys contacted me seconds later! Also i'd want them to keep pushing themselves and support people around you that are trying to get ahead. Most of my support are from complete strangers. If I had to base my modeling career of my" friends" I would not be shooting with photographers all over the states.

The reason I decided to pursue modeling had alot to do with self validation. I was a shy chunky, timid loner growing up. I was also ridiculously tall so had alot of awkwardly unwanted attention, which in turn made me feel like I wasn't good enough. After realizing my Amazonian height can actually be a trademark, I began being tired of not "feeling good enough". I changed my diet, started making youtube vlogs, and I ran across my first photographer Leah Mask. If my modelling started anywhere, she was the fuel to the fire! She gave me my first set of digitals and I was obsessed.

What do you love most about modelling?
My favorite aspect of modeling is the concept building. I always have little creative ideas dancing around my noggin, but then, when you collaborate with a photographer, it becomes almost instant effortless magic. Which is truly magic in its self. Two creative energies flowing to make something so fleeting yet so perfect. Recently im obsessed with recreations. Recreating old supermodel poses from the 50's or old film into stills!

Tell us about some of your recent shoots.
I love horses so being able to do an equestrian shoot was incredible!  Although I was so nervous i'd get thrown off!! But i'm sucker for any shoot that calls for me to wear a vintage dress. The horse shoot had been a goal for a while, but my dream shoot would be in Egypt or Dubai ... prominent landscapes ... long flowly dresses. (Drastic I know )Or even a recreation of a Beverly Johnson photoshoot.

Your favourite designer is… ?
Vera Wang is hands down my fav designer

Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar?
Vouge. Def vogue end goal= vogue

What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years?
If I could do anything else besides modeling, it be finishing up law school
or my own talent agency to inspire the shy timid girls like I used to be.

If you could choose an interesting person, who would you like to meet?
If I could meet anyone other than Joe Rogan (I'm obessed with that man), it'd be Neil deGrasse Tyson. He's so important culturally in today's society.

Alina, 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?
I´m 20 years old. I was born in a nice small city near Lake Constance in Germany and still live in this region. I'm working in a fasting clinic as a waitress.
 
What do you love most about modelling?
I love it that I can be just myself and make diffrent facial expressions with my face.
The face is the protocol of the character. And I like the challenge to try new things.

What´s been the highlight of your career so far?
I think my highlight was a shooting in Freiburg. There were two different photographers, who wanted to shoot me outdoor. It was very funny, because I didn´t know in which camera I should look.
And I also had a very nice partner shooting with a boy.
 
Tell us some of your recent shoots.
The last shooting, that I had, was in a little studio. I dressed like snowwhite and made red flashy lips and rosy cheeks, because I love my white skin tone and everyboday say snowwhite to me.
 
Define your personal style!
My style is a bit like sweet, chic but casual and comfortable.
 
Your favourite designer is?
Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier und Heidi Klum.
 
Vogue or Harper´s Bazaar?
Both!

Is there any particular designer piece you crushing on right now?
Definitly! A clock from Micheal Kors.
 
What do you hope to be doing in the next five years?
I want to live in an own house at the lake and being in a great agency and more modelling like maybe walking on a fashion show in Germany.
 
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
I would go to New York. Because it´s my big wish some day go to america and it´s a big fashion icon.
 
Alina, thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world.