Caroline Pires

18 year old Caroline Pires is well on her way to becoming America's Next Top Model. Starting out as a ballerina in South Carolina, this beauty has moved on to work for big names like coach.


Model Experience: How old were you when you first got into modeling?
Caroline Pires: I was scouted when I was 12 at a dance competition, and signed to an agency that very same week. From then on I spent more and more time in New York modeling, until I finally moved here.

ME:  Are you signed with anyone?
CP: Yes, I'm signed to Wilhelmina.

ME: What was appealing to you about modeling?
CP:  I was most drawn to modeling because opportunities it presents to experience things that I would otherwise never have to ability to experience. For example, as model you are able to travel all over the world virtually free of charge. Had I not started modeling, I probably would not have been able to visit as many beautiful places as I have. Also, from an artistic stand point, modeling can be very interesting. Not so much because of the model, but because of the photographer. To see the artistic vision of a really talented photographer come to fruition is a very cool thing, so that is another aspect of modeling that I really enjoy. 

ME: Is the business as tough as people say it is?
CP: Yes, but it depends on how you look at things. If you look at modeling as a job, it is tough and definitely unconventional, but it is just like any other job. However, since you are your own product as a model, you have to be careful not to base your self worth on how your career is going, which is a mistake I think many models make.

ME: What has been your favorite photoshoot?
CP: Last year I did a Coach China campaign, which was really fun. They gave me 15 red balloons and had me walk up and down Madison Avenue. Not sure who enjoyed it more, me or the tourists.

ME: What has been the hardest photoshoot you've had to do.
CP:  Hmmm, shooting in a bathing suit on the beach in the middle of the winter is always a drag.

ME: Has modeling influenced your style at all? What would you describe your style as?
CP: Yes it definitely has. Even when I'm not modeling, I usually wear all black.

ME: What would be your advice to a new model in the industry?
CP: The same thing I said earlier, be sure not to let modeling become more than a job. Don't assess your self worth based on your career, instead have fun and enjoy the opportunities modeling has to offer.

ME: Do you prefer working in a studio? or shooting outside?
CP: Well, I prefer working in a studio because its warm, you can sit down, there?s usually food etc. However, I usually like shots taken outside better than studio shots. Shooting outside with a trailer is probably the ideal situation.

ME: Has modeling brought you on any travels?
CP: Yes, of course! It brought me to New York permanently, and has brought me to California and Europe as well.

ME: Finish the sentence:
The absolute best thing about modeling is....
CP:  Traveling, free clothes, going out.

ME: The absolute worst thing about modeling is...
CP: The pressure to be thin.

Jill Willcott

Jill, a 19 year old fast talker from Newfoundland, Canada, is making her way through the photography world. With about three years already behind her, she seems to be doing just fine.

Model Experience: How old were you when you first started shooting?
Jill Willcott: 17 I believe

ME: What made you start?
JW: My whole life I've taken photos of my friends so I don't think it was a matter of when I started, but more of when I decided to get a better camera and take photos with a model and concepts, etc.

ME: What camera(s) do you have?
JW: Minolta Maxxum, Minolta XG-1, Polaroid 600, and a Canon T1i

ME: What has been your favorite photoshoot so far?
JW: Probably this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillwill/4490567833/) It's one of my photos that looks the most conceptualized and thought-out, when really it was possibly the most spontaneous. We had just finished a shoot upstairs in the house and had packed up, ready to go home, when I passed that room on the way out and thought it would make such a good set. I mean, it was a disaster before we cleaned it up but I think it worked out quite nicely.

ME: What has been your hardest photoshoot so far?
JW: It wasn't successful at all, but this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillwill/4292143544/) was by far the hardest. Basically everything that could've gone wrong, did, and I ended up racing the sunlight in a foot deep of snow wearing only socks. It was freezing and terrible but those shoots happen every now and then. You deal with it.

ME: What do you want people to take away from your work?
JW: I want my photos to make people stop and notice them because it hits them with a feeling. It doesn't matter what feeling, just something. Something to make them think.

ME: What or who inspires you most?
JW: Music, weather, nostalgia, daydreaming. I can't really tell you why, it just does.

ME: What do you love photographing most?
JW: Definitely people. I think I find them so intriguing because everyone portrays a different story. When I look at a photograph of a person, I subconsciously make up plot lines and situations. I find it a lot easier to relate and interpret photos of people so I guess that's why I choose to shoot them so much myself.

ME: If you could have the perfect photoshoot what would it be?
JW: Oh my lord, this is so hard to pick and probably changes from day to day but right now I would probably choose a group of androgynous looking females and place them in a luxurious cabin in the middle of winter. With a big lake, and lots of snow.


ME: What is the most common misconception about you or your work?
JW: Hmm, I don't really know. I like to think I leave my work open for interpretation.

ME: In 10 years what do you see yourself doing?
JW: I don't like to plan that far ahead but as long as I'm doing what I love and I'm happy, I'll be satisfied.

ME:If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were first starting out, what advice would you give?
JW: The best advice I have to anyone is to try out film. If you don't like it, fine, but at least try it out. My art teacher in grade 12 made me shoot film even though I was pretty resistant but it was hands down one of the best things to happen to me. Maybe I would've told myself to start shooting film earlier in life but I really wouldn't change anything even if I could.

ME: Finish my sentence:
The best part about being a photographer is....
JW: ...all the awesome people I get to meet.
ME: The worst part about being a photographer is....
JW: ...how abused it gets because of it's cliche.

 More of Jill's work on her website!

*Small fun fact:
Jill and our last model we interviewed, Madison Taylor, have worked together! You can see some of the pictures here

Madison Taylor

18 year old Madison Taylor, with Ford Teens, is a southern girl at heart but moved to the big bad city to pursue her dreams as a model.

Model Experience: How old were you when you first got into modeling?
Madison Taylor: I was 10 years old when I first began to model. I stayed for a summer and never went home.

ME: What was appealing to you about modeling?
MT: Because I was so young and I didn't know much about it; I use to always love to have my photo taken when i was younger and watch fashion shows on TV.

ME: Is the business as tough as people say it is?
MT: Yes it has its ups and downs but if you love what you do everyday its not tough as most think. The sterotypes exist everywhere but i believe less than the average person believes because there are other factors that affect ones expierence and view on the industry.

ME: Has modeling influenced your style at all? What would you describe your style as?
MT: Yes I have always been influenced by the industry but every since i was younger i always dressed wild and had my own sense of style. However, I would describe my style as vintage with a edgy twist. I love mixing and matching patterns.... my style is taking typical patterns but mixing them making an outfit unpredictable.

ME: What would be your advice to a new model in the industry?
MT: Don't get easily discouraged and don't take everything too seriously but always create bonds with the people you work with and be professional.

ME: What has been your favorite photoshoot?
MT: Oh my I have been doing this for 8 years so off the top of my head.... probably when i was younger the Tommy Hilfiger Campaign because all of my friends were with me and we just had a blast it wasn't like a job.

ME: What has been the hardest photoshoot you've had to do?
MT: Probably shooting in hardly any clothes in the winter time on a beach and running in the ocean. I couldn't feel my body although it was something simple considering the conditions and wearing hardly anything on my legs it was miserable!

ME: Do you prefer working in a studio? or shooting outside?
MT: I love either i think that it doesn't matter but sometimes shooting outside is exciting more to work with but the downside is the lighting is hard to control and can be time consuming but it doesn't really mattter.  Work is work.

ME: Has modeling brought you on any travels?
MT: Yes the most recent was when i went to Mexico for a shoot. We had a super early call time and shot in City hall and then had the rest of the day to lay by the pool and roast! I went back to school nice and tan in the middle of February.

ME: Finish the sentence:
The absolute best thing about modeling is....
MT: Meeting great talented people from designers, makeup/hair artists, photographers... etc.
ME: The absolute worst thing about modeling is...
MT: There is always going to be someone who looks similar to you and appeals more to the client but if you have a great personality you can win them over; so don't let it get to you there is always something out there. Also, the worst thing is those who walk around thinking they are better than you.

Happy Sunday

It's safe to say Sunday is recovery day for most of us. After two nights of heavy partying I like wind down with good yoga session and a nice bellini. My last two weeks of class end soon so I'll be able to relax een more soon. So, I'm off to yoga my little icons and I'll be back to update more tonight.
-J

Tatler Russia December 2010
Russia is dominating December 2010 with these editorials.

Jessica Stam photographed by Greg Kadel for Vogue Russia, Dec 2010

Stop the presses!

LILY COLE IS NO LONGER A RED HEAD!
Supermodel stepped out unveiling her new, dark locks.
You know what? I really like it! It's very Bettie Page and I'm a sucker for a pale girl with dark hair. Let's start shooting photographers! A whole new era to Lily Cole has begun.