VOLUPTUA MODEL OF THE WEEK – TESLYN!

Model: Teslyn

Site Link: Teslyn on Model Mayhem

Teslyn is a local plus model on a mission. Although she wants to change the way society views plus women she understands the importance of eating healthy and staying in shape. She is an academic advisor assisting low-income, first generation high school students to attain their goal of attending a four year institution. She is very dedicated and works diligently toward her goal of becoming a successful plus model. Teslyn is part of Project: VOLUPTUA™ which showcases the beauty of plus professionals in entertainment and media. To book Teslyn please contact TRU Model Management at TRU@whosinyours.net.

3 Simple Ways to Get Organized

It's imperative to stay on top of things in this business and that means getting organized. Missed castings, forgotten meetings and late arrivals have no place in the world of fashion and modeling. Below are three things you can do to get organized quickly.

PURCHASE A PDA OR SMARTPHONE – In today's digital world it's a must to be able to receive important information on the go. A Wi-Fi enabled PDA such as the Palm® TX handheld
will keep you organized with its calendar and task features while you're sipping on a latté at your favorite café (must be a Wi-Fi HotSpot). Do yourself one better and pick up a Smartphone such as a BlackBerry, iPhone or Sidekick. Each of these devices allows you stay connected with your email, calendar and To Do lists with the additional bonus of being a mobile phone. You can get an email about a casting or big fashion event, call/text your inner circle with the info and add it to your calendar – SWEET!

USE OUTLOOK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE – Microsoft® Office Outlook® is personal information management (PIM) software allowing you to take charge of all your email and contacts in one convenient location. It also has calendar and task functionality that you can "sync" with most PDAs and mobile phones (like the ones mentioned above). In my opinion, there is no better way to keep track of key contacts or check ALL your email accounts than Outlook®.

USE SPECIALTY ORGANIZERS – Sure you can go to an office supply store and pick up one their boring organizers but it won't allow you to keep track of information specific to your field. That's where the great folks at Holdon Log come in! They offer solutions for actors, models and more including career management software and their pride and joy the Holdon Log Organizer. Stop on by HoldonLog.com today and use Rep ID 851 when ordering and be sure to let them know TRIBE! sent you!!!

Smartphone Image Courtesy: Free Foto.com Outlook® Logo Courtesy: MicroSoft® Office Outlook®
Holdon Log Image Courtesy: HoldonLog.com

Selecting a Comp Card Company

Comp Card Image Credits: E Model Comps

I've been asked on several occasions where to purchase comp cards. Below are several options available. Keep in mind these aren't the only places to get quality comp cards but they are some of the best I've seen. I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Located right here in Chicago is Studio Laser. They have decent quality cards but the price is on the high end compared to other printing companies at $150 for 100 cards.

There's also a company called E Model Comp (TRIBE! Favorite) where you can purchase a minimum of 50 for $70 or 100 for $120. The quality of these cards is the best I've seen by far with images that just POP off the page!

Our graphic designer, Veronica of Skyla J Creative Consulting, told us about another great place called Splat Print where you can get promo cards similar in style to a comp card. Their cost would be $122.50 for 250. They would be slightly smaller than a traditional comp card but the cost would be worth it.

Finally, I've heard that some models are getting their cards printed at Vista Print. You can get a minimum of 50 comp sized cards (8.5"x5.47") for only $22.48; 100 for $37.48!

It all depends on what you need and your budget. If you can afford it I'd go with E Model Comps or Studio Laser. If you need something more budget friendly I'd go with Splat Print or Vista Print.

OOO LA LA!!! Wrap her up!

Just doing my usual rounds through cyberspace checking my favorite blogs and found this juicy post over at our cyber neighbors The Budget Fashionista's spot! I don't ever recall seeing the bandage dress and sure hate that I didn't! Ladies if you have the curves (and the cash!) you may want to check this little number out! To the right is Bebe's Version of the sexy curve hugging piece. At left, a version by Herve Leger. HAUTE, HAUTE, HAUTE!!!

Model Essentials: 5 Tips for a Phenomenal Photo Session

Images are the single most important marketing tool of a model's career. Having the right images in your portfolio can make or break you. Adding to the mix the time and/or money involved it's even more critical that you make the most of each shoot opportunity. Below are five ways I've found to make your shoots more productive.

1. Define Your Goals - What style of images do you need? Will you be submitting the images to an agency or publication? Are they for your portfolio and/or comp cards? Will you be seeking a photographer offering TFP (Time for Print and now commonly referred to a TFCD or Time for CD/Disc) opportunities or will you cough up the cash for a more seasoned professional? Whatever the case may be you should identify your goals BEFORE your shoot as this will affect everything from selecting the right photographer to the choosing the best wardrobe for your shoot.

2. Selecting Your Professional(s) - In my opinion the best thing to do is seek out referrals. Ask fellow models who they recommend based on your goals. Discuss the professionalism of the person or people they refer. Be sure you aren't working with someone known for conducting themselves unethically. You can contact us at info@whosinyours.net for a comprehensive listing of trusted industry professionals and service providers.

3. Your Wardrobe - Sit down with your team (in the very least discuss it with the photographer and/or makeup artist) and decide what look(s) you will use during the shoot. Depending on the style you want to make sure that your wardrobe is creative, in harmony with the latest trends and appropriate for your audience be it an agency, design house or fashion editor. Be sure that the clothing isn’t too complicated to get in and out of as well since this will cause unwanted delays. You also want to consider the theme for the shoot; it will aid in narrowing your selection to just the right clothing and accessories.

4. The Day of the Shoot - Be sure that you show up on time (Translate on time as a minimum of 30 minutes before or more based on any pre-shoot details like hair and makeup) with everything you discussed for the shoot. Remember to be patient with everyone and remember they are experienced professionals so trust their direction and judgment. Additionally, don't forget to sign the photographer's model release if required BEFORE you begin shooting. It will alleviate SO much drama in the long run - trust me! Finally, and probably most important, be pleasant; no one wants to work with someone who thinks they are a "diva!" Remain humble; a positive attitude WILL get you far in this industry.

5. After the Shoot - Once you have completed your shoot thank everyone for their assistance and support. Get business cards if you haven't done so already. Set a time with the photographer to pick up your disc or prints. Don't forget to get critiques from everyone so that you improve for your next shoot. Finally, be sure to refer these people to others in the future; they will surely do the same for you!

These are just some of the things you can do to ensure a successful shoot. For more information on how to prepare for a shoot or to get a listing of professionals to work with please feel free to email me at info@whosinyours.net.

IMAGE CREDITS
Model: Cindy Loving
Photographer: BLOPHOTO
Makeup: Kelli Kolors
Stylist: J. Lyntrell

July Featured Model - CINDY LOVING

Model: Cindy Loving

Site Link: Cindy on Model Mayhem

About Cindy:

A true supermodel in the making Cindy has been fortunate enough to not only set the catwalk ablaze in NY but Paris as well! She is the signature model for local design duo Double Stitch Wear and the director for our own model management division - TRU Model Management. When it comes to naming the next Chicago Supermodel my money is on Cindy to claim the title! To book Cindy visit her online or send an email HERE!

July Featured Makeup Artist - KELLI KOLORS

Makeup Artist: Kelli Kolors

Site Link: KelliKolors.com

About the Artist:

Kelli is a probably one of the most imaginative professionals we've had the pleasure of working with. She is a dedicated artist whose top priority is the client’s satisfaction. She has been described as "The Truth" in makeup artistry by her peers and certainly has the skills to prove it. Please visit her site for more of her work or click HERE to contact her.

July Featured Photographer - Lawrence Brown of BLOPHOTO

Photographer: Lawrence Brown

Company: BLOPHOTO

Site Links: BLOPHOTO.com

About the Photographer:

Lawrence is a freelance photographer here in Chicago producing visually stunning imagery for the masses. Capable of shooting in any genre Lawrence admits an affinity for "capturing the beautiful side of portraiture." He has been hailed as one of Chicago's best photographers by his clients and consitently produces some of the hottest visual concepts you will ever see. For more information on this visual dynamo please visit him using the link above or contact him at blophoto@blophoto.com.

Welcome to TRIBE! Official

How goes it!

I just want to say thank you for paying a visit to TRIBE!™ Official. You can expect features of fashion and modeling professionals, product and service reviews and my own personal two cents about the industry every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you read about it here consider it OFFICIAL!!!

Additionally, if you have a product or service you want to get the word out about and it's fashion/modeling related send an email to info@whosinyourrs.net with FEATURE ME! in the subject line and you just might see it here!

Thanks again for stopping by and be sure to visit our parent site at http://www.whosinyours.net/!