Freelance Models

a site dedicated to and run by freelance models: interviews, updates, photos, and more.

[freelancemodels]

Anastassia Bear for FreelanceModels

Anastassia Bear is a full-time professional freelance model based out of Austin, TX. She was a breeze to work with and was daring enough to shoot lingerie on a public roof-top. I had a blast talking with her about life, modeling, and of course, dessert.

FREELANCE MODELS: What is your favorite dessert? ANASTASSIA BEAR: I like cheesecake. Cheesecake is definitely my favorite. I’m a big dairy person. FM: If you were reincarnated as an animal which would you want to be? ANASTASSIA: I’d probably want to be a dog over anything, just because I love running around and being stupid and happy and I’m really into connecting with people. If I got cuddles all the time as a puppy I’d be really into that. FM: What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of modeling? ANASTASSIA: I do a lot of cosplay. It kind of ties into the modeling because I do cosplay modeling too. I actually spend a lot of my free time sewing and making costumes from scratch. I really just got into using a sewing machine but I love it. FM: How is modeling for cosplay different than shooting other genres? ANASTASSIA: It is really really different in the aspect that you need to really know the character and be able to portray their personality. You can’t just go do your posing like you normally would and look pretty. You have to think “Okay, I’m Rogue from X-men so I’m going to be more reserved, wear my hair a certain way, and I’m going to position a body a certain way because her personality is different from mine.” So you have to have that mentality, which you do in modeling too but in modeling you get told to portray a certain emotion but for cosplay you have to portray another person. It’s fun! FM: Who is your favorite character to cosplay? ANASTASSIA: Honestly it is probably Rogue. I love doing her because when I was a kid I was really into X-men. It was on Kids WB and I would watch it when I would wake up in the morning. I also read the comics and Rogue was always someone I could relate to. She was the goth and distant and didn’t really get along with people and I was like “Yeah, that’s me!”

FM: You shoot a ton of different genres, what is your favorite genre to shoot? ANASTASSIA: As long as the person I’m shooting with is passionate about what they’re shooting I can say at the time it's my favorite genre. I like everything. I love my job and as long as the people I'm working with have a positive outlook about what we're shooting I'm all about it! FM: Do you have any favorite people you’ve worked with? ANASTASSIA: I have a ton of photographers I love working with, and they all know who they are! Or, at least, I hope they do! I tend to work with the people I like over and over again when I can. Most of my friends now are either models are photographers or in the industry in some other way. FM: What’s your favorite place to shop for wardrobe? ANASTASSIA: I'm big on thrifting. I have a soft spot for authentic vintage clothing. I also don't like spending a ton of money on things, and I'm big on recycling, so, someone else's trash is my treasure! If I'm not thrifting I'll usually order things online, especially if I'm looking for something specific. FM: Do you have a favorite makeup or beauty tip that you’ve discovered since modeling? ANASTASSIA: Contouring of the eyebrows is extremely important. I didn't realize how important it really was until after modeling. Your eyebrows shape your entire face! You don't want them too thin or too arched (unless you're going for a surprised look in all the photos). Yeah, I never thought about it before modeling, but eyebrows - they're super important. FM: What is your personal style like and how is it similar/different than your styling for shoots? ANASTASSIA: In my personal life I'm extremely laid back. I wear a lot of long loose dresses, pajama pants, and tank tops. I don't usually dress up for anything except dates and I never wear make-up. Model me and real me are polar opposites, I think.

FM: How has modeling affected your body image? ANASTASSIA: I used to have a lot of problems with my self image when I was a teenager. I was obsessed with how I looked and I hated myself wholeheartedly. Modeling has given me self confidence. It gave me the ability to love my own body, whether or not other people do. It used to hurt when people would attack me from over the internet or whatever, but now I just shrug it off. I'm happy with myself, and that's what matters. FM: If you could go back in time and give yourself advice on the day you started modeling, what would you want to tell yourself? ANASTASSIA: Oh, so, so, so, so, many things… I would fix my horrible hair-dos, my bad make-up jobs, I would tell myself that just because you e-mail someone wanting to work with them and they don't respond doesn't mean the world is ending and they hate you… I would tell myself that just because someone doesn't want to shoot you doesn't mean you are a bad model or worth any less. I would tell myself that it's okay if not everyone likes you, it's okay if you aren't one hundred percent perfect as long as you are trying your hardest, because that is all that you can do.

FM: Do you have any advice for photographers who work with models? Any do’s or don’ts? ANASTASSIA: Boundaries are very important. Make sure you know where and what they are. Always make sure you know what is and isn't okay with both parties before you do anything that might negatively affect the models perception of you. Also, be careful what you say when directing models. Don't make it negative. And stop hating rolls and lines so much! They are a natural part of the human body. When we bend and twist we get lines, no matter how big or small we are. You don't need to avoid them. Embrace them. They are a part of the skin we are in. FM: Any upcoming or recent projects you’re excited about? ANASTASSIA: I just recently finished my Galadriel of Lord of the Rings cosplay after months of hard work and over a year of thinking on it. I recently shot a video in a magical looking location that I'm incredibly proud of and hope to shoot stills soon. I've been working really hard on a bunch of new costumes this year but the rest are a secret!

FM: What makes you happy? ANASTASSIA: There are a few simple things that can always warm my heart… The smell of craft stores (that clove kind of smell), the winter, licking the knife after making a peanut and butter jelly sandwich (when it has the perfect amount of both peanut butter and jelly on it), wood fire places, puppies, musicals, poetry, visible veins, the color of wine, and being read to. These are a few of my favorite things.

-Interview by Sierra McKenzie. All photos by Dylan Staley exclusively for FreelanceModels More of Anastassia Bear: Website - Model Mayhem - Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram - Zivity - DeviantArt

[freelancemodels]

"It’s funny. Most girls seem to get a little more self conscious when they start modeling, but for me it was kind of the opposite. I didn’t have great self confidence before I started modeling, and modeling allowed me to see myself in a different light, to see myself through somebody else’s eyes. I learned to be less critical of myself. It helped me really begin to feel good about myself. I’d say it has been a really positive thing for me body-image-wise." -Freshie Juice

Read the full interview here. Photos by Dylan Staley.

[freelancemodels]

"What really bothers me actually are the back-handed compliments. Like 'Oh you’re so good for a plus sized model!' or 'You’re so flexible for being a big girl!' or 'You’re such a good model for not being a size zero!' That’s the stuff that is really distasteful."        -Freshie Juice Read the full interview here. Photo by Dylan Staley.

[freelancemodels]

Freshie Juice for FreelanceModels

Freshie Juice is a stunning full-time professional model based on the east coast. Her work spans from soft and graceful to strong and erotic and delves into other magical nook and crannies in between. I had a chance to interview her as she passed through Seattle this winter. Meeting her she proved to be as intuitive, likable, and fun as her web presence leads you to believe.   

FM: How painful is the bondage? Freshie: It kind of depends on what I’m doing and what the goal is. If the goal is just to show off beautiful rope work, it is usually not very painful, because it is really for your comfort especially because you sit in it longer. But if I’m shooting bondage or fetish videos for a website or content for something, my limit is 30 minutes for any extreme tie. None of them are honestly that painful because producers are always good about communicating with models because they don’t want to hurt anyone. They want the girls to come back! FM: How much do you style your own shoots and what are your favorite places to get wardrobe from? Freshie: I style most of my shoots, probably 90% of them, and every once in a while I get a chance to team up with someone. I love working with Karen Jerzyks because she will actually collaborate heavily on stylings. In terms of favorite places, I like to make a lot of stuff myself. I pick up a lot of cool shit in New York. One of my favorite places to get thigh-highs or stockings or anything like that is Sock Dreams, which is great for curvier girls because I have pretty big thighs and it is hard to find stuff that will actually fit them. I also love Girdle Bound, because I’m a sucker for vintage lingerie. FM: How has modeling affected your body image? Freshie: It’s funny. Most girls seem to get a little more self conscious when they start modeling, but for me it was kind of the opposite. I didn’t have great self confidence before I started modeling, and modeling allowed me to see myself in a different light, to see myself through somebody else’s eyes. I learned to be less critical of myself. It helped me really begin to feel good about myself. I’d say it has been a really positive thing for me body-image-wise.

FM: Is there anyone or any place you draw inspiration from for your modeling? Freshie: My look in general is very classical/renaissance looking. I love classic art and I’m a big fan of Alphonse Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec, so I draw a lot of inspiration from that. I love the soft lines and curves, and the expression. They are really the masters of the thousand yard stare. FM: How much do you travel for work? Freshie: Constantly. Constantly. FM: If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself at the very beginning of your modeling career, what would you want to tell yourself? Freshie: This may be super counter productive, but I’d tell myself that I shouldn’t get into modeling full-time. I love doing it, but a thing that I’ve noticed within the industry and within my own actions is that it is so easy to get sucked into this lifestyle. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to models who have been doing this for 8-10 years, and they’ve all told me the same thing: when they finally decided to quit and they are sitting there trying to write their resumes they don’t have a single thing to write down that would be a legitimate job in the real world, or one that is held on the same level as ringing people up at the grocery store. It is debilitating and terrifying. A lot of girls feel like they have no other choice but to keep doing it. I’ve definitely been sucked into becoming dependent on the life style rather than just enjoying it.

FM: If you could give any advice to photographers who are new to working with photographers, what would you tell them? Freshie: The big thing that I would impart on people who are new is always communicate; over-communicate if you need to. Understand what the model’s limits are. Be specific about what your goals are. I don’t mean send a book-long message or have someone on the phone for four hours, just be concise and explain enough that the model knows what she’s coming to do. Especially when you have two new people working together it can be very confusing, very intimidating to try to speak the same language and be on the same page in order to create something that is really great. Communication! FM: Being above “agency standard” stats, are there any terms you dislike being called? Freshie: I’m pretty indifferent to most stuff. I’m classified as a BBW, and I’m called one a lot, but I don’t actually consider myself one. I don’t think BBW is a dirty word, but I don’t really fit that size requirement. I don’t find people who say “oh she’s such a cute chubby girl” to be very endearing. But it’s just words. What really bothers me actually are the back-handed compliments. Like “Oh you’re so good for a plus sized model!” or “You’re so flexible for being a big girl!” or “You’re such a good model for not being a size zero!” That’s the stuff that is really distasteful. FM: Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you’re excited about? Freshie: I'm looking forward to my very very long Midwest tour coming up in September and to beginning some international travel in the spring!

FM: What makes you happy? Freshie: Hanging out with my kitties and not being on planes or trains or buses for hours. I love getting to shoot and meet new people. I just like getting the opportunity to be in someone else’s energy for a second.

-Interview by Sierra McKenzie. All photos by Dylan Staley exclusively for FreelanceModels More of Freshie Juice: Tumblr - Twitter - Deviant Art - Model Mayhem - Zivity

[freelancemodels]

get ready for the Freshie Juice interview! going live within the hour!

[floofiesworld]

Things I've Learned About Travel

As many of you know, I spend about half my time away from home. This can be exhilarating, but also taxing, frustrating, and lonesome. Here are some tips for models, jet-setters, and new travelers alike. Hope you enjoy!

1. Use the restroom at every available opportunity

Your mom asked you if you had to go EVERY time you left the house, right? Well, turns out she had a point. You never know when you might not have access to a toilet.

2. Always carry emergency food

Granola bars, fruit, carrot sticks. Whatever works! Don’t be caught hungry and rushing, it will only make everything worse.

3. Drink as much water as possible on airplanes

They are extremely dehydrating. As tempting as it may be, try not to drink too much alcohol - you’ll regret it later.

4. Put together a “travel toiletry kit”

Just the essentials here, or more if you have a lot of tiny containers. I like to save small containers from samples so I can put other things in ‘em later. This way, all you have to do is grab your kit and put it in your bag anytime you are traveling.

5. Try to bring as few pairs of shoes as possible

They take up a ton of valuable suitcase real estate. Practical/versatile comes first!!!

6. Check in online before arriving at the airport

Especially if you only have a carry-on. You’ll breeze through the airport while others stand waiting in lines. Yes, you can laugh at them. If you have a checked bag, pay the fee online too. That way you can simply drop it off at the bag drop.

7. FREQUENT FLIER MILES!!

They really, really do work. Use the same airline whenever possible, maybe sign up for their credit card (I love Alaska and Southwest Mileage Plans.) You’ll be surprised at how fast the points rack up.

8. For long flights, invest in a travel pillow and eye mask

and maybe earplugs as well. On international flights, that extra 3 hours of sleep can be priceless.

9. Pick a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible

You’ll get off the plane much more swiftly. Seems obvious, but took me a while to learn. That means book early.

10. Car rentals are cheapest over a weekend or EXACTLY a week

don’t try to book a car for 11 days. You will be sad.

11. Airline fare sales almost always start on Tuesdays. 

if your preferred airline doesn’t announce it, but another does, make sure to check prices on yours because they may be on sale too, just without an announcement.

Last but not least…

12. Make time for fun!

I learned early on that business trips can really exhaust you if you don’t leave a little time for relaxation, fun, and time with friends. You’re in a different place, enjoy it! Where’s the fun in traveling for work if you don’t see the place? :)

[freelancemodels]

"Right now I really like doing the softer erotic stuff. It’s really sexy and pretty but not too graphic. But I also really like shooting artsy, harsh lighting and outdoor stuff. I just like anything pretty, even if it’s graphic as long as it’s really pretty."

Read the whole interview with Jordan Bunniie here.

photo by Jeff Waters

[freelancemodels]

Briauna Mariah by Dylan Staley. Read her interview with FreelanceModels here.

[freshiejuice-deactivated2018013]

WEST COAST TOUR WITH ANASTASSIA BEAR 2014

Bear and I will be traveling together! Weeeee

(Please note Bears hair is currently red.)

Houston (just me) January 17th to 19th

Both of us from:

Austin January 20th and 21st

Dallas January 22nd to 25th

Oklahoma City/Tulsa January 27th and 28th

Kansa City, MO/Wichita January 29th and 30th

Denver January 30th to February 2nd

Reno/Carson City, NV February 4th and 5th

Sacramento February 5th to 7th

San Francisco February 8th to 10th

We are dedicated February 11th and 12th to riding down the coast of California and are available in any cities between San Francisco and Los Angeles on those dates

Los Angeles February 13th to 15th

Phoenix and Tucson, AZ February 16th to 21st

Depending on location we can stop for shoots in and around southern New Mexico

We are available for shoots together and separately. Book us together for a discounted rate.

Offering deals on half day and full day rates.

Contact us now for rates/information and availability

Bear:

http://anastassiabear.tumblr.com/ http://www.modelmayhem.com/1174571 [email protected]

Freshie:

http://freshiejuice.tumblr.com/ http://www.modelmayhem.com/1444257 [email protected]

Photos by http://scottworldwide.tumblr.com/

Reblog to share the love!

[alysha]

New at Urban Outfitters from @funartists & @joshsoskin

[deadwd]

credit to http://lshima.tumblr.com

[lshima]

That would be me :) Tumblr really responded positively to this set!

Happy Holidays ya’ll! xoxo Shima

[freelancemodels]

"Right now I’m reworking my goals. I’m actually trying to change my image: I’m growing my hair out to a bob to be a little more commercial and try to go that direction. Get some lingerie shoots down and I should be good! I’ll be focusing much less on the whole “fame and fortune” aspect and I won’t be worrying about agencies so much."

Briauna Mariah by Dylan Staley. Read her full interview with FreelanceModels here.

[laurenwk-blog]

Before the bangs.

[racheldashae123-deactivated2017]

Schedule! 👍📅✏️ For booking please contact me at [email protected]

[nymphgwendolynjane]

Travel Time!

It’s that time! I’m hitting the road again. This time it’s New Orleans and Texas, baby!

I fly out to the birth place of Jazz on the 7th of January. I’ll be visiting family with my father. He’ll be there for two whole weeks, which is a long time to go without shooting. So I’ll be ducking out every so often to create some fabulous, inspiring, beautiful art with the wonderful photographers in the area.

I’ll be renting a car and driving out to Texas starting sometime on or before the 21st. I plan on seeing Houston, San Antonio, then Fort Worth/Dallas, where I’ll fly back to the bay sometime around the 28th. I am willing to extend my time in Texas: I can either fly back later or leave New Orleans earlier, depending on interest and bookings.

Can’t wait to enjoy some southern hospitality!

[freelancemodels]

"When I first moved to NY, [my agency] told me I would have to lose weight. I came to New York knowing I was going to need to. I exercised like crazy and I ate less than 1200 calories a day. I ended up getting down to the right size. They still thought my “bubble butt” was too big. [My measurements] got down to 23 inch waist and 34 inch hips, but my hips should have been 32 or 33 inches. But my bubble butt isn’t going anywhere. I would have to be completely emaciated to get rid of that." Briauna Mariah by Dylan Staley. Read her full interview with FreelanceModels here.

[freelancemodels]

Briauna Mariah for FreelanceModels

Briauna Mariah is a full-time professional freelance fashion model based in NYC. I met her at a runway show in Seattle a few years ago at the start of her career. She was quiet, charming, optimistic and you could tell modeling was what she truly wanted to do. Last year she made a big move to NYC, but I was able to catch up with her when she was home in Seattle for the holidays. We talked agencies, clothes, body image, and goals.

FREELANCE MODELS: What is your favorite midnight snack?

BRIAUNA: Chocolate!

FM: If you were cursed to be any animal what would you be?

Briauna: I would be a mermaid or a dolphin if that doesn’t count.

FM: How did you get into modeling?

Briauna: I fell into it through a friend of my mom’s, who had been with an agency. I had no idea what I was doing. The agency told me I had too much baby fat in my cheeks and to come back in six months. I did and they signed me. So that was my first experience with an agency and modeling.

FM: What was it like being signed with that agency?

Briauna: It was exciting at first because I had never been with an agency before and I had no idea what I was doing at all. My first casting was a Nintendo casting for $750. I got super excited. I didn’t know how to dress: I looked awful I’m pretty sure.

FM: So you were signed, but then you made the move to New York City. Was that related to your modeling?

Briauna: Yes. Model Mayhem actually introduced me to the modeling world away from my agency. From there I just got better and better. I took a month get away in Portland to see how I’d do there and live on my own for a while. Then I set the goal to move to New York and get an agency over there.

FM: Did you end up getting with an agency in NYC?

Briauna: I did. It went pretty well at first. Until I learned that they were not paying me. My first shoot I booked was $5000, which was great! 20% off of that was $4000 for me. Over about six months they paid me $3000, but I had made $6000 by that point. So nine months later I decided it wasn’t working for me. There was a moment when they were trying to force me to do a job when I had a plane to catch. So I decided it was too much stress. I wrote out a big long email telling them I wasn’t going to go and I wasn’t going to work for them anymore. Many factors had led up to this breaking point. I ended up taking them to small claims to get my money, which I did end up getting. They told me they didn’t want to see me in the office, but they left me a check with the doorman.

FM: Did you have any other frustrations with agencies?

Briauna: Agencies are stressful. That’s the main thing. They are stressful. They do have some positives: they helped me get started and helped me make connections and get onto my feet. They are kind of scary though. Walking into any agency is scary. I was also pressured to lose weight.

FM: How have agencies and modeling affected your body image?

Briauna: When I first moved to NY they told me I would have to lose weight. I came to New York knowing I was going to need to. I exercised like crazy and I ate less than 1200 calories a day. I ended up getting down to the right size. They still thought my “bubble butt” was too big.

FM: What were your measurements when they were telling you to lose weight?

Briauna: They got down to 23 inch waist and 34 inch hips, but my hips should have been 32 or 33 inches. But my bubble butt isn’t going anywhere. I would have to be completely emaciated to get rid of that.

FM: Do you think it would have been healthy for you to lose more weight?

Briauna: No.

FM: What genres do you typically model?

Briauna: People really like me doing edgy things. I can do commercial, but people don’t tend to go commercial with me. I do eCommerce with designers. And runway. Most of my work is with designers and photographers.

FM: Do you have any favorite designers you’ve worked with so far?

Briauna: Kimmi from Kimmi Designs in Seattle. She’s my favorite.

FM: What’s your favorite genre to model?

Briauna: It would be between runway and editorial. Really edgy stuff.

FM: Do you have any goals for your modeling?

Briauna: Right now I’m reworking my goals. I’m actually trying to change my image: I’m growing my hair out to a bob to be a little more commercial and try to go that direction. Get some lingerie shoots down and I should be good! I’ll be focusing much less on the whole “fame and fortune” aspect and I won’t be worrying about agencies so much.

FM: How long have you been freelance in NY?

Briauna: Since I moved there. I was still working freelance when I was with my agency. They knew I was doing it.

FM: So how much of your work since you started modeling was through your agency vs. work you found yourself freelancing?

Briauna: I’ve been freelancing basically the whole time I’ve been modeling. My Seattle agency got me started but I never really booked any work through them. I did like a hair show. When I moved to NY I was already on Model Mayhem, and I was making a thousand dollars a month in Seattle. I told my agency that I wanted to book shoots around them. I wanted an honest relationship even though they were not honest with me. I got their permission to call them and ask them for each shoot that I booked. They ended up getting frustrated and saying things like “I didn’t know you’d be doing so many of these.”

FM: Was there ever a point where you were signed with an agency that they were sending you enough work that you could have been full-time without finding your own freelance work?

Briauna: I was pretty full time the first three months because it was around fashion week. They were sending me out on castings and I was pretty much on call all the time. I made a good amount of money, especially through that one big job (but they didn’t pay me). So I then I was like “I’ve got to make some money. I need some money. So I’m going to be doing these shoots.” They couldn’t say anything, I needed the money. They weren’t giving me mine!

FM: Where’s your favorite place to go clothes shopping if you are doing any of your own styling?

Briauna: I used to go to Nordstrom and Macy’s and just return the stuff. I actually get most of my clothes for free. What I’m wearing right now, I got from my packrat roommate, and a Macy’s giftcard, haha.

FM: What would you describe your personal style as?

Briauna: Kind of tomboyish. But it’s changed so much that I don’t really know anymore. It just depends on the occasion. I like to be comfortable.

FM: What makes you happy?

Briauna: My boyfriend! And California. He lives in Monterey, I love it there.

Stay tuned for more photos! All photos exclusives for FreelanceModels

More of Briauna: Website - Tumblr - Facebook - Twitter - Model Mayhem

Credits: Photography: Dylan Staley Assistants: Jordan Mollot and Hailie Colson Hair: Randy Evans and Melanie Wade Make-up artist: Cris Pompa Vintage Wardrobe: Mary Lewis, Seattle Children’s Hospital Vintage Dept Special thanks to Salon Circa!