ManaHi fabulous goddess friend. Today I am so excited to share with you 6 important things I learned as a model including my personal modeling story and conversations I had with modeling friends. Are you excited to know what it is all about? Let’s dive in!
My modeling story
I always loved fashion and beauty since I was very young and passionate about designing and creating something by myself. I used to read lots of fashion magazines including VOGUE and ELLE when I was a teen.
One day I turned on the TV and there was a Milan collection fashion show. As I watched that show on TV, it was a profound moment that changed my life. I said ‘Wow, it is so beautiful. I decided I would become a model when I grow up.’ I also had a passion for becoming a fashion designer but I thought starting to model at a younger age had benefits and so I decided to be a model first instead of a designer. I finally started modeling in Tokyo for the first time, I signed up with an international modeling agency because I wanted to be a model who works worldwide.
Later I got a chance to go to Korea and Hong Kong and start my modeling career internationally. In Hong Kong, I stayed for almost a total of 10 months and it was one of the cities where many international models gathered, I had chances to make many model friends there.
Do not take it personally
One day I hung out with one of my new model friends from Canada. She had a few years of experience and for me, it was my first time working as a model internationally. I had a quite long time to wait and get a job after a few casting and I was asking her how to get the work and she gave me great examples and advice.
Always ask advice from those who are already in the place you want to be.
She said, being a model is like ice cream. Some people like vanilla flavor and some people like strawberry flavor. It doesn’t mean some flavor is wrong or bad. It is just all personal preferences and tastes. Some people choose and eat cookies and creams and sometimes try new flavors like chocolate and nuts. Some people pick vanilla forever. Don’t take it personally. We are all amazing in the perfect way. Just keep being the best version of yourself. Keep taking care of your health, beauty, and energy as a model. She meant that we models are ice cream and clients (such as designers, photographers, and casting directors) are who choose the ice cream.
When I came to Hong Kong for the first time, there were not so many castings and jobs so I thought it was a difficult market however after hearing her advice from her experience, I decided to keep taking care of myself and keep showing up as she also told me first time sometimes take time. As a miracle happened, I was able to get my first big job a few days later. You can see my first big commercial job from here.
Keep showing up no matter what
When I did not have the castings for the early time, I took advantage of my free time to meet new people as much as possible and asked for new photographers friend and makeup artist friends if they wanted to collaborate on test shooting with me. (FYI, Test shooting is when a model, a photographer, a hair and make-up artist, and a stylist gather together and create beautiful artwork create together for fun, new visuals that we want to try and can put into our portfolio and book.)
As a fresh model, building own portfolio is so important to book more modeling jobs. And so I always love to look for photographers and if they are interesting, I always love to talk to them by myself and I had an amazing time with them and was able to practice and it led to booking more jobs. Regardless of the circumstance, take advantage of it, if you keep showing up, you will find the way.
I did not wait for someone to talk to me when it came to my test shooting especially and what I know to be true is that as you can practice keeping showing up no matter what, you can also master to able to handle rejection (It is actually part of the process and universe is always guiding you for the best self :)) and you will be so proud of yourself when you finally had something that matches your vision, value and style. If I kept waiting as a model, I wouldn’t had amazing photos for test shooting. If you would like to, you can check out one of the amazing collaboration photos from here. It is the first photo you will see.
Never compare with others.
In the modeling world, with the increasing of social media platforms, it is so easy to compare each other. Such as like models go to the same castings and if we see our Instagram each other, it is so easy to find out who got the job! But think about it, our vision, our purpose, our values, our style, and our favorite things to do, are different. There is no meaning to compare with other people on this planet.
If you are the type of person who easily compares with yourself and others, I really can advise you to only compare with yourself from the past and future. Comparison with others has no upside to be honest because our missions are different. You can see other people just for more inspiration or aspiration. This mindset will set you free and it is so crucial to do for the sake of your health.
Always follow your heart and keep believing in yourself.
There are many options that you can try and experience in this world with this massive digital era as well. But first things first, always follow your heart. In my personal experiences as a model, there were a few times that I followed my head instead of heart and ended up the result with not working out as I wanted it to be.
We have the great intuitions and our own north star that guides us for us to live the best life we are designed to live. Of course, as I talked about there is no right or wrong decision in this article, it is just the result you love or the lesson to learn more about yourself however when it comes to things you want to try, just try no matter what other people say how it is going to be.
Whenever we follow our hearts and intuitions, magic happens. I also have another example as a model. After Hong Kong, I wanted to go to Singapore to try a new market as a model. Some experienced models told me that it might not be the right market for me, however, I kept following my heart and believing it, and I proved myself right. It was one of the markets I really enjoyed and had a great time. And I am so sure that it is a universal law.
Whenever you have big dreams that you want to achieve, many people are going to stop you (They are just not exposed to the possibilities yet) or say something about you. Keep believing in yourself no matter what is so important to make your biggest dreams come true. Our dreams are given because it is the perfect way to be the best and the most beautiful version of us. How exciting!
If you really want something, you have to experience it by yourself. You will never know how your life will be super magnificent, magical, and miraculous if you keep following your heart and keep showing up no matter what other people say to you.
Never give up. Let’s go.
It is said that rejection is god’s protection. Even if you keep believing it and take action, there are a few moments when you see the obstacle in front of you. However, it is the universal law again that I learned as a model.
Sometimes it is just a bit of lack of preparation or not just the right timing. However, it is always working out so perfectly for the highest self. It is always working out as a perfect process, timing, and order. Think about it, for example, if I did not feel or experience any downside of a modeling job, I would not be exposed to the personal development world and would not be here to share my experiences and timeless wisdom with my people. Every obstacle (It first seems like but actually it is a gem!) is on the way here for us to grow and to be the best version of ourselves.
Cherish your vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
Napoleon Hill
If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way.
Jim Rohn
Enjoy the moment and keep your energy high.
As a model, we work with many people as a team and every time are different teams, locations, and works (It is one of my favorite parts!). It is so important to show up with high energy to make other people easy to work with and excited to see you.
Some models tend to be a little bit snob as we are exposed to bigger and higher works. However, we create the work as a team and every person in the room is so important.
It is always great to treat others beautifully and gracefully.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Also surprisingly, the camera can catch the energy and it will shown in the photos. Every opportunity is so precious and the greatest gift. Keep the energy high and enjoy every moment of them.
Conclusion
You can apply all of the mindset that I introduced to you even though your profession is not a model or if you are a model, it is perfect as well.
So here are 6 things that you can apply in your life.
- Do not take it personally. Only you need to focus on is to become the best version of yourself so that you can not impact yourself but also other people around you to be the best.
- Keep showing up no matter what. Think about the best-case scenario and take massive actions toward your dreams.
- Never compare with others. You can compare your progress with your past self and be inspired by your future self.
- Always follow your heart and keep believing in yourself. If you are wanting to do something for a long time, just do it. Beautiful doors are going to be open for you for greater possibilities in your life. Sometimes our intuition keeps telling us who we need to be like how I became plant-based.
- Never give up and keep going. Everything is working out so perfectly for you for perfect reasons and be the woman who you came here to be.
- Enjoy the moment and keep your energy high. Because in the end, life is too short and life is a precious gift. Enjoy more.
Keep your mind fixed on what you want in life: not on what you don’t want.
Napoleon Hill
What was your biggest takeaway from this article?
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I cannot wait to hear from you.
Thank you! xo
P.S. And of course, if you are interested in collaboration, I am so excited to hear from you as well.
