Did you Know? Models are seasonal; brunettes are preferred in the summer
and Blondes in the winter for advertising purposes. I would of figured it to be the other way around, goes to show how complex this career can be.
This is only one of the many insights that I learned during this session...
This aspiring up and coming models’ vibe was not common. This lovely lady is that girl next door with the unbelievable smile walking in wearing
Transformers PJ pants and a Sassy Jersey Girl demeanor.
Kieana Cuomo knew exactly what she wanted and delivered it to the tee. At 23yrs old, Kieana is this cool down to Earth aspiring model with her eye on the prize and a bright future awaiting. Her promising future continues to grow as she preps for her professional portraits with me.
She came to the Richard Rosario Photography studio to help build up her portfolio for her career, being pampered was the added bonus. She came to hear about my services through her sister-in-law; and Make-up Artist Shaina from “Shaina’s Spa and Makeup” boutique on Bruckner Blvd. She sat in her red backstage director's chair as the lead role in her life story and wow, she was in complete control; knowing what she wants and how she wanted it not just in the photoshoot, but in her modeling career as well.
She went on to share some more of the inside scoop of what it takes to be a model.
She touched base on how models in NY tend to forget or not know any better on how the model agencies are there to work for the models and not the other way around. But in LA it's the models that tend to have to work hard for the agencies, so sometimes it is about "Where you're are" and not just "who you know".
The most challenging part for Ms. Ki-Ki-Kieana striving in the modeling career is food, hah, of course, I mean Kieana has both Italian and Puerto Rican blood running through her and growing up with arroz con frijoles and baked ziti is not something easy to cut ties from all together. Believe me this whole conversation reminded me of my previous blog post called "Coquito & Cannoli" Is a must read if you ask me.
Kieana didn't have it any easier than most models do; growing up, her most challenging life experience was her battle with her weight issues even aside from her career choice. She was always insecure about her weight and how it affected her social life but that didn't stop her. She took control of her fear and decided to do something about it, she took on boxing at 16yrs old. When other teen girls were prepping for the next school dance, Kieana was wrapping her knuckles for her next fight. It was the photos to her Sweet 16’s that was the wake up call to give her that push to take back her life and do something about her weight other than cry and complain. The impact a photograph can make the statement you choose to project in your own life and Kieana was making a whole new one with her photoshoot at the Richard Rosario Photography studio and it was fierce and powerful! Even with her heart set on modeling this woman is no fool, she has a backup career to become a registered nurse, but with her badass, take no crap from no one charisma, I wouldn't be surprised if she was a successful Cover Girl Model &all while being a Registered Nurse! Love yourself, love life, and don't forget to….
Be Strong, Be Confident, Be YOU!
_rich
Originally posted on February 25, 2016