Laia

My mom took this photo of me years ago.   She was a paid photographer when she was a teenager and learned how to develop B+W pictures, too.  This is at the Minnesota Zoo, with just natural light. The scanned photo is untouched, so you might see some imperfections.   I included this picture because I think it is important to see how I looked naturally, when I was young.   



Namasté!   Remember your joyful inner child. 

I've included some candid shots in my portfolio so you get an idea of how I look sans all the fanfare, and pix of what I looked like when I was younger.

I wear a 0-2 size dress, skirt, pant.   I am 5'6.5" tall (same height as Kate Moss).  I keep myself in shape by exercising every single day.  I am toned.  I eat the best natural and organic foods possible.  My teeth have no fillings in them at all, and are straight.  I have no need for eyeglasses or contacts (I wear them to change my look, that's all).  My hair is naturally wavy, curly, and will even form natural ringlets without any curling iron.  I can style my hair wet and let it dry to produce various curled looks.  My hair also easily straightens and stays straight. 
One of my first modeling gigs was with an international hair company and they dyed and straightened my hair and it was straight (and shiny) as a stick in no time.  I can also make my hair as full as can be easily without any extensions.  So, imagine what it would like with extensions. 

I have pictures of me with my hair in different colors to show range in look.  My natural hair is a light to medium brown with highlights.

I am looking to work with great photographers/MUAs/ stylists/designers who already know how to produce GREAT agency-type or iconic images in these areas:

~ B e a u t y 
~  E d i t o r i a l
~ R u n w a y
~  F a s h i o n 
~  C o m m e r c i a l 
~ Actor Headshots 
~ Comp/Zed Cards
~ Artistic
~ Glamour (only the non-pornographic kind)

I'm here on MM to network with people who do the kind of work I/we want to do, have a vision and understand the work of some of the most famous photographers around the world.   I want something awesome, exciting and fresh to add to our portfolios.    We need to talk about ideas before getting together.

While on the road I usually only have time for my pro dance comps (often with students along) but I am trying to open my schedule for a shoot here and there.  My pro dance/business partner and great friend does not come with me on shoots.  If you have a male model you would like me to work with, I would be more than happy to pose with that model for shoots involving fashion, editorial, beauty, commercial and dance work.   






I would like to make it perfectly clear that I have worked with some photographers who do some work with certain models that I will never do.  That said, I am not here to judge anyone who works in a medium I don't care to work in.  It all depends on the quality of the work done for me. 

I am looking to go beyond what I have here on MM and will not work with anyone unless they can do better work than what I have here.  Otherwise, I will never grow as a model and it is a waste of time for me.  So, if you have nothing in your port to show me you can do that for me, we will probably not work together because it would be pointless. 




That is the real color of my lips.  I am not wearing any makeup in the above photo.  When I used to compete with tennis, I would tan very easily.  My freckles have kind of disappeared now that I stay out of the sun, and my skin gets pretty white.  I usually wear the lightest foundation or next to the lightest foundation there is, and then a blush.  I have two beauty marks on my right cheek, a dimple in my chin and smile dimples in my cheeks.  My lashes are very long even though it might be hard to see that. 


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Please send an email with the following:

~~Your full name and company (web & offline address)
~~Your contact info (land line & cell phone - best times to call), professional references 
~~Viewable portfolio (online, including all high quality fashion/editorial/commercial work & tear sheets)
~~Description/examples of any project you have in mind
~~Links to who you want to work with (MUAs, Wardrobe Stylists, etc.). 

I need to see all work of people involved in any shoot first before scheduling or agreeing to anything. 

 

***If anyone wants $$$ for your services, I have no problem with that at all.  However, please let me know all your rates in advance before any shoot is set up.***  If your rates vary, that's OK.  I still have a right to know them because if you want my money, I need to compare your rates in advance to others.   I am a professional ballroom dance instructor and I do not keep secret what I charge from potential students.  They have a right to compare my prices to others.

Thank you.

 

I also barter.

 
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I'm just like you:  feedback is always appreciated! 

 

I am an actress, singer, dancer (since very young, after studying different styles) and I make my living competing and teaching as a pro ballroom dancer.  I also make money as a model (thru agency and freelance work), an actress and a singer.  I stay very fit and exercise daily.  I play tennis and am adept at sports (I have three brothers, so it's easy for me).   I do not wear glasses, and only use contact lenses for affect.   I have no allergies and love animals.




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I do take care of my health, so please understand if I refuse any food you offer me.   I'm proud to say I'm into health and wellness.

If you have spring water I'll bring my herbal teas.  If you have any natural or organic food stores nearby (food co-ops, Whole Foods), I'd love to know about it in advance!

 

I know how to do my own makeup very well as I have lots of practice for my work, and always bring some with me.  I have used fake eyelashes many times now but because my natural lashes are very long, I only do it for work (and shoots). 

I've worked hair shows before, done runway and had my hair cut, dyed, curled, teased, fussed with, etc.  Again, I just want to remind anyone that my hair is really easy to style, straighten or curl.  It is long now (again). 

However, unless I get a paid tear sheet in a worthwhile, well-known publication or online site that is respected and completely awesome, I will not cut or dye it.  I have no interest in dying and cutting my hair for local runway shows.   I've been there, done that.  I love the way my hair looks (healthy, shiny, undamaged) and if I change it it will be for a very special reason.

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I also have some wigs, jewelry, and lots of props.  If you want something really dramatic, let me know in advance.  I'll bring whatever I can.

I will always have a chaperone until I know you very, very well.   I will not put myself at risk for any photo.  Christin, who is also my personal assistant/business manager, is very helpful and has held many reflectors, etc.  If you're lucky she will massage your tired neck, shoulders, back and arms.  She is an incredible holistic massage therapist and has a portable massage chair, table and years of experience.  She has experience holding reflectors, checking hair, makeup, wardrobe and ironing/touching up clothes, whenever needed.  Otherwise, she is happy to read.






>>>>   I do not share my stuff with other models (only with my brother) and I do not expect strangers to share with me.  Wigs, hats, clothing and eye makeup can easily become contaminated, damaged, stolen or lost.

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I'm the pickle in the middle, and the child on my left is my youngest brother, who is 6'1" now.  My mom used to carry her camera with her everywhere back then.  We had been playing in the creek and were pretty dirty.  You can still see the dirt on my brother's face, and my chin.

I have experience as a paid model and actress, with print, television, indie film, runway, trade show, and promotional work at the local, regional, national and international levels. 

I have studied various forms of dance for many years.  I also practice hatha yoga.  I am an experienced ballroom dance competitor, choreographer and instructor.  I travel quite a bit. 


I also sing (since very young), and have recorded.  I am currently working on my original music.

- The outift I'm wearing is from a local fashion designer who won on Bravo's "Project Runway" in 2006.

I have worked with local and regional modeling agencies and continue to work freelance.  I will travel to any gig that is affordable and offers me money, tear sheets and/or gain worthwhile exposure, on or offline.  I want to make $$$ and I want everyone involved with me to make $$$, too.

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www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/10/16/69404
  A candid front page news shot from a runway show I did.   Look at how pale we are, and that's just October.  That's how white my skin really is because, as you can see, no fancy stuff.  Even though I can tan easily, my real skin color is pretty pale.  I usually wear the lightest or second to the lightest foundation there is.









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Full resume available for professionals.

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Thank you again for all the wonderful feedback, publicly and privately.   
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I am very grateful to all the very talented people I have worked with.