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Maia Cabral | VIP Member | Verified Credits (20)

Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?

I am originally from Chaco, Argentina. I am based in Manhattan, New York, and Miami Beach, FL. I do travel for photoshoots in Boston, MA, Washington DC, Connecticut, and Miami.

Who or what inspired you to become a model?

What really inspired me to become a model was my family and friends. They used to tell me that I look like a model and that I should model.
I always wanted to be a model since a was five years old, and still remember posing in front of the mirror with my father’s shirt thinking, “I could model.” Then, growing up, I was fascinated by runway shows and fashion magazines. That’s when I knew what I wanted to do in life. Modeling and posing came naturally to me, I never took a class or practiced before starting my career.

How and when did you start modeling?

There was a charity show back in my small town in Argentina when I was 16-years old. It was a swimwear and wedding dress show, where I had the amazing opportunity to walk the runway for the first time. I remember seeing my mom backstage making sure I was ok, and then while walking the runway seeing all my family and friends made me feel so special and grateful for their support of me and my modeling career that was just starting.

A few years passed and I moved to Buenos Aires when I signed with a boutique agency and did lots of runway shows, and got paid! That’s when I started working at a professional level. I also went to the university for a few years to study fashion, while still doing shows, and then I started to shoot with photographers. My friend, Rick, introduced me to ModelMayhem and my freelance modeling career took off from there. I traveled to new cities and countries, signed with a few model agencies, and always kept shooting with photographers and brands from MM. I’ve been using Model Mayhem since 2016 and it has been a great experience so far, so, thank you MM!

What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?

I can say that I enjoy all the modeling styles I do, but the most fun for me is 1-on-1 photoshoots. It creates a space of intimacy between the model and the photographer that you can clearly see in the final picture. Runway shows are fun as well, I get to see models, photographers, stylists, and makeup artists again, even though they are the same people but the adrenaline and venue most of the time is different and that makes it exciting, with everybody rushing and doing their very best under pressure. It always amazes me to see how everything comes together and in place at the right time in the end.

What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?

For me, communication is key, that’s where you can see how professional the shoot will be. I value good communication before and after all my shoots. That is something that will keep me working again and again with the same photographer, or not. It’s very important that the photographer has a website or a blog where I can see his/her work so that I can make sure they’re serious about the shoot. If it’s an amateur photographer that doesn’t have a website it’s OK, but, that has to be very clear in the email when contacting me. At this point in my career, I can tell immediately when someone is serious or not. That is something you get with experience. I always make sure the studio or location shoot is in a safe environment, and if the photographer has credits or reviews, and Google helps too.

Which models or other artists currently inspire you?

I honestly don’t have a clear picture of who inspires me other than myself most of the time. I do lots of different modeling styles and not many models do it this way. For example, I do fashion, runway, commercial, lingerie, swimwear, artistic, fine art, and parts modeling. It gets boring if I focus only on one style. I like being creative and never compare myself to others or copy them, that’s why I don’t have other models that inspire me. Most of the time I do my own styling and outfits for photoshoots. I handmake my own props and clothes for shoots if needed, especially when I help photographers build their portfolios. I like meditation and learning about spirituality, and I am vegan, so I am all about peace and love. I wouldn’t pose with a snake or wear leather clothes. I care about my image and the message behind it.

What would be your dream shoot?

My dream shoot would be jewelry, swimwear, and fashion campaigns. I also want to be published in art books and art galleries all around the world. Now, talking about a specific shoot… amazing warm weather, in a fancy beach house, with a great photographer, comfortable clothes or no clothes at all, fun hair and makeup team, healthy and fresh food on set, and no more than three hours to shoot. That would be a dream shoot!

How important is social media in your success?

Social media is important but not very important in my career. I have my own website. I try to keep my social profiles up to date but I don’t get obsessed about it anymore. I feel like it can get a little toxic sometimes and I need to have a clear mind. I am all about healthy habits and social media sometimes gives me anxiety.

What else do you like to do outside of modeling?

I have my own photography studio in Manhattan with lots of photography gear in my apartment where I shoot all the time with photographers. I am a fashion and graphic designer. I have my own reversible swimwear line. I like helping and inspiring others to do and be better, and I donate part of my income to kids in need in my small town in Argentina. Eventually, I would like to be a housewife too.

What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?

I would say to young models that you should do what you want in life, educate yourself about the industry before you go full time because it’s not easy and you don’t get to work every day. You need to have the right mindset all the time. Look like a model all the time, get your model walk, get used to last-minute calls or cancelations, traveling, eating super healthy, sleeping well, taking care of your skin, long hours waiting at castings or fittings, etc. Keep your nails nude color all the time, and always have a model bag ready (with a black bikini, heels, book or iPad, tight jeans/black pants and shirt where they can see your body, water, and snacks). There are so many other things, but most importantly, try to sign with a legit agency and be very careful when traveling. Don’t say yes to everything! Check websites and make sure they are who they say they are. Good communication is essential. Learn to say no and know your worth as a model and as a person, we all can provide value to others in many different ways. Be respectful and act professionally. Never stop dreaming.

Check out Maia Cabral’s Model Mayhem portfolio to see more of her work. You can also follow Maia on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and her website.