So, this isn't really in terms of my crafting, because I do all sorts of things 'round these here parts ( :-P ), both for me and for others. This is in terms of me in real life, as well as when I act as model or makeup artist (I work quite a bit with those who work with cameras).

Before I went to school to be a MUA (makeup artist), I was GREAT with makeup. Sure, it wasn't the most technically correct all the time, but I wasn't afraid to step outside the box and try something crazy. This includes when I was making-up (lol) myself. Now, however, I tend to use the "correct" way, because it's the easy way--but alas! It is also BO-R-I-N-G, and I do it every day with the same colors and am sick of it!

I think what's even worse is my modeling. I am sooo tired of being "pretty" in all my shots. I want something new and edgy! This is a link to my online portfolio:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/719735/viewall

Sure, there are some stellar photos in there, but do you see why I feel so pigeon-holed? In fact, it's gotten so extreme that it's bothering me in my "real" life. For the past week or so, I've felt the urge to do something completely irresponsible, ie: donning "'ho" makeup and ending up face-down in a gutter somewhere with booze, OR getting something pierced by someone who doesn't know what he's doing (hey, I did it once before), OR dying my hair purple, OR.... you get where I'm going with this.

I'm so pigeon-holed that I don't even know WHAT to do differently, or HOW to do it after I decide what I want to do. Does that make sense?

Maybe I'm just going through a quarter-life crisis... but in any case, what do you all think?

Specific ideas, as well as random inspiration and other bits and pieces, are more than welcome. :)

Hopefully someone is still reading after such a long and incoherent rant. xD

I really can't help with the modeling part, your pictures are very nice, but is sounds like you want a change, which isn't a bad thing. I think everyone wants to do changes to themselves at one point or another in their lives.

Why not play with little changes to yourself like getting something pierce (safely) or pay with the color of your hair. You could even use wash out dyes. Maybe even cutting your hair will give you the change you are looking for. Another idea is that maybe you could dress up more edgier and get some pictures done to your portfolio.

Yeah--I'm unable to color or cut my hair; my agency would FREAK! I really want to BE edgier; right now I feel pretty boring. ;-D

I did get my belly button pierced the last time I had such a weird personality change. (A cute boy did it in college... it was his first belly button... but at least he'd done other piercings before, lol!)

I don't have a lot of money to create a new wardrobe, and I'm bored with what I have. I want a new style--again, something edgy, but "grown-up," you know?

I'm going to have my mom send some of my old, dead pointe shoes so I can gem/stud them for use on-set. I need ideas besides that, though.

I'd love to see some inspiring photos that are different and new to me, but still seem like "me." The bf has said I should go to DeviantArt. :-P

I used to model, and I got the sweet cute vibe alot.

first use more expression in your eyes, show anger, angst(kinda like a squint) narrow the eyes
stare down at the camera

don't put the chest out, try concave (c shape)

pratice infront of the mirror, try new angles

get the bf to take shots

Wow, my hair's irresponsible, you'd get on with my mother=/

Seriously, if you can't change your appearance because of your agency, maybe you should look for another agency, one that will allow you more freedom. Otherwise, your just gonna have to wear "edgy" stuff outside of modelling and put up with doing the same kinds of shoots over and over.

Since you are unable to cut or dye your hair, why not buy a wig or two to play around with. I love your pictures btw!!

I think you should try to do crazy new make up!Why not try a bright yellow eye lid that pops OR you can do a totally nude lip (void of all colour) and a dark eye.

I like these photos... maybe they will inspire you:

http://www.imageandstylenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/crazy-eye-makeup.jpg

http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/385942-824-33.jpg

http://lalaroux.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/smeared-eye-make-up-1.jpg

http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/eighties-eyes-high-drama-makeup-hits-the-runways.jpeg

you could even do something crazy with your lips:

http://www.hey-dollface.com/images/Spl94653_001%5B1%5D.jpg

I would also try to do a faux bob hairsyle or do an updo with a lot of volume.

Why not do some life modelling? You get great pictures, something a bit more daring and it's incredibly relaxing. I just used to read a book, go to sleep or do my shopping list.

Definitely get some wigs though, you have great hair and it would be a shame to cut it but wigs give you so much freedom.

Apply to some fetish sites maybe? Do some latex work? Nothing trashy but something like this?

http://www.atsukokudo.com/shop-page.php?page=Latex-Rubber-Halter-Neck-Ball-Gown

Hope this helps xx

I know how you feel. I have a DA that I've posted my modeling shots in the past and I feel so much like "another pretty face" But I'm freelance so I have the freedom of changing up my look however many times I like and I love using wigs in my shoots. However, the sad part with being an agency model is that you have to project the image that they want you to project. I think the photo of you in the red tube dress with the curly hair is pretty edgy though. You look like you stepped right out Drew Barrymore's Poison Ivy movie in that shot. All the others you tend to look like the typical girl next door.

I suggest you hire a photographer to take some new photos for you away from your agency. Sleek back your hair. Make sure the photographer is really good with lighting. Playing with the lighting in your shoots more will edge it up. Stop sticking your chest out in your photos and look the camera straight on in all of your photos. Have you noticed over 90% of your pictures are profile? Not good. Smoke up your eyes so they are very dark and go monochromatic with the rest of your face and clothing. I like the photo of you with the nude lips but the light behind you drives me crazy. Not your fault- whoever set up the shoot didn’t do a good job of it. And relax in your photos. You’re way too tense and it comes across as a pose rather than a fluid movement captured. The top 3 photos on your portfolio are slightly more relaxed and you can see the difference. You just need to relax a little more than that. I think you’re completely capable of being a more edgy model; you’ve got a great face for make-up. It just takes practice.

I hope that helps. Good luck with it :D

If it's a question of style, you can totally reinvent that on a budget. I LOVE going through thrift stores and goodwill, you can find amazing things to work with for really cheap. And since you can't do much in terms of coloring or cutting your hair, what about experimenting with new updo's and styling techniques? If you work around that you could develop makeup looks to go with your hair. My hair is crazy long and boring and by doing that It really does make a difference in the way I feel and look, and with your modeling think outside the box with photos and poses, don't be afraid to get crazy body language translates into photography really well so you maybe challenge yourself to loosen up or get a little crazy.

great shots by the way! :D

Halloween is coming up.
Blood...guts...gore ._O!
(You have no idea how excited I am lol I get to do horror makeup for a movie for a little film festival at school...AHHHHHHH ♥_♥)

You know I don't know that much about the makeup world and agencies yet o^_^o
But maybe something a little on the darker side? Sharp contouring, dark eyes, even darker lips, a snarl here and there?

Or maybe even makeup masks?
Didn't you once tell me about a pop art bit you did on someone else?
Call me selfish, but I'd just love to see that :P

LOL!!!! The top 3 photos in my port--I was 2 or 3 vodka+red bulls into that shoot. ;) That was a great shoot for many reasons, some of which were the professionalism+the exposure it gained me+their coolness with having a little alchy on the job. :-P

I agree with Pink. Try looking at the camera, no profile

Thanks, everyone; you've been helping immensely.

I'm not sure about thrift shops here; they are actually usually pretty expensive--the one down the street is charging the equivalent of $45 for an old, out-of-style dress! I don't see how they stay in business.....

I knew I could get a lot of different perspectives by coming here. :)

Also, I'm not sure how life drawing works around here, though I know how it works in the USA. Maybe I'll give it a shot? :)

Thanks for the ideas, and please feel free to keep them coming. :-D

xoxo

This is for those of you who keep talking about a non-profile shot:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31194950&l=2074060045&id=69501440

I call it my SuperGirl photo. :-P

I like that photo. I think the only thing that would have made it better would have been if your eyes were locked onto the camera rather than looking up. One of my tricks of the trade is to always have my eyes follow the camera.

I'm with the wig people!

My job forbids 'out there' hair (although they forgive me cherry red... one of the senior staff took me aside, I thought she was going to tell me off, but she just said 'cool hair' PHEW! Just the right side of pillar box). I love wigs and extensions for changing look (I have white blonde and black clip ins and a false pony that goes down to the back of my knees).

As for make up- I know what you mean! I did stage make-up and from then on thought everything bright looked too stage-y (like 'Look at me! I wanna be a STAAAR!'). To wean myself back on I tend to use a colour theme if I want to spice things up - for example GOSH do a range of brightly coloured eyeliners- matching them to a bright top with nude lips is daytime but also edgy, or reverse it and have neutral eyes and very dark lips. I also love palettes with different finishes (I think Gurlean (sp?) do one) - so my plain day-to-day lippy (Urban Decay Jailbait) can be glossy, velvet, matte, dark, light... etc'...or get a kids glitter gloss and slick it over your eye or lip makeup. :)

I know what you are talking about,I always get these "make over fazes" when I get bored of my look and change some things.Its always something-my hair,my make-up,my piercings...
I thinks its much easier if you go slow.By picking something smaller and changing that first (like maybe your every day make up)and then moving up step by step.And for your dressing stile it always helps to add small changes too first,maybe wear different kind of jewelry or more jewelry.

Maybe Im not the right person for this advice,I can change my entire look in one "OK make over time" night. :) I lay in bed in 5 in the morning,sleepless,jump out and sit in front of my mirror to cut or color my hair. :) But I always go with my feelings and with what I like (never what others) and on the end it always comes out just the way I planned. :) So maybe the agency is holding you back from expressing yourself and feeling the way you want about yourself.

Just an example of how small changes can make you feel all better.I got bored with myself,so now I color my eyebrows pink when we go out. :) And its a small change,because its only pink and white eyeliner so I can always wash it off,but I still feel awesome. :) I hope this makes sense and that you find a way to feel great.Oh,and I love your pictures! :) -hugs-

Hmmm I get where you're at, I kind of feel the same, though I don't have the restrictions you do. I feel that it's mostly my clothing and make-up that makes me boring. I'm going to dye my hair red tonight so that's not a problem

There may be a way of updating your wardobe without having to spend money, perhaps like just basic cutting and sewing to change the layout of tops and stuff.

Like: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/cut_tshirt
or maybe take a normal t-shirt and cut some off the top so it's got slanty shoulder bits... etc etc

As with the make-up I wish I could help you there, but I know nothing about make-up and do what you do, stick to boring shades and colours. I've only just started using shades of the same colour and blending. Before I just used to whack on block colours...

P.S: I was referring to eye shadow and stuff.

P.P.S: Sugarpill seems to have a few exceiting tutoials on here

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/users/43563

Although you can't cut or colour your hair, maybe wearing it differently on different days can spice things up a bit...

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/twisted_fohawk
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/french_twist
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/french-braid-up-do
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/rosette-buns

etc etc...

I think what ACTUALLY needs to happen is you all abducting me and doing what you will. :-P

HAHAHAHAHA I will gladly abduct you my darling :D

At this point, I really wish we had a "like" button. ;)

me too! I would love to shoot you! I love working with models

remember look at the camera more!

Michelle--when I come back to Michigan (in like, a year), I'll let you know. Maybe we can meet halfway? I forget how close you are to MI compared to other northern U.S. states. (I'd love to go all the way into Canada, but it would be really hard for visas at this point, considering I have to buy a special Israeli visa just to go to ONE country at this point... :( )

Though there is a lot of cool ideas throw in ( I didn't read them all ^_^; ) The wig idea sounds like a good one. Since you are with an angency you can't permently change your hair/face pericings. Another good idea, since you know how to do make up. Play with different features likey your lips or eyebrows.

Like right now I have blunt bangs and glasses, so I don't wear eyeshadow I just play up my cheecks and lips.

p.s Canada is awesome you should go.

I live in Atlantic Canada, Canada like the States is a huge country

When Michelle firstly said shoot, I took it compleatly out of context and thought literally!! LOL how dumb am I!!

Yeah there are great make-up tutorials here and on youtube and probably on other websites as well so just take a look and reintroduce yourself with the colours and just mess about.

I'm no make-up artist but if I didn't piss about with my eyeliner the other day I wouldn't have drawn a hedgehog on my cheek LOL!!

I dont know what ur style is now...but if its somewhat girlier, like your pics.
Try wearing more studs (on shoes/jackets/bracelets/necklaces anything), Black or leather girl jackets (you can even wear them over pretty dresses), fishnets or ripped leggings/hosery, or wear all black with 1 pop of color (in shoes/shirt/ whatever). Or little clothes (like not a lot) and lots of statement jewelry (like long necklaces, & lots bracelets).

I usually wear all that at once (since im like a weird grunge/goth/punk mixture) lol, but just wear one at a time with something pretty. To make a contrast. Its nice & simple. You can probably make most of these from tuts on here.

As for your hair...hmm. Try a mohawk (if ur daring ;)) or just a faux-hawk (like pulling ur hair back on the sides, & pumping it up in the middle a lil). :/
Or if u DO want a peircing, try one in a weird simple place, like just the top of ur ear, inside ur ear (theres many places in the ear), or ur tongue. Those are all hideable (along with more "private" ones lol. Thats all i can come up with now. Hope it helps.