5. Reuben Samuel Capra

Reuben is a 23 years old carpenter/bartender/topless waiter who enjoys training and spending time with family and friends. He was initially discovered by one of his friends who also happens to be a model and now his manager. His friend initially saw some photos of him, immediately offered him to do a shoot and the rest you can say is history. He burst onto the modeling scene when he joined a modeling competition at a lounge bar type club a couple of months ago where he ended up winning it.  His main goal at the moment as a model is to model for Calvin Klein someday.

4. Louis Thermos  

Louis started out his modeling career when a bunch of his friends told him that he had a “model look” which prompted him to enroll in a modeling course and now he has been a model ever since. His first experience with modeling is with Tanya Powell agency when he graced the catwalk as a graduate student. He’s currently on the lookout for some modeling gigs and he has yet to be signed by an agent.

3. Ryan David Perez

Ryan is a very laid back and easy going individual – a “simple man” if you will who loves the little things in life. He’s a very family oriented person who initially got into the modeling industry with the urge of his friends and he’s been a model ever since. He’s currently a college student who’s about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.  He plans on staying with his college but still pursuing modeling on the side.

2. Jordan Flentge

Jordan is an 18 years old model who hails from Cave Creek, Arizona USA. His hobbies include working out and modeling and he’s also currently in school studying to be a firefighter. Funnily enough, he was actually discovered whilst he was getting his hair styled. He went to a salon where someone recommended that he pursue modeling and that’s exactly what he did. He wants to become a well known model in the near future and possibly an actor at the same time – He also wants to be a fire fighter as well amidst juggling between his modeling and acting career.

1. Damien Shippee

Damien is a 19 years old model who hails from New York. He was born and raised in Western Massachusetts near the Vermont border.

Hallmark, Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, MA, was the very first place Damien really began his modeling career. He was first discovered by students at a photography institute in his area, and once he posted his portfolio online, various photographers immediately approached him to work with them and the rest you can say is history.

His most memorable gig was with Kirt Reynolds, the photographer of Trik Photography.  When he was approached by Kirt to do a shoot, he had no car at the time so he had to take the train to get to NYC. It was all worth it in the end though because the shoot was a success and he’s been friends with the photographer as well ever since.

He’s most proud of becoming an independent person. He described moving out of his parents’ house as probably the biggest success he’s ever had because when he did that he was able to pursue more things in life, including his career.  

He hopes to continue modeling and working within the fashion industry. But maybe someday he’s hoping to go back to his first love – which is doing performances.

Interview

1. What do you enjoy most about modeling?

Collaborating with different photographers is one of my favourite aspects of modeling. There is always something different to capture. Sometimes I surprise myself by coming up with a pose or a style that I’ve never envisioned before.  

2. Can you give us a brief description of yourself and how you were discovered?

I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts near the Vermont border. Originally, I envisioned myself pursuing a performance career. Now although I still love music, I’ve realized that my adoration for the fashion industry has actually grown tenfold. I currently work in high end retail and hope to continue to learn more about the business first hand with hands on experience. I was actually first discovered by students at a photography institute in my area, and once I posted my portfolio online, various photographers immediately approached me.

3. When did you first model and where?

Hallmark, Institute of Photography in Turners Falls, MA, was basically the first place I really began modeling, It was my freshman year in college at the time.

4. Do you have a specific inspiration to keep modeling? (a person, an event etc)

There are many things that inspire me to continue pursuing modeling. Like many young people I felt that I was never good enough, I used to have a fairly low self esteem. I now believe that popularity does not necessarily make you a beautiful person; it’s actually humility that goes a long way. I don’t intend to use modeling to spite those who have pulled me down earlier, I want to use my experience to encourage myself and others that it’s okay to follow your dreams.

5. What was your most memorable gig?

My most memorable gig would have to be with Kirt Reynolds, the photographer of Trik Photography. After reviewing my portfolio Kirt asked me if I wanted to shoot with him. Without a car it’s tough to get to NYC, so I decided to take a train. Not only was the shoot a success, I really got to experience the city like a local. Above all, I’ve struck an amazing friendship with an awesome photographer.

6. What achievement are you most proud off?

I’m most proud of becoming an independent person. Moving out of my parents’ house was probably the biggest success I’ve ever had to date. Without all that baggage, I feel like I’ve been able to pursue more in life, including my career. Although I realize that I will have failures in the future, I also know that I will have triumphs and now I can call them my very own.

7. What are your future plans for your career? (Inside the entertainment industry or out of it).

I hope to continue with modeling and working within the fashion industry. But maybe someday I’ll slip back to doing performances. Actually I sometimes catch myself singing old jazz tunes while taking long, steamy, hot showers. I want to also continue meeting wonderful people such as Kirt Reynolds and the students from Hallmark. I’ve learned so much from these people, and I owe them so much for helping me make my dreams become tangible.