Me. Yeah, I model. I’ve been working modeling jobs for decades. I was a hand model back in the 1980’s for some obscure product when a friend desperately needed a set of workman’s hands for a photo shoot he’d scored. No pay, but helped him out and that was enough. Took a couple of decades off and then started doing it for money in the early part of 2004. Crazy, eh?

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On the set.

Behind the scenes.

On Tuesday I worked for 3 hours on camera with the good people at Gallop. My agent, Laura at N.U.T.S., had worked hard to find me this job and treated me very well. All of the staff at the agency played a part in accommodating my schedule during the holiday period. I’ve been blessed with good agents in both the theatrical and literary world. As a talent (that’s what they call us) you simply can’t make it without good representation.

I played two different characters (Santa and “The Biker”) in countless photos and videos that day. The product will be using the ads in the near future but for now I’m keeping mum as to who/what it is. Let’s just say that you won’t be able to miss it if you use the internet.

There is a true/funny background to all of this silliness. Years ago I wanted to do voice over work. Strangely, you need a good photo for the agents to show around so people can see the voice they might hire. I went for the photos and had the “friendly guy” look down pat. I had decided to start shaving my head due to a really ugly male pattern baldness. I looked pretty bad from above or behind (get your mind out of the gutter!) Between rolls of film, I ran across the street to the barber shop, had them shave my head, and then put on a black muscle shirt. I’d been working out quite a bit and wanted to take the pictures as a gag for my mom.

The proofs came back a week later and the photographer, Jennifer Bong, said that I’d be crazy not to try and get some on-camera work with that shaved head look. I sent the photos out a week later. Within a week I had my first job in a video.

The rest is history. Unsavory and threatening looks are hard to come by in nice guys. I follow direction fairly well, can turn the evil look on and off, and know how to work with the camera. Consequently I’ve been included in a variety of work over the years including posters for the local classical music station, a motorcycle parts catalog, a shopping center, and now the new product (with several others in the middle.)

Working on camera is hard work. There’s a reason most models are in good shape – they move nonstop for hours a day. I’m not pretty. I show up with my own wardrobe most of the time. But it is great fun to do a professional shoot like the one I just completed. Heather was there with clothes and boots (she got the sizes just right) and Pam did my makeup. Both were absolutely wonderful to work with and they sure pampered me.

Same goes for the photographic crew and lighting people. To take the pictures there were at least 10 people on the other side of the camera. The product I was holding was heavy, and between sets of shots one of the crew would race in and grab it from me. That is a blessing. Just like the kind words and smiles of encouragement when we’re shooting.

At the end of 3 hours I was beat. Arms sore, tired from multiple facial expressions, constant movement. The good part was that it was relatively cool in the studio. I’ve worked other jobs where it was pretty darned hot.

I guess the moral of the story is that the next time you see some model being talked about on television, or in a magazine, and the excessive amount they’re being paid is the topic, remember the hard work and short career that most have. I’ve been doing it for almost a decade and I’m blessed – my look never goes out of style. There will always be a call for evil thugs, fat bikers, and Santa. Those youngsters who are good looking have a career you can measure in months in most cases.

Well, I have to go now. My face needs moisturizing before I lay down. Got to keep the crinkly eyes crinkly.

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