A.K.A. Models

How can one person make a positive difference in the modeling industry? I say it's very possible. Some industry professionals are just so used to doing things a certain way that they've become part of the problem. These individuals don't have bad intentions, but they obviously aren't willing to put their reputation on the line to shake and stir things up a bit in the right direction.

These days with the economic challenges affecting my country, family, friends, and friends-of-friends, I've been thinking a lot about what's a priority. I do that with our budget, family time, health, etc. How does this apply to my work with models? In every way that I can think of, I know that despite obstacles...we need to keep moving forward.

"Forward" is not spinning in circles just trying to deal with the problems that life if dishing us out. Forward is FORWARD. If one doesn't make the slightest change...things will keep being the same. This is true about my budget, my health, my body, my creativity, etc., as it is about the modeling industry. My approach with making any forward improvement in the industry STARTS with our own society. I try to reach "society" by writing articles like this blog, post frequently on my A.K.A. Models Facebook Page, talk to whoever wants to listen, volunteer, and attempt to be a leader with a Girl Scout Troop.

Don't get me wrong, my preference is having the right people to collaborate with. Like-minded people that see the Big Picture of what is going in the wrong direction and want to try and help. Redeeming the "overall" modeling industry through EDUCATIONAL assistance and setting guidelines, as well as establishing social and ethical responsibility that doesn't take away from commerce nor art...a balance of everything we love in ALL types of models and what they offer to the industry and society.

There are men, women, and children here in the United States that are getting caught up with visual tendancies that seem to make them be harder on themselves and more insensitive to other people. If we take a look at the big picture...we see youth growing up much sooner than we'd prefer based upon what media is feeding their formative thoughts. As adults, we are not immune either, but we can recognize it being done to us a little bit easier from experience.

I am not trying to get into the psychology of advertising, but I'm slightly jaded that the chain of command leads back to the top of the modeling industry's clients...especially the magazines, the commercial clients, the fashion clients, and fashion designers that DO have some pull to start taking a stand for our youth. Adults can barely tell the difference between what is real or just wishful thinking sometimes! How does our society expect the youth to grow up with positive self images, confidence, better tolerance of others, and an appreciation for the difference between fantasy and REALITY?

So, yes, I just told you my concern and you read it. Now, what if others agree that one voice can START forward momentum by having others join them? It is then very possible to make people realize that some of the things we have accepted maybe hasn't worked as well as we've originally intended. I'm not even (slightly) implying that a lot needs to change...much may just stay the same when it comes to some of the basic modeling issues.

There really are some major issues that could be dealt with on a level that will help everyone at least see where more "BALANCE" may potentially help our youth as they grow into the next phase as adults. We can't help everyone with everything, but our children deserve our effort...most of us started out with idealistic views and/or blaming our parents. I see that this requires our effort despite our children ever recognizing that we are trying to make things better for them.