https://www.skool.com/skool-community-9362/hollywood-modeling-skool?p=e2d98389

Prom nights are one of the few nights a year I genuinely look forward to being fully booked. For five straight hours, I don’t sit down. The line never ends. One student steps off the set, the next steps on. Dresses in every color, every sparkle, every silhouette you can imagine. And every single time — even after waiting in line watching me pose everyone else — the first thing they say is: “I don’t know what to do.” And I smile. Because that’s normal. They don’t need to know what to do. That’s my job. Prom isn’t about modeling experience. It’s about the dress. The dress is the character of the night. Whether it’s dramatic in the back, detailed in the front, sleek and simple, or full Cinderella moment — I pose to flatter the dress. Because when the dress shines, they shine. That’s what people don’t realize about posing. It’s not random. It’s not copying Instagram. It’s understanding lines, fabric, structure, movement — and building the pose around the design. Prom night is fast, chaotic, joyful — and honestly, one of my favorite classrooms. Real-time posing. Real-time confidence. Real-time magic. And here’s the part they don’t even realize. Standing in front of them isn’t just “the prom photographer.” It’s a professional model from LA. A pageant photographer. Someone who’s worked in front of and behind the camera for decades. But they don’t know that. They’re just there because their parents handed them a check and said, “Go get your prom pictures.” And then they step onto my set. For three minutes — sometimes less — they get 100% of my focus. On them. On the dress. On the details. On the way the fabric falls. On the way they stand. On how to turn slightly so the back shines if that’s where the magic is. And when they see the image? That’s the part I love. Because in those few minutes, they weren’t just “next in line.” They were seen. That’s the work I love the most.

Somewhere out in a New Mexico junkyard, we found an old abandoned bus — sun-faded, rusted, perfectly imperfect. The kind of place most people would drive past without a second thought. But that day, it became a set. She had one specific dream for her portfolio: a photo with a giant python snake. Not glamorous. Not typical. Not safe and pretty. Bold. Fearless. Memorable. So we made it happen. A friend helped coordinate everything, the snake handler arrived, and there she was — standing in front of that old bus with this massive python wrapped around her like it was the most natural thing in the world. That’s what I love about building portfolios. It’s not about copying trends. It’s about creating images that feel personal, powerful, and unforgettable. Sometimes that means Malibu. Sometimes that means a junkyard and a python. Either way — we show up and we make the vision real.

Behind every polished pageant photo is a lot of teamwork, laughter, and hard work. While the model holds her posture, fixes her expression, and stays camera-ready, I might be in the sand, kneeling on rocks, or chasing the light to get the perfect angle. Great images don’t just happen—they’re created through effort on both sides of the camera. The model brings confidence, grace, and focus. The photographer brings vision, direction, and sometimes a little dirt on their knees. That’s the magic of behind the scenes. Two people working together, giving their best, to create one unforgettable image.

Behind every strong image is effort from both sides of the camera. When you see your photographer in the sand, on the ground, or working hard for the right angle, remember—you’re part of a team creating something together. Professional models respect the process and give their best in return.