model citizen >>> mindy k

What made you decide to become a model?
It all started with a simple online beach contest. Last year while getting acclimated with the internet heavily, I came across a website that was having a contest, a beach contest with lots of beautiful women and lots of bikinis. The website talked about the spirit of the beach and right away I thought, "If anyone has the beach spirit, its definitely me, I am the geographically misplaced island girl, everyone knows that!My chances are as good as the next girl."

So I had a friend take some pictures of me on the beach in Ventnor, New Jersey that August. I submitted my 3 images along with some personal information that was required for submission to the contest. Well, once I was able to see myself through my monitor and compare myself to the others participating, I realized, I wasn't even in the same league with these buffed beauties.

They all had websites or web pages displaying additional information and images about themselves. I decided to take advantage of the free server space the internet offered and had a few more beach images taken and placed them on my new web page. I marketed myself like no one else, I managed to bring traffic to my site but at the same time, I opened myself up for the scrutiny that comes with doing so and there were a few folks who posted about how I should not have even entered since I was too fat to be a participant.

Even though I didn't know the people personally, who made such mean comments, I knew they were right in that I wasn't ready for this contest. I was competing with women who really took pride in their bodies and worked really hard to keep them that way. Most of the competition was also 10 years my junior. At that point, I knew if I didn't get serious about my workouts, there was no chance for success in these online competitions.

So, back to the gym I went and with a mission in mind. I had a personal trainer spend time giving me an overall assessment about my body, what I wanted to achieve and making sure to look at my goals realistically. I measured in at 148 lbs with a body fat content of 24.6%. We talked about the importance of not only keeping cardio in my workouts but adding in more weightlifting to achieve my desired results. That was August 1999.

Today, my body fat is down to 15.7% with a total body weight of 120lbs. I work out at least 3 times a week. I have incorporated weightlifting, kickboxing and an abs class into my workouts in addition to the step classes I had always enjoyed. My body has never looked better and I have never felt so confident in myself. As far as the internet, I never did win that contest but I do have my own domain with over 220,000 visitors to date and I am modeling part-time. Success does have its rewards.

What is the hardest thing of being a model?
Probably the hardest thing for me since I am not in my 20's is keeping myself fit, eating right, maintaining a fresh wardrobe for shoots and keeping make-up current as well as keeping up with the latest trends and styles.

What projects do you feel best describes you as a model, and/or spokeperson?
Commerical work is definitely my market. Playing the role of the endearing mother to child, the office worker, the medical associate. I really try to gear my shoots towards creating either a series of images to create a story or specifically shooting for a product with which I would like to market to consumers.

What has been your most exciting gig as a model, and/or spokeperson?
They are all exciting. Interacting with the public albeit a demonstration or a general promotional giveaway, meeting and working with the other models can be a great experience, personally and professionally.

Are you involved in any charity work at the moment?
I try to always keep involved with charity work, mostly the City of Hope, which is geared toward Aids and related cancers and most animal charities.

What is the biggest misunderstanding about yourself?
Some folks thinks because I am over thirty, that there is no place in the market for me. They are hugely incorrect. Baby boomers want to be sold on a product by someone with whom they can identify and I truly believe my look appeals to those consumers which are the majority.

Who have been some of your main influences?
Tracey Walker (Another over 30 model and a great person). Francesca Romano (A model with affiliated with ONLY land based agencies). Various models and photographers on and offline who have guided me with their experiences, knowledge and friendship.

Tell us about your upcoming projects, activities and or events.
I can usually be seen around town in Philadelphia on various promotional assignments for my second agency www.otmphiladelphia.com I am also a moderator to a Model and Photographer's Forum (www.garageglamour.com) which receives over 2 million hits per month.

All photos and graphics courtesy of www.mindyk.com and published with permission.