May
25
Recognizing and Avoiding Modeling and Photography Client Scams

SCAMS TARGETING MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

Online scams

Not sure if an opportunity is legit. These tips will hopefully give you more information to sort out scams from real gigs.

My model and photographer friends, please be wary of people who claim to be art directors, photographers, or international modeling agents for publications such as major men’s lifestyle brands such as Maxim or Playboy. I know the excitement this can generate as we instantly get stars in our eyes and feel as if our big break is happening. Well, it’s too good to be true and may actually be a scam.

I’m writing this blog because the majority of casting scams are for modeling gigs. Although there are lots of real model casting calls as well, be extra cautious when considering modeling opportunities. The key to avoiding disappointment is recognizing how these scammers work. That’s the point of this blog…Read More

May
21
To My Daughter, For Her Graduation

Tonight is my only child’s high school graduation. I am so very proud of my girl.

We learned a week ago that Fort Payne High School would be having an in-person graduation commencement ceremony after all. This seemed unlikely just a week ago as we remained on lock-down to contain the community spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus. But then Gov. Kay Ivey said “Open ‘er up” and the floodgates exploded under the accumulated pressure of thousands of people eager to leave their houses.

Tonight, I hope you’ll indulge me as I gush about my favorite person in the whole wide world: my daughter Miranda.

I’m not getting to parade her around as the best of my creations, so I am indulging myself a bit in trumpeting how wonderful she is here in this space.

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May
13
My pandemic story

I’ve had a week I wouldn’t want to repeat.

On Thursday, a friend I’d just seen on Tuesday notified me, as part of contact tracing, that they were being tested for COVID-19 because a family member caught it.

I got both the swab test (ouch!) and the antibodies test on Friday. I was isolated in quarantine from other human beings for nearly five nerve-wracking days packed with panic attacks.

After experiencing chest pain, I had to take a tranquilizer to distinguish whether I was having a panic attack, a heart attack or COVID symptoms. I somehow managed to get work done from home despite it being nearly impossible to concentrate.

I’d been so careful, going straight home from work and sharing information with others on how to protect themselves — yet I still looking this damn monster straight in the eyeball. I was angry. I was sad. I was exhausted with all of this.

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May
02
6 Reasons to Do a Photo Shoot

If you are thinking about contacting me about doing a photo shoot, then here are 6 good reasons why you should book me right now:

It will Make you Feel Good

You are beautiful just as you are and deserve to see yourself as such – aided by posing, flattering lighting and styling to look your best, of course. Everyone should have a beautiful portrait that they love.

We tend to view ourselves as a collection of flaws, whereas the people who care for us take warmth from our greater essence. A professional photograph helps us to see ourselves the way others do, which is very powerful.
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Copyright Steven Stiefel 2018. All Rights Reserved