December 2007
Modern Day Femme Fatale Heidi Van
Horne is here to take your questions on pin-up modeling. Got something
to Ask Heidi? E-mail
us! And don't forget to read Heidi's print column in Bachelor
Pad Magazine.
All my best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe
holidays to you and your loved ones this year! I hope you enjoy the December
column, and I look forward to another new year with you all--in print and
here online--in 2008! MUCH LOVE!--Heidi.
Hi Heidi!
I really admire your profession as a pin-up
model. You and a few others inspired me to try pin-up modeling for myself!
I think your photos are wonderful, and I hope to achieve that quality in
my photos one day! I've been doing it for a year or so now, and I really
enjoy it. I was wondering if you had any tips on self promotion and getting
noticed! I'd love to gain a bigger fan base, approach bigger projects and
make myself a name! I know this couldn't happen overnight, but some helpful
tips, or a point in the right direction would be wonderfully appreciated!
Love,
Miss Jeannie
Hi Jeannie!
Thanks so much for the sweet words! That's
great that you've been at it for a year! And that you are driven to do
more with it, too! That's the first step to getting there, after all!
If you are looking to build your fan base
and name, I'd suggest two main things to get you there. First is to acknowledge
the fans you do have and the network you've begun to build. Be sure you
are appreciative of the people who already are aware of what you do--your
fans and friends. Make sure you stay in touch with people you've worked
with and with as many fans that contact you as possible. The busier you
get, the harder it is to answer everyone, so make sure you are doing what
you can, especially as you build your name in the beginning. The second
big step is to work on building new contacts and widening your network.
Try e-mailing people who's work you like (companies, photographers, etc.)
who have worked with someone you've worked with. Let them know you have
someone in common and that you would love the chance to work with them
at some point. If they are interested, they will be in touch. If they aren't
right now, then at least they've seen you and are aware of your work- and
the more likely it will be that your name will come up in the future, and
when it does, they will already know who you are. (Whether they see your
work elsewhere or someone else mentions you for a project.)
Also, it never hurts to keep your name out
there by helping with or hosting local events, entering pin-up contests,
and maintaining a regularly updated website and/or myspace page where people
can check out your work and see what you're up to. And be sure to check
out modeling sites like Model Mayhem, Retrokitten and One Model Place,
etc. You never know who you will befriend or who might see your work that
needs someone like you!
So, work on the relationships you already
have, and work at building new ones! That will keep you busy--until you
are working so much that networking is second nature to ya! Good luck with
it, honey! Keep working hard and striving to do better work, and you will
keep getting bigger and better!
Dear Heidi,
I am 22, and have always loved the characteristics
of the pin-up artistic style, but have only recently discovered that there
are modern day pin-ups. I am very eager to try my hand at being a pin-up,
but I'm afraid I may not get much of a chance, since I do not have the
average pin-up figure. I am only 5'2", and have a pear shaped body: petite
bust, small waist, and wide hips. I also have several tattoos, and will
NOT stop getting them. And then there are those little flaws that everyone
sees in themselves: not so perfect skin, stained teeth, etc. I guess I
have a few "?'s":
What skin care tips do you have for a girl
trying to achieve a pin-up worthy look, and maintain that for everyday?
How much say do you have in your poses
and what style of costumes/lingerie, etc. that you wear for shoots?
Thank you so much for doing this column,
and your continued work. It's incredibly inspiring to me as a hopeful pinup,
and as a designer.
Amanda
Hey Amanda!
I was like you, too, when I first found modern
gals doing pinup online years ago! I was so excited that other gals like
me liked that style, too!
Don't worry about fitting into a stereotype
for pinup! Just be you and be conscious of what you are putting out there,
soon you will find the perfect fit! You might find a photographer you work
well with that loves your shape and style and begin a long working relationship.
Who knows!? You gotta try to find out! Because one thing is for sure--you
can't make it if you never try!
Lots of pinup girls have the qualities that
you mentioned--so don't think that those alone limit you. Its more
about learning to work what you've got! There are lots of pin-ups out there
doing well who are shorter, who aren't as busty as others, and who have
tattoos. They just learned how to sell what they were workin' with, instead
of worrying that it wasn't what everyone else looked like. You can't do
anything to make yourself taller or change your body shape drastically,
but you can stay healthy and you can work at fixing your skin and teeth
if they bother you.
The best skin care tips I have are to drink
LOTS of water and stay moisturized, don't go to bed with makeup on, and
get on a skin care routine that is good for YOU, not just whatever line
is most popular or some celebrity uses. The climate where you live and
your skin's temperament should determine what you need. Unfortunately,
its often just trial and error and asking for suggestions from friends
and fellow models who's skin is similar to yours. If you can afford it,
get to a dermatologist and let them help get you on track.
As for poses and clothing, it depends what
the shoot is for. If I am a hired model for a company, its 95% that they
have the wardrobe and a concept of what we're doing. If its an artistic
collaboration with a friend or fellow artist, it depends on who came up
with the concept. Sometimes the photographer has something specific in
mind, and sometimes I have something I want to shoot, other times we just
go with the flow and see what we come up with! In the beginning, you will
do more dealing with other's choices than making the decisions yourself,
but the more work you do, the more input you will begin to have. And often
you will find a photographer or company who really fits with your style
and you will work on many shoots together, each getting to bring concepts
to the table--from clothes and props to location and pose!
Keep up the great work! And best wishes
to you for much success!!
Love all ya'll!
Heidi Van Horne
www.HeidiVanHorne.com
Bonus Heidi Photo!
Photo: HVHphoto.com
A little about Heidi: "I starting acting
in Texas at age 13, I have worked and trained as an actress in film, TV
& commercials for most of my life, as well as working behind the lens
on various projects. I have been shooting my own retro pinups since late
2003, when I started doing self-shot photos (just like Bunny
Yeager did!) with a self timer and a tripod in my home. Since
then, I've been on the cover of 3 books ("Hot Rod Pin Ups" by David
Perry and MBI Publishing, "How to Be a Dominant Diva" by Avalon
Press, and the new "Modern Vixens: World of Winytiki" by Octavio
Arizala and Goliath Press) as well as being featured on the
cover of 3 (and inside 2 other) Pin Up Calendars for 2007, magazine covers
and countless layouts, features and interviews in counter-culture publications,
as well as a few mainstream mags. I've gotten to work with tons of amazing
companies and photographers, including original pinup, pinup photographer
& living legend, Bunny Yeager--shooting on the same beach
where she and Bettie Page made
Pin Up history! Living in LA pursuing my acting, I've kept myself busy
on the side shooting the genre I love the most- and I'm thrilled to see
how the niche has grown and grown worldwide!" |
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