Knockout! How Cover Girl, Stephanie, K.O.'s the Modeling Industry By Mandy Wilson For Stephanie, age sixteen was sweet but seventeen is even sweeter.  Her recent decision to transfer to a new agency, Hoffman International, is just one of several reasons why her career is taking off.  Now Stephanie is ready to reveal even more secrets to her success that every young model should know. First and foremost, family is very important.  It’s clearly evident that Stephanie’s parents fulfill their role in her life.  They have a wonderful balance between guidance and support in her modeling career.  When Stephanie first wanted to model she was only seven, however, her parents decided that she needed to put off modeling until she was ready to take on the added responsibilities that it brings to a child. As Stephanie turned fourteen, they helped her by going online with her to search for an agency that could properly represent her. “My parents are very supportive, but they have let me know from the get-go that this is my deal and it is up to me to make of it what I want. My mom will go with me to castings and photo shoots, but doesn't get involved unless she is asked to help. It's great because there is no pressure from them. “In order for me to model, my parents expect good grades and that I stay on top of things. As they say, ‘it is a privilege for me to model’.” Stephanie has responded incredibly well to this positive guidance and support of her parents, and photographers and stylists agree that her maturity is evidenced on the set. She also owes a great deal of her success to her agency, that’s why it was so important to find a local, reputable agent to represent her.  She didn’t waste time like so many other girls do with online “agencies” such as One Model Place or Model Mayhem, or photographers who portray themselves as “agents”.  Rather, she realized the important role that a local, reputable agency would have in developing and promoting her career.  Ultimately, she chose Hoffman International in Kansas City. “Like anything else – it takes a team. You can’t do it alone. First you have to find an agency that sees some potential in you and are willing to market you.  I stick with my agency…" The result of being with a solid agency is that Stephanie is finding success doing print work in Kansas City and is making money.  “I’m usually paid by the hour or a flat fee for the day. Modeling is very well paid and, on top of that, to get paid for something you love to do is even sweeter.  Make sure you sign with a modeling agency that will promote you, but also having an agency backing you keeps you safe.” Another way her agency has helped her career develop is by booking her with professional photographers to test with. “I think it’s extremely important that you feel comfortable with your [test] photographer and that you are on the same page and both can benefit from the work you are doing together. My favorite photographer is Shaun Cloud – he is extremely creative in a relaxed way, so you feel totally at ease around him. I liked him from the minute I met him. He knows what he is looking for and immediately could see where my portfolio had some holes. What I really appreciated was that he made me feel I was part of his team. He expected me to be creative and prepared and made me feel that I had a responsibility to make this successful as well. That meant a lot to me.” Stephanie believes that testing is very important and can be beneficial to a model’s portfolio as long as the model is extremely selective in whom she tests with.  She depends on her agency as they take an active role in ensuring that she doesn’t test with the wrong photographers.  Overall, she says that testing has been “super helpful” and has “taught me a lot about posing and being creative in front of the camera.” Stephanie also believes that there is much more to life than modeling. She says, “Good grades are very important to me. My current plan is to get into medical school and you don't get accepted unless you are serious about your studies. ”In addition to being a full-time high school student, she is also a competitive cheerleader, and a master over her diabetes.  It’s the latter of these that makes her the most different, but somehow even stronger. “From the day I was diagnosed with diabetes, my parents took the approach that we had a ‘new normal’… meaning that I now have to take insulin and measure my blood sugar several times a day. There has been so much research and development in diabetes and it is not as restrictive as it used to be… My life is pretty normal. I can still do the same sports and carry on with my life the way it was before as long as I monitor my diet and blood sugar. I'm just a regular teenager! It hasn't affected my modeling at all.” Shaun has had the privilege of working with Stephanie on two occasions.  He recalls the first time he worked with her, “I had a feeling right away that this girl was for real. I was extremely impressed with her professionalism, attitude, and desire to collaborate and be part of the creative process.  She took direction extremely well and displayed a lot of patience as we sought to make every shot perfect.” Other people in the industry say the same things about Stephanie. She’s leaving a strong impression everywhere she goes.  To those of you who are looking to get into modeling or who may be new to modeling, she offers this advice: “Like any other job – be prepared, professional and personable. Always be on time, and be positive and thankful.  Don’t take criticism personally.  Instead, use it to your advantage and let the rest go. Don’t think you are special because there are 13 pretty girls to the dozen, so stay grounded. Be serious about your assignments but make sure you have fun while performing in front of the camera or people. “You have to look your best, be creative and open-minded and take directions, but without the stylist and photographer working with you and helping you bring out the best in you – you won’t make it very far. You have to have people that believe in you and are willing to take a chance on you – and then it’s up to you to work hard and deliver the product.” For more information about Stephanie or if you're interested in working with a top-notch agency, you may contact Pamela Swann at Hoffman International. Phone: 913.642.9212, or email pam@hoffmanmodels.com. Wardrobe styling and makeup on the cover shot were provided by Cristy Guy at www.cristyguy.com.