This web site has been out of the business of featuring
models for almost a year. We've received hundreds of
e-mails requesting (some of you demanded) that we bring back
new features on models. Once it was determined that we
would feature models, I reached out to my friend
Richard Franklin to
discuss my vision for featuring models in 2008.
Let me
state for the record, if there was a Mt. Rushmore of
photographers, Richard Franklin's face would be one of the
images on the mountain. It is hard to believe that
Richard has never had a photography lesson in his life.
A look at the body of his work is tantamount to a visit at
an upscale art gallery. Some of the images are simply
stunning. Richard can tell a story through his camera.
After discussing this for about 15 minutes, Richard
suggested that we feature a young model named
Kre.
He directed my attention to a series of photos. I was
overwhelmed by the models. Notice I said, "models"
(plural). A few moments later, I noted that Richard
was talking "model" (singular). It turned out
all of the pictures were shots of
Kre.
It was at that moment that I decided that Kre needed to be
the first model featured in our our new segment
"Behind The
Spotlight."
By her own
admission,
Kre
is not
your typical model. "I'm in my early 20's.
I'm not very busty, I'm 6 ft.
I'm a size 3. My
measurements are 34-25-35. I'm a high
fashion/print/fitness/model from Oakland, CA."
The
Spartan Warrior shots are amazing. I
assumed these were shot in a studio and digitally enhanced.
Richard explained that these photos were shot outdoors with
him on his back pointing his camera upwards. He could
not see the model due to the bright sun. If you want
to see a contrast in appearance take a look at the
"tiger-like" shots with Kre
covered in body paint. It's hard to believe that
this is the same model.
I mentioned to Richard that
it would be great if I could meet Kre one day to interview her for a feature.
At that point Richard replied, "Look, let me bring her in so
you can say hello." Seconds later, I was conducting an
impromptu interview with Kre.
(From this
point on you're going to see a model named Kre, as seen
through the eyes and camera lens of Richard Franklin).
Click On Photos To Enlarge
Model Spotlight featuring Kre
BMIA.com: How
long have you been a professional model?
Kre: About two
years.
BMIA.com: What
were you doing before modeling?
Kre: I was in
college. I played basketball in high school and
college. I ran a little track. I'm from Texas
but I always wanted to model, so I went to Hollywood.
BMIA.com: Tell
me about yourself.
Kre:
I was the college captain of my basketball team at Texas
Christian College (a HBCU, Historically Black College) in
Tyler, Texas. I've was in 3 national commercials in 2006
and 2007--Visa (Life Takes Visa), Nike ( Brand Jordan) and
NCAA (March Madness 07). I've been in SHAPE magazine for
Ryka Fitness, worked with Adidas (runway) , Roberto Cavalli
(runway), DKNY (runway), Sebastian (runway), JC Penny
(runway) and a former Miss Hawaiian Tropic model. I've also
been in various catalogues for print and fashion shows.
I'll be moving to Paris, France in mid December for a high
fashion modeling.
BMIA.com: What's the best part of being a model?
Kre: You get
to meet all kinds of people. You get a chance to look
beautiful, even for a brief moment. All of the
attention is on you.
BMIA.com: Was
the "Spartan Warrior" shoot difficult to do?
The photos are visually stunning.
Click On Photos To Enlarge
Kre: Yes, I
had just sprained my ankle and it was hard for me to
maintain my position at times, especially being on a balance
beam. I didn't want to let Richard down so I toughed
it out.
BMIA.com: What
motivates you to do this work?
Kre: As I
mentioned earlier, I always wanted to be a model.
Growing up being dark-skinned, I heard a lot of people tell
me that I couldn't do certain things. When you're a
kid people can be cruel and say mean things. My momma
always told me I was beautiful so I wanted to be a model.
BMIA.com: How
were you discovered?
Kre: I went to
a convention and met this guy who was an agent. He
cast for commercials. I got into a Michael Jordan and
then a Visa commercial. I got an agent after that and
the rest of it just fell into place.
BMIA.com: We've been out of the business of featuring models for about
a year. We're going to get back into it and want to
start off with you. What do you think? You
interested?
Kre: Wow!
That's dope. Yes, I'm interested. Thank you so
much.
BMIA.com: Let's talk about the business end of modeling. How
involved are you in your career?
Kre: Very
involved. I've managed my career and got my first two
commercials that earned me a significant amount of money
that went straight to my pocket. I leveraged the
commercials to get my first agent. Now I have three
agents. I've found that it's really really hard to get
modeling work if you have dark skin.
BMIA.com: Really, that's still the case? You have to deal with
the dark skin vs. light skin thing.
Click On Photos To Enlarge
Kre: Yes.
I cut my hair off and just went with a natural look and it's
really working well for me right now.
BMIA.com: I
want to talk about modeling scams. Have you been
scammed?
Kre: Yes, I've
been scammed before.
BMIA.com: What
advice you would share with women to help protect them from
being victims of a scam?
Kre: My advice
is to research the companies. Never pay money in
advance. Most agents take a percentage of your
earnings. You should not have to pay money up
front for someone to "manage" you. A reputable agent
will take 10% for commercials and 20% for print work.
Some people are also involved with photographers so you need
to be careful of the different angles that people will use
to get money from you.
BMIA.com: Is
there a down side to the modeling business?
Kre: Yep.
You meet a lot of slimy people. People who offer you
things to do "other" things if you know what I mean.
You see a lot of stuff at parties. You meet people who
claim to be your friends when they really want what you
have. You need to learn how to manage your money and
beware of these kinds of people.
BMIA.com: Last
question. How long do you think you'll stay in the
modeling business?
Kre: I'm going
to be around for a really long time because I'm also into
fitness. Fitness models get work well into the 40's.
Click On Photo To Enlarge
BMIA.com: Thank Kre. I know this was unscheduled. I
appreciate your time.
Kre: Thank
you, this is awesome.
BMIA.com: Tell
me with something about you that I didn't ask you.
Kre:
My motto
is "Fall down seven times, get up eight." Sounds like
a cliché but I'm an example of whatever you put your mind to
you can do! Everything I've said I was going to do I've
done it.
This
interview was conducted and posted on December 7, 2007.
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Patrice Hollis - Playboy's Miss September
2007
