Christina Kruse, 40, modeling for 23 years
How has your relationship to the camera changed as you’ve matured into a woman? I am open to smiling a bit more. I was never very good at that. I am a bit more confident now that I don’t look like a cheese ball. What are the differences — if any — between being shot by a female photographer rather than a male? Females always feel a bit more sensitive to facial expression, but that may also entirely be a projection from my “female” side. From no-sees to go-sees, what are your tips to making it in the industry? Given how many very talented and beautiful models are around and how many get to be full on working girls, my tip would be to keep in mind there are very few rules after all. I am convinced a huge factor is to be lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. Who is your phenomenal woman? I think everybody has something phenomenal to them, you just have to make an effort to see it.
Anja Rubik, 33, modeling for 18 years.
Jessica Miller, 32, modeling for 18 years
How many shoots have you appeared in? I’ll take a stab at 2-3000. How has your relationship to the camera changed as you’ve matured into a woman? It’s certainly made it more exhilarating to be in front of the camera. With life’s experiences, I have so much more to give. It’s a great place to express different emotions and play a character. I never had the confidence to do that at 16. What do you think about when you’re in front of the camera? Usually my husband. How do you hope to come across? Diverse. Raquel Zimmermann and Guinevere van Seenus are really incredible models, they always bring something new to the table and really seem to lose themselves. That to me is so exciting to see. I pray I bring a fraction of that unpredictability to my shoots. How do you keep your sense of self? I always walk onto set knowing the client booked me. It’s all about having that confidence and one’s true self will shine through. From no-sees to go-sees, what are your tips to making it into the industry? Kindness, kindness, kindness.
Doutzen Kroes, 31, modeling for 13 years
How has your relationship to the camera changed as you’ve matured into a woman? I’ve definitely grown more comfortable — but I would say it’s my knowledge of hair, makeup, lighting and styling that has changed the most. Now, it’s become second nature for me to connect with the team and get the finished product. What do you think about when you’re in front of the camera? Like anyone at work, I’m thinking of a million things per minute — did I turn off the coffee pot before I left home? What are my children up to? Is dinner with my sister on Wednesday or Thursday?? Seriously though, It depends on the shoot — is it a perfume campaign, or an editorial, and what does the photographer want from me? I create the character in my head and go from there. How do you keep your sense of self? Keeping a sense of self has always been pretty easy for me. I’ve never thought of myself as a “model” — but as a person who works as a model. A journalist or nurse or bus driver is only those things when they’re working — hopefully their jobs don’t define who they are when they go home. When I’m home with my family and friends, my job holds no interest whatsoever with them, which is great! I’m just me.
Credits
Photography Amy Troost
Fashion Director Alastair McKimm