I play photographer too!

Photographer: Yours truly <3

http://www.facebook.com/#!/LittleMissNadinee

MUAH: Kitty Munoz

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hjyr57

Model: Delia Murillo

http://www.facebook.com/#!/delia.murillo.14

And my "I Want To Be A Pin-Up Girl" essay contest winner is...Michelle Delane Morrow AKA Shelly Dee!

   I really enjoyed reading all the essays that were submitted. I do wish more girls entered, but it was STILL a hard decision. Michelles was sweet, entertaining, expressed her personality with confidence and had good grammar usage. Now, I hope you enjoy her essay as much as I did.

   Ciao! My name is Michelle Delane Morrow a.k.a Shelly Dee. I’m Sicilian, Spanish, French and Mexican. I’m 32 years young and a single mother of a handsome 3 year old boy. I was born in Long Beach and raised Whittier where I currently live. The two hobbies of mine that I’m really passionate about are poetry and photography…they’re kind of like my therapy as I sometimes suffer from anxiety and panic attacks brought on by going through a traumatic pregnancy and delivery. I’m a certified Administrative Medical Assistant and I plan on going back to school this fall to obtain my Associates Degree in Nursing. My dreams are to become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse (I have a soft spot for sick and premature babies since my son was a preemie), be able to financially provide for my son 100% on my own and pursue pinup modeling.

   I draw my inspiration from many different people one of them being my mother. She raised both my sister and I by herself while working, furthering her education and often going without to do for us. Another inspiration for me would be the models of the 1940’s and 1950’s such as Ava Gardner, Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page to name a few. I know there are many others but those are the ones that come to mind. They were REAL women with REALISTIC bodies. I’m not knocking the models of today at all. Some people find super thin bodies and plastic surgery attractive…I’m not one of them but that’s just me. I do think there’s a lot to be said for a woman that embraces her curves, femininity and sexuality with no apologies.

   I was drawn to the pinup lifestyle fairly recently. During my high school years, through my 20’s and up until after I had my son I felt as though I didn’t fit in and no style appealed to me. I was always the chubby girl with the big boobs and wide hips. So shopping for clothes was NOT something I enjoyed...yes I said it...I know…awful right? Everything was either too big or too small and not flattering in the least. One day I watched a YouTube tutorial on pinup hair and makeup that I decided to try…I LOVED IT!!! The big hair, the cat eyes, the red lips and the clothes that hug and accentuate a curvaceous figure without letting it all hang out. For the first time I actually felt…well…pretty J

   I feel that I deserve this photo shoot because I’ve battled with self image issues and still have bad days from time to time and being a single mom I rarely get the chance to doll myself up. As a women I feel that it is important to play dress up occasionally, look at yourself in mirror with a smile on your face and say “Yeah…I’ve still got it!” Having a photographer there to capture such a blissful moment would be the icing on the cake and make me a very happy gal! 

   I feel that if given this opportunity it would help not only to boost my confidence but give me a little push in the right direction toward healing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this and I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed.

Michelle won a Deluxe Photoshoot with yours truly, as her photographer and Kitty Munoz as her make-up artist and hair stylist! Stay tuned for photos. <3

For the love of Pin-Up!

   I started discovering the pin-up lifestyle at about age eleven or twelve. I didn't really start getting dolled up until I was close to turning age thirteen. I was so crazy about it! I was always interested in modeling, since about age ten. But, I realized I wanted to become a pin-up model when I was fourteen years old.

   I was on MySpace (when it was cool) and I found Pirate Doll Boutique. A cute hair accessory business! I remember viewing one of their posts titled, "MODEL APPLICATION". I was so thrilled and excited. I thought, "yes! My first chance at modeling!". I filled out the application, next thing you know, I received a cute hair bow. A black and white zebra print bow, with a hot pink tie around the middel. I had two friends take several photos of me and I submitted them to Pirate Doll Boutique. This was my first photoshoot ever (amateur of course). I had a blast modeling for them.

   After a while, all model applications/opportunites became 18+. I thought, "might as well quit for now, I have no shot since I'm a minor". So, I didn't continue trying to follow my dream. Instead, I focused on going to school and having the time of my life with friends. I ended up dropping out Jr. year because I hated life. Not only that, but I felt it was more important to help my mom with her childcare, than me going to school. For a whole year I changed pampers, fed kids and took them outside. After a while, I knew I need to go back to school and finish. So I went, had my gameface on and received an equivalent from adult school. I finished in three years which even surprised the diploma project counselor, I was proud.

   Towards the end of school, I did another amateur photoshoot with my best friend Angie and my prima Valerie. We had tons of fun! My love for modeling and photography grew even more! So throughout the year, I'd get dolled up and have Angie take photos of me. Which btw, is a great photog. I did this to get used to being in front of the camera. To practice my expressions and my poses. Not only that, but I also wanted to get feedback from all my friends/fans. That's how I started growing, slowly, but surely.

   At some point, I knew I needed to step my game up. Though I didn't know how. I started just looking up silly things online, to get ideas. I needed to network, build myself an image and try to put myself out there. I began talking to photographers, muahs, companies, etc. I did a few professional shoots and modeled for two companies so far.

   I have modeled for Deadly Doll Accessories, as well as Bow-Tox. Both companies owned by awesome girls! The accessories I modeled are so cute! I am looking forward to modeling for more companies and collaborating with more photographers/muahs. I haven't accomplished my goals fully, but I will, so stay tuned!        

So if you're interested in pin-up modeling, I suggest the following:

1. Study the pin-up lifestyle. Study the hair, the make-up, the wardrobe, the poses and the attitude!

2. Plan amateur photoshoots with your bestie! Do each others hair and make up and take photos of each other. Get comfortable with the camera, and last but not least, be yourself kittens!

3. Once you are ready, start building a professional modeling portfolio. Ask photogs if they do TFP/TFCD (TIME FOR PRINTS/TRADE FOR PRINTS & TRADE FOR CD which holds all your photos) work. Only pay a photog, if you know his work will benefit your port.

4. Network! Make friends with companies, photogs, muahs and more! Join contests! Online or live. Make yourself a fanpage! A youtube chanel! A blog! Just anything to give you more exposure. Once you got these down, your dreams will simply happen.

PS. You don't have to do implied/nude if you don't want. If you don't feel comfortable and wouldn't be proud to show your parents, don't do it.

Well ladies, I hope this has helped you. Good luck on your new journies! Stay tuned, and read more about me soon! Lots of love to you all!

XOXO
Miss Nadine

Here are links that helped me:

http://youtu.be/e1HZumBtAjA
http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/how-does-one-become-a-pin-up
http://www.ehow.com/how_4830023_become-pinup-model.html
http://pincurlmag.com/ask-a-pin-up-model-how-do-i-get-started
http://www.pinuppassion.com/PinUpModel.html

Deadly Doll Bowtique:
Facebook currently deactivated

Bow-Tox:
www.facebook.com/bowtox13