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Our February Creative Spotlight is Stephanie, a San Diego model and artistic soul. Having moved around quite a bit, she’s now in San Diego and ready to take over the modeling word!  Let’s get to know Stephanie a bit and then see her work the camera in an impromptu mini shoot we did in the East Village.

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Tell us a little about yourself.

I am from a small town in Oregon called Hood River. I’ve lived in a lot of different places since my senior year of high school, including England, Portland, Santa Cruz, and I now live in San Diego. I love traveling and have been to a few countries. I traveled all the way to the end of Baja in a van. I lived in England for 5 months. I’ve been to France, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. I’m kind of a gipsy.

For fun I read, take photographs, practice yoga, take aerial classes and watch movies. And go for walks. And look at pictures of cute animals.

How and when did you start modeling?

I started modeling in 2007 or 2008. I did a couple of odd jobs and one of the people I worked for said I should consider modeling more often and that I should consider modeling more often and that I should make a profile on Model Mayhem. I didn’t end up doing that right away and then I moved to Santa Cruz and needed money. So I made a profile on Model Mayhem and started booking jobs. I’ve been doing it on and off ever since. I am now determined to make it a more full time gig.

You’ve mentioned to me that you like doing unique photo projects. Can you tell us a little about your favorite job(s)?

I love working with a photographer named Walt Morton because we do some crazy creative work with wild masks where I get to act all crazy and animal like. I also love working with Nicola Wilson because we always come up with something unique and we create our own wardrobe and props. Anything where I can act a little out of the norm is good for me.

What direction do you want your modeling work to go in? Any specific type of work that is your dream goal?

I don’t really have a specific direction that I want my work to go in mainly because I enjoy working in so many different styles. I just want to book more shoots and stay busy with it. My main goal is to be published in a magazine this year and I’m not too picky about which one There are a few photographers that I would love to work with but most don’t reside in San Diego. I wouldn’t mind working with Annie Liebowitz!

Do you have any exciting jobs or projects coming up that you want to share with everyone?

I’m going to be working on some awesome fashion films with a young photographer who is really fun to work with. I will also be doing some fashion work and a creative interpretation of a famous album cover, not to be mentioned here. And… I will be working with the stylist for Kate Middleton this month!

There are lots of girls that aspire to model someday. What sort of advice would you give them?

Eek. Just don’t give up! I know that is what everyone says but it’s great advice. There are always moments when you are trying to do what you love where you will want to quit because it’s hard and frustrating. But it’s after that time that things get good!

Do you do any other type of creative work that you want to let people know about?

I actually work on the other side of the camera as well. I love taking pictures, although I haven’t been doing that so often. I also make collages. I often incorporate my own photographs into my collages.

Thanks so much to Stephanie for opening up to us and giving us a peek into her life!

You can find Stephanie’s model profile on Model Mayhem

While you’re checking her out, be sure to stop by her Facebook page!

Stephanie has a main website that is still being developed, but check it out now and be sure to check back often to see it when it’s all finished and pretty!

Stephanie is also happy to chat about any upcoming projects you may have, answer any questions you may have for her, or receive more cute animal pictures to stare at You can email her at Stephanie_leet@yahoo.com

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impromptu mini shoot on the streets of San Diego

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selection of past work

(credits as noted below photos)

Photographer: Kome Parnell ~ MUA: Amy Richardson ~ Stylist/designer: Jenafer Carter

Photographer: James Croft ~ MUA/Stylist: Genevieve Kerns

Photographer: Victoria Lara ~ MUA – Shanella Genice ~ Hair – Mary Del Villar ~ Stylist – Jessica Harebedian

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Thanks again to Stephanie for giving us a peek into her life! Please go check out her Model Mayhem profile, Facebook page, and (soon to be finished) website.

Do you know a creative soul/business owner in San Diego/OC/LA County that would like to be featured? Contact me! There are still spots left in 2012!

~n