Michelle Westby – Published Professional Model
Michelle is a professional published model. She can regularly be found on the Car circuit and has been published in Nuts, Max Power, Fast car and several other car mags.
You can find out much more about her on her Facebook Fan page
Michelle is a published and experienced model who has been in the industry for around 2 years.
1. How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in the industry for nearly 2 years now.
2. What is your biggest achievement to date?
Having my own feature in max power ( 6 page spread and front page)
3. why did you enter the business?
For fun and a little extra earning as well to meet new people.
4. Have you ever been affected by any scams? If so, what were they?
I’ve been lucky not have no been involved in any scams but seen alot of girls that have.
5. Have you ever come across an “unsavoury” agent/photographer or other industry
“professional”? If so what happened?
I have had a shoot with one photogrpaher, i was doing implied topless ( i dont do topless work and he knew that ) he must
have got a pic of me inbetween shots of my boobs and the next thing i knew he was shwoing everyone around the car shows !
6. How did you overcome issues with scams and dodgy photographers?
I now always get references and sign a model release form
7. How has it affected you?
It just made me more aware and less trusting
8. Would you change anything about your experiences so far in the industry?
No i wouldnt, its all been a learning curve and was lucky to have other models giving me advice
9. What advice would you give to aspiring models to ensure they remain safe at all times?
Always bring someone to a shoot, ask for references ! NEVER BE TALKED INTO DOING SOMETHING YOU DONT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, always let the tog know what levels you work up to before the shoot.
10. What would be your best tip to help models when they are on a photoshoot?
just have fun, if your nurvous that will show. i find putting my fav music on at a shoot always helps and makes you more relaxed.
11. Anything else you would like to add which may help models avoid scams, unsafe situations or how to succeed in the industry?
Always bring someone to a shoot if you do not know the photogrpher, decide what levels you feel comfortable with and whilst on the shoot dont change that as you may regret it. Always agree cost for a shoot before hand and how many pictures you get for that, if TF get that in writing and make sure you know how many pictures you are getting for that. NEVER pay to join a agency, if they believe they can get you work they wont need to charge you as they will make money on commission.