I want to share something that happened today as a gentle reminder of the values we follow here. A young aspiring model reached out to me and shared that she loved modeling and cosplay. She seemed sweet and enthusiastic, and I was excited at the thought of helping someone discover their creativity and confidence in front of the camera. But during our conversation she mentioned that her parents didn’t know she was online or speaking with me. At that moment I had to pause the conversation and remove the account. Not because she did anything wrong — she was kind and excited — but because nothing involving young models should ever happen behind a parent’s back. Hollywood Modeling School is meant to be a place where learning, creativity, and opportunity happen openly and safely. If you are young and interested in modeling or acting, your parents or guardians should know about it and be part of the journey. In fact, I love when families are involved. Modeling can be an amazing creative experience when it’s shared with the people who care about you. This community stands for a few simple things: • honesty • transparency • family support • safety When those things are in place, wonderful things can happen. And if you’re young and dreaming about modeling, I hope one day you’ll be able to share that dream proudly with the people who love you most. Photography by Peggy Sirota HMA Beth Kataz

Modeling Lesson from the 80s: Sometimes the Job Is to Be Ridiculous I came across this photo today and had to laugh. This was from one of my modeling jobs in Japan in the 80s. The concept? A huge exaggerated headshot with glasses, wild colors, and hair that looks like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. My expression is basically: “OH!” Not exactly the glamorous fashion image people imagine when they think of modeling. But here’s the lesson. When you’re a working model, your job isn’t always to look “pretty.” Your job is to deliver the concept the client needs. Sometimes that means beauty. Sometimes that means elegance. And sometimes it means making a huge, crazy expression with electrified hair for a giant promotional poster. In Japan especially, the jobs could be wonderfully creative and unexpected. You might walk into a studio thinking it’s a normal shoot, and suddenly the stylist is teasing your hair straight into the sky and the photographer says, “Bigger expression!” And you do it. Because a professional model knows how to play the role. Looking back now, these jobs were some of the most fun ones I ever did. They taught me that modeling isn’t about perfection — it’s about personality, versatility, and being fearless in front of the camera. The 80s were wild… and honestly, I’m grateful I got to live them.

Two sisters, cherry blossoms, and a beautiful reminder of why I love senior portraits. Moments like this, they will love 40 years from now.

One thing I always tell models is that style comes from inspiration. For me, one of those inspirations was Blade Runner—I used to watch it almost every morning before school when it first aired on TV. Great images often begin with something that sparks your imagination.

One of the things I love most about senior portraits is choosing locations that mean something to the family. This beautiful session took place in front of a tree her grandfather planted years ago. It’s more than just a backdrop—it’s a living piece of family history. Senior portraits should reflect who you are and where you come from. Sometimes that means going beyond the typical locations and photographing in places filled with real memories. Those are the moments that make the images timeless. 🌿✨ — Photography by Cristal 📸