Being a Judge for the Best of the Best reality show in Mexico, I had few opportunities to photograph the competing models.
Brittany was one of the 12 finalists now at the resort. They came from all over the US, with a couple from Canada. In addition to the camaraderie they had created, there was a healthy mix of competitiveness.
She would be posing for the 12 photographers who had won their birth in the elite reality show.
Judging this was a blast. The previous year, I was in the show’s Bahamas winner’s circle. Between interviews with the contestants, I would still get to photograph the models.
I charmed Brittany for a slice of her time between her shoots.
Like most models at this level, she had a lot going on behind her beauty.
At just 20, Brittany already had three side hustles, one in jewelry, the other in fashion. She had grand plans for both. The third, of course, was modeling.
The models at this level need very little direction from photographers—more minor tweaks. The real skill is sharing concepts and vision so that the model “gets it.” The more you work with this level of model, the more your directions and suggestions become shorthand.
So, Brittany did not need much, easily hitting her mark on my ideas.
What I love about Mexico is the soft painterly light. It gave her skin this wonderful soft glow.
My favourite image is the circular closeup of her face. With only her face breaking the water’s surface, it suggests there is more happening under the surface—a subtle suggestion that she is more than her surface beauty. Her blue eyes sparkle with her energy; I swear it they show flashes of her gentle soul.
She nearly took the crown but did become one of the favourites.
Remember those side hustles she had? She went home with a flash drive full of images of herself wearing them while showcasing her modelling, and she felt that was an even bigger prize.
That woman has big plans.
I got these fantastic images. Boy, I do love Mexican beach light!
