What brought you plus modeling? and what keeps you modeling?

When I started modeling, I honestly didn’t know there were different categories of modeling, such as straight and plus size.  I saw beautiful people in ads, and wanted to be one of them.  My great friend Cristina Schembri took my first modeling pictures, and from then, I was hooked.  It doesn’t matter if I’m called straight, plus, curvy or just a model.  I’m doing what I love while being me and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Not only do you model you act, and have your blog ‘In Search Of The Spotlight‘ how do you keep it all straight?

It can be difficult to keep a schedule when you are the one setting it, and I have to practice self discipline everyday to make it work.  When I really think about my day to day, I must prioritize carefully as to not lose sight of the task at hand.  It helps having great people around me to help keep me organized, and a great agent I can trust has my back.  I plan on being busier than this soon, so juggling what I have going right now is great practice for the things to come!

Do you have a memorable photo shoot?

Of course I will never forget the very first photo shoot I did with Cristina.  She was taking photography classes, and me being a bit of a tomboy growing up, was surprised when she asked me to model for her.  At the time, I didn’t wear make up, didn’t really do anything more than a ponytail with my hair and my wardrobe consisted of jeans and t-shirts.  After she transformed me and directed me in front of the camera, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities and self confidence I had never dreamed of.  The second most memorable shoot was the one I just did for Riders by Lee Jeans.  I got to shoot a video with the awesome Stacy London, who was so great in person!  Everyone was really nice, and I had a phenomenal time on set. I hope to work with them again in the near future!

Crazy outfits?

I haven’t done a shoot yet with really crazy costume design (even though I look forward to it!), but the nude shoots are always interesting.  The first time I got booked for a shoot that required nudity/implied nudity, I was so scared.  I remember having the worst butterflies, and feeling so vulnerable.  And then it came time to just do it, and everyone was so professional, it was as if I wasn’t nude at all.  It was a pretty cool feeling.  Very liberating, and opened up a whole new body confidence in me.

Difficult poses??

I recently shot with an amazing photographer, Kristina Vartuli, and she really pushed my limits with posing.  I think with commercial modeling, it can be very simple and natural.  When you get into editorial or high fashion modeling, the posing takes on a whole new form.  It may feel ackward or uncomfortable, but look amazing.  That’s why it’s so important to always be practicing either in front of the camera or the mirror.  Plus, I’ve heard yoga helps!

Where have you been shopping this spring?

Well, I just moved here not long ago from Texas, and we don’t have H&M there, which is one of my absolute favorite stores.  They are everywhere here, and that is very exciting for me!!  Being new to NYC is opening me up to fashion in ways I never imagined.

Any must have pieces? I love my Baby Phat jean shorts, and I just got a super great blue sequin jacket from H&M.  I love flashy pieces!  And I truly can’t go without my black and silver Pumas.  Those shoes are the best.

Finish The Sentence

Always… Believe in yourself.  No one can love you like YOU can.  True self esteem comes from believing in yourself no matter what others say, whether they are friends, family OR strangers!

Never… forget about sunscreen!!  Granted, I have freckles so it’s always been crucial for me, but it’s so important! It’s your skin… take care of it!

If you would like to work with Tara please contact her agency Fallon@ipmmodels.com

Are you a MP Fresh Face? Send us your professional photos to info@madisonplus.com.