Photo Shoot

Hailey

The constant flash from the camera was giving me a headache. I couldn’t wait until I got the break I needed to become an actress. A successful actress. There were millions of actresses, but only a select few ever achieved the status I wanted. For now, I was modeling. The career had paid the bills since I was a teenager, but it was time to do something different. 

“Great job, Hailey,” the photographer, Carl, said. “Let’s do a series with you beside the bike since Brittany can’t figure out how to look sexy.” 

I climbed off the bike, giving the young new model, Brittany, a comforting smile. “You’re doing fine. Don’t listen to him.”

She nodded her head. I could see the disappointment in her eyes. I was like her when I first started. Too many photographers were obnoxious and rude. They didn’t treat models like human beings. They treated us like objects to be posed and manipulated to their will.

“She’s not doing fine,” the surly man snapped. “I’m going to have to retake all those shots. She looked stiff as a board.”

“Carl, she’s doing great,” I argued.

Carl shrugged before turning toward his assistants. “Turn those fans down! They’re supposed to look like they’re riding outdoors, not in a hurricane. I want to emphasize the clothing, not the hair.” 

The makeup person stepped in, powdering my nose while another woman attacked my curly blond hair, teasing it and spraying it even more than it already was. It was going to take me a week to get the crap out of my hair. The wind-blown look always meant a gallon of hairspray.

“Is he always like this?” Brittany asked.

I let out a long sigh. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“Does he do all the shoots for the ad company?”

I laughed. “Not that I know of. I’ve only been the face of this campaign, so I couldn’t say for sure.”

“How long have you worked with him?” she asked, climbing on the old-fashioned looking bike that was acting as a prop against the green screen. I had hoped to do an outdoor shoot for the latest line of exercise wear from the company, but Carl hated the outdoor shoots. He said he couldn’t control Mother Nature.

“Years,” I said. “He does a lot of the active wear company photos.”

She nodded her head. “I’ve seen you in a lot of those sports ads and in Sports Illustrated. I can’t believe I’m actually working with you. I’ve looked up to you since I was a kid.”

I grimaced. “You’re making me feel old. How old are you?” I was afraid to hear the answer.

“I just turned eighteen, which is why my mom isn’t here. Usually, she runs interference with some of the more overzealous photographers.”

I nodded my head. “You’re lucky to have had her. You know, she can come with you to these shoots if you’re more comfortable with that.”

She shook her head. “No, I want to do this on my own. How old were you when you started?”

“Fifteen—too young to be doing it on my own.”

“And you’re twenty-eight now?”

“Yep. I’m about aged out of the modeling world.”

“Are you two ladies done chatting?” Carl sniped, his hand on his hips.

“Why don’t we take five?” I asked, knowing he really couldn’t deny my request. “I’d like to get a drink.”

When Carl looked as if he would protest, I shot him a look. I wasn’t a diva, but I would not tolerate much more.

“Take three. I want to get this done!”

I grabbed Brittany’s hand and pulled her toward the refreshment table. “It gets better,” I promised.

She nodded her head. “I’m trying. Are you getting ready to quit? Is that why I got this job?”

“You’re doing fine. It takes a lot of practice to get truly comfortable. I will tell you, the photographer plays a huge role in how comfortable you are. Carl is difficult. He’s an excellent photographer, and he does great work, but he is a jerk. And I don’t think I’m going to quit. It’s just the way things are. I don’t mind. I’m ready to move on to something else.”

She smiled. “I was so excited to get this job. When I found out I would be working with Hailey Hollis, I couldn’t believe it.”

I flashed her a warm smile. “Thank you. That is very flattering. Trust me, everyone is nervous starting out. There will be jobs like this from time to time. If you are ever not comfortable with the way you are being asked to pose, say something. Your agent will take care of the details. Try and relax and have fun.”

She took a drink of the flavored water and nodded. “Thank you for being so nice.”

“You’re welcome. When we’re done, I’ll leave you my number. If you’re ever having any problems or you just want to talk, you call me.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Us girls have to stick together. You ready to finish this? I don’t know about you, but I could use a big fat cheeseburger!”

Her eyes bulged out of her head. “A cheeseburger! You’re going to eat a cheeseburger?”

I laughed. “Yes, I am. I’ll put in extra time on the treadmill.”

“Three minutes are up, Hailey!” I heard Carl shout.

“Duty calls,” I said, groaning.

Together, we walked onto the set and got back to work. It went much better. Carl was much kinder and more patient, which made for a far more productive shoot. Once we were finished, I changed into my comfortable jeans and a T-shirt before taking off the fake eyelashes and the first layer of makeup. I wasn’t a fan of the makeup, but it was a necessary evil for the camera. It was all very tasteful and designed to look like I wasn’t wearing any makeup at all. I did my best to run a brush through my normally curly hair before heading over to the orphanage to see my best friend, Mandy Kane.