by Suzette Banzo

Suzette: Wendy, PLUS Model Magazine thought it would be fun to interview you this month regarding one of your recent photo shoots. Our idea is to get some useful (and hopefully juicy) "Behind the Scenes" type of information that may be helpful to our readers in preparation for their own upcoming shoots.

Suzette:  Many of our readers have countless self portraits taken with their cell phones, and have also been photographed by friends, family and some amateur photographers.  How have you chosen the photographers that you have worked with so far in order to build your port?

Wendy: When I started modeling, I understood the importance of practice, practice, practice. Either I would be contacted by photographers or I would contact them regarding test shoots. I would look through samples of their work and discuss what concept they had in mind and my ideas as well.  I have taken literally over thousands of pictures and have been able to use at least one or two from each photographer.

Suzette: Thousands of pictures? Are you referring to TFCD shoots or testing? When did you crossover from TFCD to paying for testing?

Wendy: By thousands of pictures I mean TFCD. I used those sessions for practice.  I decided it was time to invest in paid test shoots when I started looking through the results of the shoots that I had been doing and realized the improvements I had made.  I wanted to market myself to agencies and knew I would need quality professional marketing material. I just had the feeling that it was time to make that investment.

Suzette: Which photographers have you chosen to help you build a portfolio so far?

Wendy: So far I have worked with Socko and Lucas Pictures. I chose Socko because I liked his work and I appreciated the time and attention spent with me months before the shoot. He analyzed my current look and gave suggestions. He made himself available anytime to answer questions I had about preparing for the shoot and about the industry. He was very personal and honest and that's what I liked. He made me feel comfortable and he really wanted to help me.

I chose Lucas Pictures because I loved his work and appreciated his reputation. I loved the images I saw in Plus Model Magazine. They were flawless! I had to plan many months in advance for the shoot since I was traveling from Chicago. While preparing for the shoot, I spoke with Maddy about different ideas for looks and what I was missing and needed in my portfolio. Once again I felt confident that my best interest was in mind.  I felt privileged to shoot with him.

Suzette: Let's talk about how you prepared yourself for the shoot. Do you follow a regimen for your skin or a workout or both?

Wendy: I immediately started preparing once the date of the shoot was secured.  I'm usually a health nut but I take extra care before a shoot to make sure my skin glows and is in good condition. From time to time I cut out frozen processed foods and fill up with a natural regimen. This gives me tons of energy and keeps me healthy and glowing. I made sure I took good care of my skin and only wore makeup on an as needed basis. I did a mild workout to help with flexibility and to tone up. I wanted to make sure I shined in the shoot and didn't look or feel tired. I save time to relax myself so that I won't be stressed or have tension especially the night before.  I cut out processed foods such as prepared frozen dinners, bottled juices, canned and packaged foods and filled up with a natural regimen consisting of fresh fruits and veggies, fresh juiced veggie and fruit juices, salads, nuts, etc. I basically went on a raw food diet for a while just to get my body together inside and out.  My GOODNESS I had SO much energy and felt GREAT!   I even had that glow!

Suzette: Just to clarify, you stopped eating the weight watchers, lean cuisine type of dinners and turned to raw food like vegetables and sushi?

Wendy: Yes and no, by raw foods I mean not cooked and I don't eat any meat. For example, I'll make a salad from scratch using different greens such as romaine, kale, and spinach, cut up the veggies and maybe include avocado, then use vinegar and olive oil for the dressing.  I also make raw lasagna.

Suzette: Raw Lasagna? What is that and for how long would you be on this cleanse?

Wendy: I use pine nuts, spinach, organic spaghetti sauce, and veggies. There are several other dishes too and I needed a food processor and blender for some of them.
 I ate this way for 30 days.

Suzette: WOW that takes a lot of discipline and commitment, I'm impressed!

Wendy: As a result I really don't eat too much meat and I alternate with eating veggies raw.  I LOVED how it made me feel.

Suzette: At the risk of turning PMM into Redbook...Would you please share a recipe or better yet a favorite website of yours for information on eating raw for our readers?

Wendy: I sure will!  www.altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/Raw_Food.htm
There are also tons of recipes at: http://www.goneraw.com/recipes
You can get an idea of meals and what goes into the preparation.

Wendy: I'd like to add something personal...I suffered from depression for a while and was taking medicine.  I started seeing an herbalist because I wanted an alternative to taking the meds and that's what got me started eating healthier, juicing, etc.  I felt better than I did than when I was taking the meds and I was able to stop cold turkey that's what has kept me so dedicated.

Suzette: Wendy! That is such a generous thing to share with me. May I include it in the interview?  I ask because I'm sure we have some readers that may have signs of depression or know someone that does and this information could help them, but I leave it up to you.

Wendy: Sure....that's what I want to do...help anyone I can,  I don't mind sharing my story.