THISENT.com is excited to collaborate with highly regarded photographer Team Kaw-Boi to present Vol. 3 of our series “Role Model”.
Too often models are mis-conceptualized as tawdry, self-absorbed, and superficial. They’re booked for shoots and judged by their covers. Fashion and style photography is certainly an art, and the models who pose for vibrant stills are artists. They’re admired for who they are on and off camera.
In THIS INTERVIEW with brand enthusiast and fashion model Maha Ellithy, she answers our questions about the modeling profession and the role that comes with it. THIS is for YOU!
What is the most exciting thing about modeling?
There are many benefits to a career as a model. You learn skills that can give you poise and confidence. You could have the opportunity to travel to interesting places and meet fascinating people and if you are lucky, you could make substantial salary depending on your experience. Modeling is a very competitive career choice.
In what way has your personal and professional life been affected by the photos you’ve taken?
Both of my parents are devout Sunni Muslims. I grew up in a household where the Quran was constantly being played on the TV, YouTube, and the radio. Yes, the radio! After moving to the United States, I was approached by many recruiters to become a model, but I didn’t understand what they’d seen in me.
Whenever I would bring it to my parents, attention the answer was, “No…you need to stay focused on school” because it’s against everything Islam stands for. You can say I lost on major opportunities while I was younger. However, when it came the right time, I was able to do what I love.
How are you applying your education to what you do as a model?
I am a pilot, my major was aviation science in Air Traffic control. I am also a certified project manager.
Explain the benefits of a positive working relationship with a professional photographer.
Working with a good photographer, they are normally able to look at something ordinary, or even extraordinary, and find a million different ways to interpret what he or she is seeing and convey those interpretations in beautiful and meaningful photos.
For whatever reason, models tend to be targets of stereotypes and ridicule. Why do you think this keeps happening and how can it be stopped?
Do we need to take a stand against insecurity about our bodies and the way we look? Are we being manipulated by the fashion industry and by visuals of thin perfect bodies? It’s necessary to fight these stereotypical images of beauty, achieved at great cost to the models who starve themselves for more work, as health and looks are tossed by the wayside.
Some of them even lose their lives.
I’ve heard stories that some modeling agents encourage girls to do speed and cocaine in order to speed up metabolism and eat less. And all kinds of injections are becoming more and more popular. Stronger women with better sense and self-esteem are working at raising awareness about the issue. I hope it’s something we can really change.
What makes you a positive role model for people of all ages?
Being a good role model is not very easy. It takes time and experience in life. Try to always be positive, calm, and confident. Everyone likes a person who is happy with how far they have come but continues to strive for bigger and better goals.
Explain to us why it’s important for young people to see women and men portrayed in a respectable manner.
A gender stereotype is harmful when it limits women’s and men’s capacity to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers, and/or make choices about their lives.
Tell us about your role models. Who is someone you consider to be an honorable example and a fine representative of humanity?
My mother is a symbol of love and care. She is my first teacher, friend, and my inspiration. She is the most beautiful, strong, loving, caring, and wonderful person. I always wonder how she manages everything perfectly and is surprised because of her kind nature.
She has taught me more than I could have learnt from any book. She sets an inspirational example to me, teaching me how to live life and make wise choices, even in the most uncertain situations. She has also thought me to have faith.
What effect did your mother and father have on the way you feel about how women, men, boys, and girls should conduct themselves?
My parents taught me I need to treat everyone with respect, and in order for others to respect me I have to respect who I am as a person first. | THIS ENT
[Written by Mr. Joe Walker | Photos by Team Kaw-Boi]
Contact Team Kaw-Boi HERE
