Caitrin O’Connor Takes On Modeling

About a year ago, Caitrin O’Connor, a junior at Highland, got her digitals taken and posted them on Instagram. A few days later, a Los Angeles based modeling agency called Best Management reached out to her and ended up signing her for development.
Although the modeling world comes with restrictions for people under 18, she has begun her development process. This phase prepares models before they can officially be promoted as one and sent out to clients. Best Management is guiding her through her upcoming career. Her agent, a former model, helps her navigate through meetings and measurements, a process that is exciting but also stressful.
Last summer, she traveled to New York City to meet with different agencies. It was hard being 16 in a world where most companies require models to be over 18. One agency, Marilyn NYC, thought she was a great fit for them and was willing to start development with her, so she signed with them. She will be returning to NYC for spring break and a few weeks over the summer for workshops and test shoots. After she graduates high school, she plans to take a gap year and move to NYC to pursue modeling more. Marilyn plans to launch her when she turns 18.
Modeling might seem like only fun and glamour, but Caitrin has experienced more than that. “Before modeling, I didn’t realize how much work it actually takes. It’s definitely more than just looking good. It’s about 90% preparation and networking, and only about 10% actual jobs. You really have to want it and be committed through development” she explained. A lot of work goes into photo shoots, learning angles, posing and more. Agencies teach all these things to prepare them before sending them to clients, especially in strict places like Paris or Milan.
She’s currently interviewing for a summer placement with Ford Barcelona, which would give her more experience working in Europe. She mentions that Europe is a lot stricter than the U.S., like with measurements, but it is a great place for the development phase.
One of her first shoots was for a luxury boot brand in L.A. called Partlow. She worked with four other models in the apartment and alley of the photographer. She describes it as a very fun experience, but also stressful, because it was very different than other shoots she’s done. One of her favorite parts about the shoot was wearing a vintage set from a 1930s western movie that the photographer borrowed from Universal Studios. Later, she flew back to L.A. for another Partlow shoot at a horse farm. Although it was a long and hot day, it was still fun, and gave her a lot of experience with photo shoots.
She explains how High fashion shoots require a lot of movement, different poses and expressions, and how that can feel awkward. But at the end of the day, she trusts that the photographer knows best. “You can’t take feedback personally,” she said.
Many aspects about modeling are surprising. Vogue cover shoots only pay $163, even if you’re someone as famous as Kendall Jenner. These shoots are more about exposure, which O’Connor is dealing with right now in her development phase. One of the most important parts about her development phase is getting exposure.
While O’Connor never knew much about modeling, she always thought it sounded cool. She was encouraged to try modeling because of her height, but it means more to her than that. “I loved the idea of traveling and experiencing new places and people. I’m a very visual person, so I enjoy being able to create different looks and aesthetics,” she said. Since the very beginning, her mom has been supportive of her as well.
Even though she is still in the development phase, O’Connor has many more modeling opportunities ahead of her. She started with getting her digitals taken and has grown so far past that.