Tag Archives: model

Haute Mom: Kalyn James

Kalyn-James-colorBGName: Kalyn Chapman James
Children & Ages: Phoenix, 11 and Zen, 7
Hometown/Current Location: Lives in Miami, FL, and is from Mobile, AL
Quick Bio: Kalyn Chapman James is the Host of Art Loft. She is a native of Mobile, Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. An accomplished dancer and choreographer Kalyn has danced since the age of nine. She served as a television journalist on The Fox Sports Network’s show Behind the Game, and she is the first, and only, African-American woman to be crowned Miss Alabama (1993) where she placed as a top ten semi-finalist in the 1994 Miss America Pageant. She has danced professionally for the Universal Dance Association and Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney/MGM) in Orlando, Florida.

Kalyn’s been working in the arts since moving to Miami in 2003. She worked as a teaching artist for Arts for Learning Miami where she instructed after school programs in some of Miami’s most under-served communities, including Wynwood and Overtown, and at Girl Power in Liberty City. She’s performed in the MTV Video Music Awards, the Latin Video Music Awards, the Latin Billboard Awards, as well as danced and choreographed for the Univision and Telemundo Television Networks in Miami. She has worked extensively as an events emcee, a print and television model, appearing on the pages of Glamour, Ebony, Essence, Jet, and O Magazine, and has been featured in national commercials for Crocs, Hershey’s Air Delights Chocolate Candy, Old Navy and Walt Disney World. She currently teaches fitness classes at Ironflower Fitness Miami and is also the Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator for the Adrienne Arsht Center, where she secures funding to support the Center’s education and outreach programs. Kalyn also hosts her own lifestyle vlog, Fashion Style Miami! You can see art loft on WPBT2 on Tuesdays at 7:30pm or watch episodes online at www.wpbt2.org/artloft. Catch Fashion Style Miami at www.facebook.com/therealfashionstylemiami. Follow her on twitter and Instagram: @kalynjames and @fashionstylemia

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: I remind them that it’s important to be kind to one another. I encourage them to read and if all else fails get out the iPod or iPad!

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: Being a mommy is the ULTIMATE responsibility. I feel it’s important to lead your children by example regardless of your career choice. If you are a stay at home mom or a corporate executive, it is important to teach your children how to commit to and execute their responsibilities well and how to balance responsibility with a decent quality of life. In addition to being a great leader in work, you must remember to take time for yourself. Whether a walk in the park, a weekly exercise class, or a monthly massage – you must find time to recharge and show them that life requires balance. By doing the things I love – I keep my sense of self. I work in the performing arts, I host a TV show which is one of my dreams come true and I teach fitness classes which is a great stress release for me.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Cherish every moment. Time passes so quickly so it’s important to hold them near and cherish each moment and every smile.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: I teach fitness classes a few times a week at Ironflower Fitness Miami. This allows me to work out, get paid to do it and inspire other women to feel and look their best! When I can’t work out, I try to take the stairs, take a walk on my lunch break or find a way to be active on the weekends, including playing Just Dance with my kids! It can really help you break a sweat! And, no, I don’t show my kids any mercy. I have the high score on every routine! At least while I can!! Lol!

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Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: Tough fun love.

Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: I like Key Largo or any island destination where we can swim, snorkel and fish. I also like to see national monuments like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and The Empire State Building because travel is a great way to learn about your country!

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I talk to my girls about life and hold them to high standards in terms of discipline and responsibility, while still encouraging them to be kids. I expose them to physical fitness, education and culture and encourage their creativity and individuality. I give them lots of love and hugs and I apologize when I have done something wrong. They never doubt how much I love them and this builds their self-confidence. When they go places, stranger will approach me and say how well behaved they are and this means a great deal to me.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: I’ve learned that no matter how hard you try, you will never be a perfect person nor parent. You can merely do the best you can to learn, love, encourage and sacrifice to be the best mother you can be. I’ve also learned that time flies and that I am capable of juggling responsibilities and handling much more than I ever thought possible. Also, I have learned that crying is very therapeutic – and so is laughter!

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: I love fashion and I take risks. This has spilled over to my girls and we have a great time deciding what we might wear to an event. I enjoy both the corporate and arts world at work so I can be more expressive and creative in my wardrobe choices. I have a fashion vlog called Fashion Style Miami and the girls often see me interviewing people about design so they understand fashion. I love designer shoes and mix high-low wardrobe choices to create a look all my own. You might see me in a Peter Pilotto for Target skirt and Chanel shoes! But more than anything, I stress that style is more about individuality and personality than it is about how much you spend on clothes. Confidence is the best accessory!

Q: What’s the best surprise you’ve ever done for your kids/family?
A: Taken them to a concert for Mindless Behavior and Diggy Simmons complete with a backstage meet and greet. Which makes me feel like I need to work on something a bit more special! Haha

JAmes girls

Haute Mom: Sarah Coggin

thxgiv2013-2724-EditName: Sarah Coggin
Children & Ages: Araya Sunshyne (3.5), Cruz Aedyn (9months)
Hometown/Current Location: Mesa, AZ
Quick Bio: I’m a former NFL Cheerleader. I’m a model/ spokesperson/ actor with the Ford Robert Black Agency here in Phoenix. Since having children I discovered my love for photography. Taking pictures of my daughter became an obsession and I just had to get a “real” camera and learn how to use it. During my second pregnancy when the modeling jobs obviously weren’t an option, I started supplementing my income doing family photography. Maternity shoots, family photos, newborn pics etc. and I absolutely love it. My many years in front of the camera working with amazing photographers really gave me a great knowledge and perspective when I went behind the camera. My photography business “Sunshyne Pix” is named after my daughter Araya Sunshyne since she was my inspiration to start it. You can visit my photography website at www.sunshynepix.com. Like my page on facebook.com/sunshynepix. I also still have my professional modeling/ acting website www.sarahcoggin.com

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: I always have snacks with me. I keep Special K breakfast bars and gold fish for my daughter, and for the little guy I always have Mum Mums and Puffs. Those will always distract them from their fussiness for a bit. I mean I get super grumpy when I’m hungry too.

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: Its easy to lose your sense of “me” when you have little ones, but I make sure I get time to exercise. Just knowing you are doing something that’s good for “you” helps keep me sane. My girlfriends and I have monthly parties where we get together and have a different theme. Girls love to dress up so each month it’s something different and fun. It’s really important to try and do date night with your man,  dress up, look pretty, and have time alone. And a manicure and pedicure work wonders.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Nursing is the best thing for both you and your baby.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: I just joined a gym in November so I’ve been going 3-4 times a week since then. But before that I got a great jogging stroller and would go walk/run 5 days a week with the kids. I still do a couple days a week because it’s so nice out right now. I would also do work outs on you tube. Fitness Blender has 100’s of great quick videos so you can choose what you want to work on.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I’m pretty easy going. I’m not the schedule type. I mean they are on a tentative schedule but it’s a “go with the flow” kind of thing. If they are tired, I put them down for a nap. If they are having fun and partying on, they can keep going.

Q: Share your best or favorite place for a family vacation and tell us why.
A: We do a week in San Diego every year. It’s just so much fun. Chilling on the beach. Paddle boarding, surfing, riding our beach cruisers, eating seafood and just hanging with friends in family near the ocean. Good times always.

pregoshoot
Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: I really loved doing my 2nd maternity shoot with my daughter. She was so good and we got some awesome pictures that I absolutely cherish.

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I am a little crazy about my kids having good manners and not being the “bratty mean child.” I really try to work with them on the importance of good manners and being nice to others. And my kids get to do a lot of fun stuff. They go to the lake with us. They go to the sand dunes with us. Hopefully we will get a trip to the snow this year. But I really want them to have a ton of life experiences, and not be afraid of new things.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: Since becoming a mom a lot of the superficial things have totally left my life. Worrying about petty drama, or being “seen” at the bars and clubs is a total waste of time. My time to be selfish and live for me is over and now I live for my family and it’s way more rewarding. But I do recommend having that time to be young and free. I didn’t start my family until I was 30, so my 20’s were all about traveling, working, partying so I got it all out of my system and I was totally ready and willing and excited to “settle down” and do the mom thing.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: Its important to not just let yourself go because you’re a mom. I still keep up with the trends and try to look cute when I go out in public. I mean of course I grocery shop in my sweats and work out clothes now and then. But even my kids notice when I take the time to make myself look good. My daughter had a meltdown the other night because she forgot to tell me I looked pretty when I left the house. My style I’d say is little hippy-ish / rock n roll meets red carpet.

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Maternity Modeling

Screen shot 2013-11-17 at 2.14.51 PM

When I became pregnant the first time around, I was signed to a modeling agency that is named, and specializes in “Expecting Models.” I figured it would be a great opportunity to possibly pick up some extra work (and cash) with my growing belly. Well, while I was submitted and considered for several jobs the first pregnancy, I did not get booked for any jobs until my second pregnancy. During my second pregnancy I was luck y enough to be in the right place at the right time! The place being Miami and the time being about 16 weeks pregnant with a small baby bump. It was a fun shoot for American Baby magazine in the Florida Keys. And — as you can see in the print (above) that made the cut, it was for a maternity swim spread! It was published in their May 2013 issue.

Now if you are thinking about maternity modeling and are interested in putting your belly to work, here are some helpful tips on how to possibly find work and/or know if it’s for you:

Getting workExpecting Models is the only one (in the US) who specifically represents pregnant models, and they have locations in NYC and LA or you can submit to other agencies if they have a maternity division. If you’re interested in getting signed, you’ve got to act quickly because it’s a small window of time that your are pregnant!
Location – For the most part you need to be in LA or NYC to be booked, as most of the go-sees and castings are held in one of the 2 cities. Since I’m based in Miami, there are occasional opportunities in the area, but I was also willing to travel to NYC for work.
Photos – Many of the women who work as maternity models are already working models and have photos to show their work. When you have a growing belly, it is important to provide current photos every few weeks, since your shape/size will be changing quickly.
Up Keep – And, since jobs can pop up very quickly, you need to maintain your physical fitness and appearance during your pregnancy to be ready to go!

If any of the above doesn’t sound like it’ll work for you, I would recommend checking local classifieds like craigslist where there may be job posts for pregnant models or contact an agency in the city you live in to see if they may have any upcoming jobs for maternity models. Good luck!