This is what you call the best of the best jobs for a video vixen. Today, Bria Myles shot for the cover for Chamillionaire’s forthcoming release of “Venom,” the artist’s third studio album. The album is scheduled for release on December 3, 2009.

This job is great for several reasons. First, the shot will just feature Bria and the artist on the cover of the CD and promotional materials. That elevates Bria’s status and builds her exclusivity as a model. This is how Darlene Ortiz and Coco became famous. Second, the pay, which was quite good for five hours work. Lastly, this is the type of job the gives good after burn - it will be in stores and on iTunes forever.

This situation also illustrates why it’s important as a model to build good relationships on set on not alienate hair and make-up artists. This job came through the incredibly talented Tara Copeland, who has styled Bria’s hair in the past (see her website homepage photo). Bria and Tara have a good relationship and when photographer Jonathan Mannion needed suggestions for a model on this job, Tara recommended Bria.



Bria’s shoe selection for the shoot - models eat your heart out, lol...

Tags: Bria Myles

After three years away from the urban modeling game, aspiring novelist Sabrina Hunter has decided to give it another go. I caught up with her recently and took some brand new photos of her, proving she's as gorgeous as ever. I also asked her a little bit about her past in urban modeling and why she decided to give it another go. An accountant studying to obtain her CPA certification, this college graduate is far from your typical urban model. But we'll let her tell you in her own words... (NOTE: All pics can be enlarged by clicking)

When did you first appear in the urban modeling scene and how did you get started/noticed?

I got my first job in a video for Bubba Sparxx and it was arranged for me by a friend. After that video, I was "noticed" by my former manager at an event. I gave her my contact information, she contacted me, and the rest is history.

What were your most prominent jobs once you got started (e.g., music videos and/or magazine appearances)?

I did videos for Kanye West, Jon B., and Fabolous. I was also a cover/feature in the Rookie Edition of Smooth Girl Magazine 2005, and I was in King Magazine with The Game in March 2005.

What made you decide to step away from urban modeling for a while?

The main reason I stepped away from the urban modeling business was due to financial reasons. I do what makes dollars and SENSE. I had just graduated from college with my Bachelor's degree when I was getting the most work and I was ready to see some cash and stability. Modeling full-time didn't provide what I was looking for in a profession, because the work didn't pay enough on a steady basis so I put my degree to work for me instead. I chose to not model part-time, either because the cost was more than the benefit, so I dropped it altogether.

What made you decide to return, even if only in a limited fashion?

I want to make myself visible to the public. I just finished writing my first novel, entitled Skeletons in the Closet, and my desire is to be published, so I'm using modeling as a marketing technique. The novel is about a young woman in LA who falls in love with a man who is a professional football player who turns out to be bisexual.

Are you concerned that urban modeling will come back to haunt you in your professional pursuits, and if not, why?

I'm not concerned because I do what I feel is right for me. Also, there are some things I just won't do. If I'm not comfortable or if I feel something could harm me professionally, I don't do it. I know the urban modeling profession, as a whole, has a pretty bad reputation. As in any profession, there are people who do the right things and there are people who do the wrong things. I just stay professional and let my work speak for itself, whether it's modeling, writing a novel, or preparing financial statements.

If you had any advice for new talent looking to get started in urban modeling, what would it be?

First, decide where you want to go with modeling, create a plan and then go for it. Second of all, stay professional and true to yourself and your plan. Set boundaries and don't compromise yourself or your plan. Realize anything and everything you do in your personal and professional life has the ability to get you closer to your goal or haunt you and inhibit you later.



Look for another blog entry about Sabrina later this week with additional photos. Meanwhile, enjoy some of her oldies below and shout her out on Twitter...

Tags: Sabrina Hunter

I shot Alysha recently for a magazine editorial and this girl is the real deal. Good head on her shoulders, no tattoos, in college. Between set ups during the shoot all she did was sit over in the corner and read a book. She's skeptical of the urban industry, so I'm not sure how much more we'll see of her, but we could certainly use more quality models like this in the game.

Tags: Alysha Young

Suddenly, Mileena Hayes is the new hotness on the net. She’s been around for a while, but people seem to be really feeling her now. Here are a few rarely seen shots. Click to enlarge.

Mileena’s Twitter here.
Mileena’s Myspace here.

Tags: Mileena Hayes

Once upon a time, when big booties ruled the earth, there was one model bigger and badder than them all. Tasha Destiny was her name. Due to circumstances we still can’t explain, the giganticus bootycus species disappeared from the urban model landscape without a trace, although a few occasionally show up here and there and wreak havoc on the countryside.

Tags: Tasha Destiny

Click to enlarge.

Dollicia’s Twitter and Myspace.

Tags: Dollicia Bryan

Hoopz isn’t as hot as she used to be, but she’s still got a diehard fan or two out there. So for those fans, here are a few Hoopz pics I had never seen.

Tags: Hoopz

The closest I’ll ever get to Tyra Banks is having my photography featured in the same scene she was in in John Singleton’s “Higher Learning” (see poster behind Tyra and Omar Epps below). Back when that movie came out, I was photographing a calendar called The Darker Image that was getting some hype. Singelton’s production office called and asked if they could use some of the photos as props in the dorm rooms of characters. He was really cool and invited me and my business partner down to the set to see where the stuff was used and watch them film scenes. I was just a kid and was very impressed with the whole process. Ah, the good old days.

Tags: Tyra Banks

Which is looking good as all outdoors. Erin gives new meaning to the word Amazon.

Tags: Erin Adams

Looks like Jenna is going to be on the cover of the newest Straight Stuntin' magazine. Check out behind-the-scenes of the shoot here.

Tags: Jenna Shea

She’s been around over a year but I’ve never seen the beautiful Candace in any of the major mag (e.g., BlackMen, SHOW or Smooth). I wonder why?

At any rate, you can see more of her here: www.myspace.com/candacelips and http://www.modelmayhem.com/1047793

Tags: Candace

As you may or may not know, Dollicia was in a flick called See Dick Run starring Kel Mitchell of Kenan and Kel fame. Well, for those of you who don't want to try find this movie, here is her clip. Be warned, there’s some sex in it, although I doubt that will bother most of you. I thought she was okay - I could see an early Stacey Dash. The camera definitely likes her.

Click link to see video (you’ll need Quicktime):

Dollicia-SeeDickRun

Tags: Dollicia Bryan

This is a shot of Bria Myles that didn’t make the cut for the most recent 40 on 40 BlackMen issue. It was taken by Import Eye Candy Models, which takes some hot shots and has hooked Bria up with some nice jobs of late. Aspiring models take note: Charles is a good person to know.

Tags: Bria Myles

This is Miss Koi from last night.

Tags: Miss Koi, Koi

Many more pics at Show Girlz Exclusive, so check it out...

Tags: Laura Dore

Browse around Vanessa Veasley’s Twitter page and you’ll see that this model and SHOW mag editor is more than just a pretty face - she’s got a good head on her shoulders. That last pic suggests she used be a little thicker at one point though. (Click to enlarge)

Tags: Vanessa Veasley

Sorry for the inconvenience folks. I’m trying to come up with a new and improved layout for the site. Notice the new “search” feature. It may be a little while before everything works right though. In the meantime, enjoy these Koi pics.

Tags: Miss Koi

If there's one thing I've learned over the years of looking at photos and taking them is that when you see a magazine cover or advertisement that catches your eye, you gotta save it. Buy it, scan it, TIVO it. Whatever it takes, because you may not see it again and later you will want to use that photo as a reference for your own shoot. With the internet, it's gotten a little easier to find old pics from magazines, but it can still be difficult with the obscure mags that aren't cataloged so well, like Nylon.
Today I bought this French issue of Elle because I like the photo of model/actress Nora Arnezeder on the cover and inside. This safari chic look would work well with a certain urban model I know. But 6 six months from now this magazine might be impossible for me to find.

Tags: Nora Arnezeder

Interested in seeing more of her.... Props to NEP for some excellent photography.
Aspiring models take note: this is how you do more without giving it all away. There is no winning the “thong wars” so keep it creative and interesting.

One of my favorite models.

Tags: Miss Koi, Koi

Tags: Bria Myles

This blog entry features Temeca Freeman from BlackMen magazine and Brittany from SHOW magazine. I couldn’t find anything on Brittany, which strikes me as odd. Why bother being in one of these magazines if you can’t even be reached for other opportunities that may come from the publicity? NOTE: There are more pics of each in the respective issues, so check them out if you like them. (Click to enlarge)

Tags: Temeca, Brittany

In celebration of her website opening tonight, here are the latest Laura Dore pics from XXL’s Eyecandy spread of her. Congrats Laura!

Tags: Laura Dore

So Bria just shot today with famed photographer Charlie Langella. I can't say what it's for, but it is significant news in the urban modeling community. So when it's finally announced, just remember that it was known as of today by Indo.

Tags: Bria Myles

What’s this TheBesFantasySports.com all about?

Tags: Melyssa Ford

Wow, so this is the first time I’m featuring Diznee on this site. That’s surprising. Anyway, the new “Art of Sexy” SHOW magazine looks to be their answer to the ever increasing demands for more skin in the urban eye candy genre-- the ethnic woman’s answer to Playboy. Very classy photography and styling, even if it is essentially the same location used in nearly all the pictures.
SHOW is still, page for page, the best game in town as far as urban eye candy in my opinion. That doesn’t mean it’s as good as it could be, however. Simply put, SHOW is boring. The poses and the photography are repetitive. These guys somehow manage to make beautiful women come off as lifeless mannequins. I mean these models emote zero! It seems to be all about looking perfect at SHOW, even if it’s at the expense of realism. Maybe this problem lies more the models than with SHOW.
Anyway, this issue boasts nudity, but there really isn’t much in it, and none of the bigger name models like Diznee. Loving that horizontal shot of her on the chair. (Click to enlarge).

Tags: Diznee

This is why a subscription to SHOW is worth it. They have so much content, you can't even find it all in one sitting.
I shot with Suelyn recently. This girl has one twisted sense of humor, and she’s a great model. Join her on Twitter here. (Click to enlarge)

Tags: Suelyn Medeiros

I don’t really know what to make of Halie. In some pics - most pics even - she looks pretty good to me. But I’ve seen some shots from her Myspace that weren’t so hot, and I’m not just talking about the photography. At any rate, she’s on the cover of the latest issue of BlackMen and she looks really good inside. So for now, she gets a thumbs up. (I’ve added one SHOW pic as a bonus). If you wanna see a whole bunch of pics of her, you can download them here (compliments of Wasabi): http://www.sendspace.com/file/b4y5v3

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Tags: Halie