It’s been awhile since I’ve featured a cover model on the blog, but today, we have our very own “Andrew” (his real name is Benjamin) to discuss being on the cover of “The Edge of Always“, his photo shoot, and his own personal interests. Here’s a hint: he’s a musician. 😉
1. You yourself are a musician, as is the character you modeled for EDGE OF ALWAYS. Can you talk about your experience (both as a model and as a musician?)
Well that is an interesting fact. Music started playing a pretty significant role in my life when I started playing guitar in high school, from there I began singing and then writing my own songs. My love of music grew and I realized that my long term goal has always been to develop a career through my music. I didn’t enter into the world of modeling until later in my life, actually only about three years ago, as a means of supporting myself financially to fund my path in music. I found modeling to be rather enjoyable and closely enough related to being a musician. Whether being in front of a crowd of people or a camera, it still gave me the means to express myself and the ability to connect with people. I quickly realized that both these jobs benefit the other by networking and meeting new people and expanding my possibilities. Recently I haven’t been doing too much modeling work, I have been focusing more on my music on putting together an album. I continue to write songs and I have been performing throughout New York City. Actually this month I will be competing in the Ultimate Singer Songwriter Contest at the Waltz Astoria. Also in the upcoming months I plan on getting some fresh test shots to get back into the modeling world.
2. How were you contacted about this modeling gig? Were you told anything about the book?
This was quite a random and unexpected shot. I hooked up with the photographer Richard Tuschman who found me through modelmayhem.com. This was when I was freelancing and I created profile with some test shots that I had done earlier. Modelmayhem can be a very lucrative site for models. It is a great way to network and meet photographers, just as I did which led to the cover of this book. So the truth is actually I was casted by the photographer for a western novel in which I was a wounded cowboy. That was the original purpose of the shoot, however we also did a bunch of studio shoots where ultimately one was selected for the cover of this book. So as you could Imagine I wasn’t told anything about the book and it all came as one big surprise to me. Richard contacted me through email quite some time after the shot to let me know that one of our shots was selected for the cover of this book. I guess I had more in common with Andrew than with a wounded cowboy.
3. Can you talk about the experience on the set/shoot?
Well like I said I was originally there to shoot for a different novel. It started with me staring out a window with a bandage over my head to becoming the face of Andrew. After Richard was happy with what we got for the western novel we decided to take some more shots in his studio. It was a pretty basic shot, Richard was great to work with and did a fantastic job.
4. Have you been recognized at all for being on the cover of the book? If so we’d love to hear the story!
Well this all came as quite a surprise. I didn’t expect to be on the cover of this particular book. When I first heard that I would be from Richard, I was unaware of the popularity of the author and the anticipation of this novel. It was quite a shock when my friends approached me about it after seeing it on Kindle or in the New York Times. I didn’t even have to tell anyone since most people found it on there own, that is when I realized that I was portraying a pretty popular guy, Andrew. In this case since the book was a sequel and Andrew was already a developed character it was quite the experience becoming the face of a character that people have all ready connected with and have come to love.
You can find out more by visiting his Facebook page and his modeling page:
- Music page: https://www.facebook.com/bfiege3
- Model Mayhem: https://www.modelmayhem.com/benf
Great interview, Maryse! 🙂 And Ben’s music is so beautiful! Thanks for doing the interview!
My pleasure!! This was great! 😀
Would LOVE to see the face behind the book Remy…:-D
Lovely interview Maryse! It’s great to finally put a name to a face 😀
Beautiful man!
love this! the fact that it was a surprise is just one of the best stories!! 😀 thanks for doing the interview!