Expert: Kitty Kavey - 5/31/2008

Question
Hi kitty i am having issues with my eyes contact with the camera, when i try to squint my eyes and make them have intensity my one is always smaller than my other eye.  I don't know if that is bad or good but it does not look good so what should i do to correct it.  And i was thinkin of growing facial hair(Am tryin to become a male model) but i heard modeling agencies don't like that, is that true?  And i last ? sometimes in my pictures the bottom of my eyelids look wrinkled is there anything to fix that?Sorry i have so many questions
tie

Answer
There's a couple of things you can try - one would be of course to not squint.  With experience in front of a camera (or even a mirror) you learn what works best for your shape and look.  If the thought is in your head that one eye (with squinting) is smaller than the other, that may be also making you more uncomfortable, which could be resulting in "posed" or unnatural looking images.

The other thing I would suggest, is to make sure that your eyesight hasn't changed lately.  Sometimes if one eye closes more or reacts more than another, it can be a sign of a difference in vision in that eye, or a change in vision overall.  Any qualified eye doctor should be able to tell you whether or not the squinting being different in one eye than the other, is connected to your vision.

The other thing is too - in the end, it doesn't matter so much what you think and how you feel about your looks.  When you are working with a photographer, and they tell you something useful (look more intense is subjective and open to interpretation) like "chin up" or "give me a serious look, not smiling" then you do it and they won't use the photo if it doesn't suit (you, the product, or the client).

As for the facial hair, it's something where unless you are a character actor with a full beard, you should have examples of what you look like with and without.  

Styles come and go, and you need to be flexible with the times, and the jobs that you get.  So if the client or your agent says they want you to be clean-shaven, it's in your best interest to comply.  If they love the 5 o'clock shadow, or a goatee or whatever your personal style is, then stick with that.  Part of your agent's job is to have the skills to and advise you on what would work best for your look, and their market.

As for your last question - it could be that it relates to the squinting issue, and if you're not squinting, there are no wrinkles.  Or if your skin is dry or you're not currently keeping yourself hydrated enough, your eyelids may temporarily be wrinkling in photos.  You can try professional skincare/facials, or over-the-counter products, and certainly make sure you are properly hydrated (which means also limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and don't smoke) in addition to drinking water.  If your skin has been damaged by too much sun tanning, a dermatologist can advise you on facial skincare to help with that.

But again, your job is just to look as good as you can look, and make the most of what you have to work with.  Other models learn to turn what might be considered a flaw (such as a facial mole, a space between the teeth, piercings, tattoos) into their trademark, or just a non-issue.  Although fashion modeling does have lots of height, size and age requirements, even fashion models without perfect skin, a perfect shape, or symmetric features can and do work.

Good luck to you,
~Kitty