Beyond the Runway: Essential Insights for Aspiring Models from Stephanie Sica

I'm excited to share some insights from my recent chat with the incredibly talented model, Stephanie Sica. Stephanie has been in the modeling industry for about eight years now, and her journey is a fantastic example of passion meeting opportunity, with a lot of hard work in between!

From Political Science to Posing: How Stephanie Sica Fell into Fashion

Stephanie’s path into modeling wasn't exactly planned. She was actually a junior in college, studying political science, with dreams of going to law school. But fate, or rather, her aunt—who was a model for a Home Shopping Network—stepped in. Her aunt encouraged her to attend an open casting call. Stephanie admits she was hesitant, not really believing they'd pick her, but she went anyway. And it turns out, it was a great decision! She felt comfortable with the agency right away, started doing a lot of home shopping modeling for beauty and fashion brands, and then gradually moved into e-commerce, print, and even commercial work.

The Turning Point: When Modeling Became a Career

It’s one thing to do modeling on the side, but it’s another to commit to it as a full-time career. Stephanie shared that she always had a second job up until October 2023. That’s right, just last year! She realized her second job was getting in the way of increasing modeling opportunities, and she decided to go all in.

I asked her about the jobs that really made her see the potential. She mentioned two key experiences:

1. Campaign work for the Home Shopping Network: This was different from the usual on-air or white-background e-commerce shoots. She loved the collaborative, on-location campaigns with cool styling and other models. It was a creative turning point.

2. A commercial for a hotel company: This was the real "Aha!" moment regarding finances. She realized people truly get paid well in the industry, and they even put her up in the hotel! That’s when the financial potential clicked.

The Power of Community and Growth: Model Camp and Beyond

Stephanie and I talked about Blair, another amazing model I’ve worked with, who actually told Stephanie to follow me on Instagram! Blair brings incredible energy and confidence to her shoots, and it turns out, she and Stephanie both attended the same model camp. Stephanie watched Blair and was inspired, curious about how Blair became so good.

For Stephanie, the model camp was equal parts motivating and transformative. It helped her:

• Manage herself as a business, recognizing that modeling is often a solo venture.

• Get out of her comfort zone and try new things.

• Learn from industry pros about everything from posing and runway walks to industry ins and outs.

This experience really kicked off her motivation to pursue modeling seriously and helped her identify avenues for finding work and agencies. She also shared that before the camp, she was quite timid, trying to stick to the "by the book" approach. The camp gave her the confidence to be more bold, channel emotions properly into photos, and experiment. This newfound confidence even led her to book New York Fashion Week – something she never would have attempted before!

Navigating the Industry: Agents, Networking, and Boundaries

Stephanie has a great relationship with her agent, who was instrumental in getting her quick test shoots and experience early on. She emphasized how valuable it was to have access to trade-for-print shoots when starting out, especially as a college student.

When it comes to finding photographers, Stephanie is proactive! She’s often sliding into DMs, following photographers whose work she admires, asking her agents for recommendations, and, most importantly, networking with other models. She noted that models are an incredible resource because they share similar experiences. She also explained how important it is to choose photographers whose style aligns with your goals—whether it's editorial, commercial, or beauty—and to be aware of your own "look" while also being open to creative experimentation.

A crucial piece of advice she offered is about setting boundaries. It’s okay to say no to shoots or outfits that don’t align with your comfort level or style. Your portfolio is your resume, and you want it to reflect the work you truly want to do.

Essential Advice for New Models

Stephanie had some fantastic wisdom to impart to aspiring models:

1. Don't be timid; be yourself: If you have a strong creative idea or feeling about a shoot, voice it. Don’t hold back for fear of seeming "too much" or stupid.

2. Do your research: Always look up the client or brand beforehand to understand their aesthetic and plan your portfolio accordingly.

3. Your portfolio is your resume: Treat it that way and curate it with purpose.

4. Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no to jobs or situations that don’t make you comfortable. You don’t have to say yes to everything and burn yourself out.

5. Utilize resources: Agency websites, other models (especially on social media like TikTok), and open casting calls are all valuable tools. Building a community with other models is incredibly important.

6. Get an accountant and track your finances: As soon as you start getting 1099s, you need to understand expenses, write-offs, and income. It’s an investment in yourself and your business.

7. The most valuable advice? Don't give up! The industry has its ups and downs, and it can be a test of self-confidence. Slow months or rejections aren't permanent. Remember that you can also be a successful freelance model without an agency and connect with makeup artists and photographers to book cool jobs.

Stephanie's journey is a testament to perseverance, self-awareness, and the power of embracing new opportunities. It was a truly insightful conversation, and I’m so grateful she shared her experiences with us.

I'm excited to see what amazing things Stephanie does next! Stay tuned for more interviews.