My Debut NonFiction is Out Now!

Well, folks. I DID A THING. A rather large, book-shaped thing, actually… And after all the time, effort, experience, and words that went into it, I can finally say that my debut nonfiction book, So, You Wanna Model?, is out now on Kindle and Amazon!

You can find the book here: AMAZON

This one feels particularly special to share because modeling is an industry I've experienced from a few different angles, and there are plenty of things I wish someone had sat me down and explained when I was first finding my footing. I learned through experience, made my way into situations I hadn't initially anticipated, and discovered just how much there is to understand about the business side of an industry that can look deceptively simple from the outside.
Good thing I love optimization and sharing details!

So naturally, I wrote a book about it.~

The original announcement poster I had made! And now my new nonfiction is actually available for purchase!

So, You Wanna Model? Well, Let's Talk About It!

First things first: this isn't a posing guide, and it isn't a beginner's manual about how to look pretty in front of a camera. There are already plenty of resources out there to help you practice posing, find your angles, and figure out what to do with your hands when someone tells you to stand naturally. (Seriously, WHY is standing naturally suddenly the most unnatural thing in the world when a camera comes out?)

So, You Wanna Model? takes a much closer look at the commercial modeling and talent industry itself: how to navigate it, how to approach opportunities, how to work professionally, and how to protect yourself while you're building experience.
We're talking real industry considerations, useful resources, booking gigs, understanding contracts, recognizing red flags, identifying predatory behavior, and learning how to conduct yourself safely and professionally on set. (Because there's a whole lot more to modeling than showing up, having your picture taken, and hoping somebody pays you!)

If you're interested in modeling yourself or you're a photographer, creative professional, or business owner who wants to work with models, understanding how this industry operates can make a tremendous difference in how you approach it.

I want this book to help readers feel better equipped to ask questions, evaluate opportunities, understand professional expectations, and make informed decisions as they get started.

How on Earth Did I End Up Writing This?

Funny story: I originally got into photography before modeling ever entered the picture.
I was working as a photographer when a model hired me, and suddenly I found myself on the other side of an experience I had previously approached from behind the camera. I didn't really know what they were looking for from me, what the expectations were, or how I was supposed to navigate the opportunity.

I decided to audition for a modeling agency. (And I actually got a spot!)

Sporadically, life hands you an unexpected opportunity, and you either take a chance on it or spend the next several years wondering what might have happened if you had. I took the chance, and that experience opened the door to an industry I hadn't originally planned on entering.

Getting involved in modeling gave me a different perspective on the creative work I was already doing. It introduced me to the business considerations, professional boundaries, and practical questions that come with working in an industry where your appearance, your time, your image, and your personal safety can all become part of the equation.
The more I learned, the more I recognized how much a newcomer might need to understand before they ever book their first job.

That brings us to this book!

Who Is This Book For?

Short answer? A whole lot of people.
If you've ever thought about modeling but felt like you didn't quite fit the mold, I'd love for you to give this book a look.

You're short and assume that automatically rules you out. Maybe you're thick, curvy, or built differently from the people you usually see in advertisements. OR, you're a parent who would love to explore modeling— but you have limited childcare, a packed schedule, and approximately seventeen other responsibilities competing for your attention.
Maybe you're a teenager who's curious about the industry but worried about encountering creeps, being pressured into uncomfortable situations, or not knowing how to tell a legitimate opportunity from a questionable one.
These concerns deserve to be taken seriously. You deserve practical information that helps you approach opportunities thoughtfully, understand professional boundaries, and recognize when something doesn't feel right!

I also wrote this with people in mind who are new to working with models. Photographers, creatives, and others entering talent-related work may have questions about professional expectations, booking arrangements, contracts, and the responsibilities involved in working together.
You may wonder why some models cancel suddenly, or you may learn that you’re giving off weird vibes you weren’t aware of.

You don't have to know everything before you begin. You do, however, deserve the chance to learn what you're getting into. That's exactly the sort of information I wanted to put into this book.

Let's Talk About the Stuff People Don't Always Explain

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to write So, You Wanna Model? was to get into the practical side of the industry.

It's easy to become excited about the creative possibilities of modeling. You imagine the photoshoots, the campaigns, the opportunities to express yourself, and the possibility of turning something you enjoy into paid work. This can be wonderful! But there's another side to the experience that deserves just as much attention.

How do you evaluate an opportunity? What should you understand before agreeing to a booking? What do you need to know about contracts? How do you conduct yourself professionally on set, and what should you do when somebody's behavior raises concerns?
How do you protect yourself when you're new to an environment where other people may have considerably more experience than you do? These questions matter, and I wanted to give them the attention they deserve.

Safety is particularly important to me when we're talking about young people and newcomers. Anyone entering an unfamiliar industry should have access to information that helps them recognize warning signs, establish boundaries, and make informed choices about the people and projects they engage with.
The goal is to approach opportunities with both enthusiasm and a healthy understanding of the professional realities involved.~

You can be excited about your future and still ask questions. You can be grateful for an opportunity and still read the contract. You can be new to the industry and still expect to be treated with respect! In fact, I'd argue that learning to do those things is part of becoming a more confident professional.

Why I Wanted to Put All of This Into One Book

There's something satisfying about taking knowledge you've accumulated through experience and turning it into a resource that other people can use. My own entry into modeling wasn't something I'd carefully planned from the beginning. It grew out of my photography work, an unexpected opportunity, and a willingness to explore something unfamiliar.

That experience is part of what made me want to share what I've learned.

I wanted to create a resource for people who are curious about modeling, but don't necessarily know where to start— especially those who may feel intimidated by the industry or unsure whether they belong in it.
I also wanted to address the practical details that can get lost when conversations about modeling focus entirely on appearances, portfolios, and posing. There are real business considerations involved. There are professional expectations to understand, agreements to review, people to evaluate, and decisions to make. There are also tons of individual circumstances that can affect how someone approaches the industry, from their experience level to their personal responsibilities and available resources. I wanted to make room for those realities.

This book is my way of bringing that knowledge together into something people can refer to as they begin exploring their options. My hope is that it helps readers approach the industry with more information, more confidence in their ability to ask questions, and a clearer understanding of what professional participation can involve.

If it helps somebody recognize a red flag before getting themselves into a bad situation? That would make the work especially worthwhile.

So, What's Next?

Well, hopefully, more people getting their hands on this book! ♡

Publishing my debut nonfiction is a milestone I'm genuinely excited about. Writing a book means taking a collection of knowledge, ideas, and experiences and turning them into something another person can sit down with, learn from, and hopefully put to good use. I took a lot of time verifying the resources I list in the back of the book, and while I hope nobody ever has to put them to use, they should be able to rest easy the next few years knowing those will still be active and available. (It took me several years to finally publish this, and I had found those sources back then, having verified each both times, very specifically.)

If you're an aspiring model, a teenager curious about the industry, a parent exploring opportunities for yourself, or a creative professional who wants to understand the business of working with models, I'd love for you to check out So, You Wanna Model?
My industry vets, I’d be honored to hear what you think!

You can find the book here: AMAZON

If you know someone who's been thinking about getting into modeling, feel free to send this their way! You never know when a resource like this might come in handy.

Thank you for being here, supporting my work, and giving me a place to share the things I create. Whether you've followed Cozy for a while, or you've only just stumbled across my little corner of the internet, I'm glad you're here!

Here's to trying new things, sharing what we learn, and helping more people find their footing in unfamiliar territory. To my fellow aspiring, emerging, and established creatives: may your opportunities be exciting, your contracts readable, your boundaries respected, and your professional experiences full of people who treat you well.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go be excited about the fact that I WROTE A WHOLE BOOK. A WHOLE BOOK!!! It can appear anywhere! It’s an ebook, it’s available in both paper- and hardback!

You can find the book here: AMAZON
Be sure to follow along on Facebook!