An Interview with Cover Model Jason Aaron Baca:
Hi Jason. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview. I think most folks know the basics, you model for romance magazine and novel covers as well as promos, so why don't we attack this from another point of view. *bg* I know my readers truly are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so let's get started...
-RaH: Tell us about your break into the world of modeling. Where were you? How did you feel? Were you nervous?
Jason: Well I was discovered while on location for the movie "I know what you did last summer" I was the double for Freddie Prinze Jr. and the photographer for the movie approached me. I was excited about the opportunity and nervous since I didn't know what to do.
-RaH: Was modeling a goal? If not, when did you realize that you would like to be a model?
Jason: My original goal in life was to be a professional baseball player but when that didn't pan out, modeling was next on the list. I'd always had a desire to do modeling when I was young , I just didn't know where to begin.
-RaH: Did you always have an interest in developing a fabulous body, or did you have a previous or current career for which you had to be in great shape?
Jason: Well in baseball I had to be in good shape with my cardio so when that ended, I picked it right back up when I got into modeling and incorporated lifting weights too. Before lifting weights I was always insecure about what people thought about my body. I'd often hide it with a baggy shirt.
-RaH: What was your biggest surprise about the life of a cover model/model? (Good or Bad)
Jason: My biggest surprise was how I could go into a shoot looking bloated and my face is puffy and I know it won't look good. But then when I see myself on a cover of a magazine after they've done all their photoshop stuff, I look good! And here I'd be predicting the worst!
-RaH: I know some covers feature couples, do you have any favourites among the models when couples are needed?
Jason: You know I don't really have a favorite. When it comes to posing with a female model, it takes two to make the shot work. I've done shoots where we both don't have direction on how to pose together because we are so used to posing solo. Everything feels awkward because here you have this complete stranger in front of you and you are suppose to act in love or something. The whole thing is a major challenge.
-RaH: Do you like/enjoy your work?
Jason: I love doing modeling when I have a good art director and photographer. They give me good direction and they keep their hands to themselves. I like the photographers that can just show you from their own stance how they'd like you to pose, and then you can copycat.
-RaH: What do you like best/least about being a successful model?
Jason: What I like most about being a model is that it keeps me healthy, eating clean & in the gym. What I dislike about it is some of the reactions you get from people when they hear of your career. Some are just completely put off by it and label you as an arrogant, self loathed person. Yes, us models have to take care of our bodies and I believe in taking care of myself.
-RaH: Can you share a favourite story or two from your experiences?
Jason: Well sure, I have had many fun experiences doing shoots. Probably the most memorable and embarrassing one was when I had to go on location for a Speedo shoot. It was when I first started modeling and I wasn't mentally prepared. When I arrived at the scene I shook hands with a few of the guys and then the photographer said "Here, put on these" and handed me a pair of tiny speedos. They had me run out in the ocean with them on and walk around acting cool. All I can say is, it was VERY VERY cold that day!
-RaH: What sort of hours does a cover model/model normally work? What sort of locations?
Jason: Usually I'll work between 2-5 hours on a shoot. It really depends on the production side. I'm a fast person at getting the look they want. Locations have been everywhere. I mainly get stuff where they have me fly to LA and I'll be in a studio. The outdoor stuff isn't as useable it seems.
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General Stats:
Birthday: 10/22/1973
Height: 5'10"
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Latest Cover: "The Legend of Michael" (Nov.'2010)
Favourite Cover: "Wings"
Fan Contact Information: http://www.hmmodels.com/
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-RaH: Do you work outside of modeling? If so...How do your two careers fit? Do your coworkers and friends know you are a cover model?
Jason: Yes I've had a job for 10+ yrs. and been able to do this just fine. Most of my coworkers know what I do but they keep to themselves about it. There are a few that are/were interested. Now that it’s been so long, it's soaked in now and they just see me as a regular guy with a regular life.
-RaH: Does your modeling affect how your friends/colleagues/clients look at you? If not, what did you say when you quit, and how did your former colleagues react?
Jason: When things were at their best in my modeling career people did look at me differently and some were a little fake even. They'd always smile when they'd talk to me. I could see right through that. Now that things have calmed down in my life with it, it’s more on an even playing field which is how I like to operate. I used to want the world to know I was a model, now I'd rather let them figure it out on their own.
-RaH: What do your friends and family think about your choice in pursuing a modeling career?
Jason: My family was never a big fan of it, they'd look at my photos and just act like they were excited for me, but they weren't. It was a one man show with no backup for me. I had a goal that no one else encouraged me to keep going with. And they are still the same today.
-RaH: What is your schedule like as a result? Do you have enough time for friends and family?
Jason: I have a pretty private lifestyle. It’s me and my wife, we spend all our times together. I have a few other close friends that I go to the gym with and do sports activities with.
-RaH: I've heard that you are a person of many talents and interests. Can you tell me what some of your other interests are?
Jason: I have so many things in life that I like to pursue. One of my favorite things is following the stock market. If the market is down I'm interested in buying, if the market is up, then I start imaging how high all my stocks are going to go.. I get it right with regards to when to buy a stock, now I just need to learn when to sell it! :)
Besides that I enjoy writing and have published 3 books in the past 6 years. I've completed another one that is a fiction book about a kid that has a chance of reliving his baseball dream but haven't managed to find a publisher for it ... yet.
-RaH: Do you have any opportunities in your career to make use of them?
Jason: Yes I've been given many opportunities the way I see it and I make use of them in every way possible.
-RaH: Being popular and famous can have its rewards and drawbacks, what to you like best about the attention? The least?
Jason: The reward to it is that you see yourself on this cover of this magazine or book and you can say, "hey, that's me on there! Look everybody!" It’s a really elated feeling. The drawbacks are those that think that you are self gloating about it when you aren't and then you find yourself explaining yourself to those that you are a nice person that is just a really happy person.
-RaH: I know some people prefer photo shoots to videos. Do you have any favourite people to work with i.e. photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and why?
Jason: I enjoyed all 200+ photographers I've worked with. They have all been very kind to me. Dean Keefer & Keith Munyan were probably the most memorable. They had a really nice studio in LA, they are easy to be around and work with, and just professional photographers. You know when you are working with those two that you are working on a big project.
-RaH: Where do you call home, and do you mind the traveling you must have to do?
Jason: Well if I'm gone for a while then I'll call home but I live close to LA . Usually the shoots only last for a day or 2 so I'm right back at my pad.
-RaH: If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
Jason: If I told you the wish then I hear that would have a negative effect on the wish. I guess I will just have to keep it bundled up for a long time Tik Tok...
-RaH: Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about you, or about where they might be able to see you in person in the future?
Jason: Well my first 2 books are on modeling and I am sure that if they have read up to this part of the interview, they'd be interested in reading them. They are available on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com / Journey of a Male Model (2004) & Overexposed (2007)
Thank you very much for taking the time with me and answering my questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule, and I hope my readers will appreciate it as well. Good Luck Jason, and we will be looking forward to your next cover!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Visit Jason's Web Site Agency contact info/fan mail etc. Photo Gallery