Photo Courtesy of Matt Sosnowski
The students and teachers at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School lead interesting lives. Humans of SPFHS enables them to share their stories. Senior Matt Sosnowski gave the Fanscotian insight into his life as a model and shared how his perspectives have changed.
 
What kind of modeling do you do?
Well I guess it really depends. Most of my work is editorial, which means it’s found in magazines, so a lot of fashion modelling. Next month is fashion week, so there’s going to be a lot of castings to go to and probably shoots and stuff. Castings happen about a week before all the shows start, and I find out if I’m walking in them or not within that week.
 
How were you discovered? What was the process to get signed? Was it a dream of yours, or was it more unexpected?
It was in the summer, when I was doing an internship in Brooklyn. I was with my grandma and this photographer found me, and than that photographer reached out to an agency and showed them my pictures. That agency, who is the one I’m with now, called Fusion Model Management, they brought me in one day and I interviewed with them and they took Polaroids with me. That night they sent me the contract. This wasn’t something I aspired to do – I mean it was definitely something I wanted to do, but since I want to work in fashion when I’m older, it’s a pretty cool job to have because it’s a definitely a step into the door or the fashion industry.
 
What is a typical day of a photoshoot like?
Well, you usually get there and wait around for people to set up sets. It depends if there are other models and stuff, because if there’s other models you have to wait for them to do hair and makeup, but if there’s just you, than you just sit and they do your hair and makeup. You shoot for a little bit, they might change your outfit, which usually happens, and it takes between two to six hours.
 
Is anyone famous signed/connected to the same label as you are?
I’m not sure. I guess it depends on what you consider famous. But no, no one really famous, we don’t have a talent league or something like that. There’s just a men’s division and a women’s division.
 
Did you have a preconceived idea of what it was like to be a model before you became one? If so, how has your perspective changed?
Yeah, I did have a preconceived idea because I would work on set at a lot of shoots since I have a lot of friends who are in the industry. I would help set up photo shoots so I would get to see what the models were doing. It was pretty cool, and everyone was always telling me that I should do it, so I thought why not give it a shot? My perspective has changed. I would say that it isn’t as exciting as it looks. It’s a lot of waiting and being patient. That’s mostly what it is. But, I mean, it’s still a really cool job to have.
 
Do you have any fashion/model inspirations?
This is always a really hard one. I would say Iris Apfel is really cool, I like her style. Vivienne Westwood too, I really like her designs. There’s more but I can’t think of them off the top of my head.
 
What unique experiences have you had because you’re a part of an agency?
Well, I just did a Paper Magazine thing which was really cool, you know, to be featured in Paper Magazine and on their website and stuff. Other than that, nothing really unique happened yet.
 
Have you modelled for any specific companies/brands yet?
No, not in particular. When you first get signed, it’s a lot of test shoots. I’m still in a developmental stage because they’re trying to fill up my book, because all models have a book so when you go to casting events you can show your book. So I just do a lot of test shoots and stuff. But no, no specific brands yet.
 
What are some of your goals for your future in modelling? Would you like it to be your career?
I don’t want it to be my career, but definitely a side thing. It’s a fun job to have, so I enjoy doing it, but I don’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life.