Today we’d like to introduce you to Brea Boomer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, sports were a huge part of my life. I was a three-sport athlete in high school and my dad was the football coach. We lived, ate and breathed sports. I went on and played four years of college basketball for my University and studied early childhood education. I became a preschool teacher for two years and was teaching third grade when we made the modeling leap. I was also the head coach of Duluth East girls basketball. I had the best of both worlds teaching little ones and then onto coaching the older girls.
Growing up, I loved watching the Victoria Secret fashion show and following certain models. However, I never imagined it becoming my career. I love coaching and teaching and believe it to be my life’s path. I know I will always be a teacher as it is part of who I am! Modeling came into my life when one of my teaching co-workers signed me up for the ARTS International audition in Duluth, MN. At first, I was a bit skeptical about going but with some encouragement from my coworkers, I showed up with my younger brother Kale to the audition. I received a call back to head to Orlando where I met Marie P. Anderson. Together Marie, my family and I decided it was time to leave teaching and pursue modeling full time. Marie has now been my mother agent for about a year and a half. She has guided me and led me in the right direction.
I was a basketball player who had no idea how movement for the camera worked. It was a family joke that my father raised a linebacker and that is what Marie had to work with. I practiced walking at home and when teaching my kiddos. I needed to change my whole body language and needed all the movement help I could get. We then set up test shoots and practice sessions with other models to prepare for meeting with agencies. I went on to sign with Option One out of Chicago and then to Wilhelmina Miami. I’m now full time in Miami and loving every minute of it.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles was right away when I decided to leave teaching. Teaching and coaching have always been a huge passion of mine. I love inspiring children and watching them grow. Teaching is unlike any profession. It’s one of the most rewarding careers. Leaving my students and my basketball girls were the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Luckily I had amazing co-workers and friends to help support my decision and make the transition a bit easier. I also still get letters from former students, which makes my heart happy! My hopes and dreams are that through modeling, I can inspire young children through this next chapter of my life.
I would be lying if I said it was all smooth. The hardest transition has been understanding the industry and trusting the process. As a teacher and a coach, I had the same routine everyday at the same places with the same people. With modeling, I had to get use to the inconsistency of the industry and each casting and booking was at different places with different people. For example, being a start-up model I’m working on building my clientele and that comes with days of not knowing when or where my next shoot will be. There is the unknown and then a burst of activity, setting up travel, hotels, photoshoots, makeup specialist, etc. It is a very different pace and picking up monthly.
Through the struggles, it has also been very eye-opening. Every casting and booking my dad told me to think about it as “game day”. This helped me understand modeling, like sports, I need to get into the zone. Having to focus on my new techniques and posture all the while making it look natural. I’m only beginning to scratch the surface of what modeling is and can be. I still have A LOT to learn and can’t wait to see what my future holds.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As of this last year, I have been pursuing modeling full time. What sets me apart from others is my size and age. I’m a size 8 and 27 years old. In the modeling world starting out at the age I did is a much different path than many models who have been doing it since their teens. My size is considered a tweener size. I’m in between a straight size and a plus size. Depending on the client and agency, I’m either considered a curve and or in the plus-size category.
When I was first told I was a “plus” size model, I really struggled. I thought, “how could I be considered a plus size, I’m an athlete, work out regularly and eat a balanced diet.” It took me a while to wrap my head around this industry’s terminology. The best advice I received was, “to clients I’m just a hanger, It’s not about me… it’s about the way the clothes fit my body.” I also had to practice what I preached as a girls basketball coach. I constantly told my girls to love their bodies and to accept their bodies for who they are. How could I be a positive role model when I am struggling with my body image. I have to constantly remind myself that being a curve model is beautiful and perfect for me. Every body shape is unique in their own way. Genetics are what they are. I am who I am. I am a curve model. I hope through this experience. I can be a positive role model to all the young women out there.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
In the near future I will be expanding my career by meeting with agencies in Los Angeles and New York. I’m looking forward to all the new experiences coming my way. I’m getting to live and experience cities and places I’ve never before visited. The future is bright, I am excited and feel the pace is starting to quicken and the energy is building. I always had jobs as a waitress in the summers and customers would often say, “you should be a model”. Well I can now say, I am, I am a Model and I’m excited about what that encompasses!
I owe a huge THANK YOU to my career to Marie P. Anderson. Without her none of this would have been possible. She has led me down all the right paths and keeps pushing me to be the best I can be.
Contact Info:
Image Credit:
Photos by:
Kris Lou
Tommy Chung
Asulprusia
Tommy Chung
Asulprusia
Asulprusia
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