Q&A – My Move to Los Angeles

Hey Guys, as you probably already know from Instagram, I finally got my visa and my dream to move to LA is becoming a reality. You can’t believe how happy I am. To give you a better insight into my situation and to help you understand my decision even better I thought of doing a little Q&A with you to clarify the questions I keep getting asked. Be curious – maybe your question is included.

First question: I think the most frequently asked question is actually, why are you moving to LA?

The dream has already manifested itself about three years ago – 2019 with me. At that time I just lived in Australia and started modeling. From a purely business perspective, LA is a goldmine for modeling. Most big campaigns are shot there and most world famous photographers but also stars and starlets learn there. Recently LA has also become the place to be for TikToker, which of course suits me very well. And as you all know: Hollywood film productions are also from LA. In addition, my mother agency also sits in LA, which is why it was then only offered to work towards my artist visa – and as just announced, I have taken three years for the full approval and can not wait to start now.

2nd question: How long are you staying in LA?

I haven’t planned exactly yet, but I know that I will stay there for a long time. My talent visa is for three years so I have the opportunity to reach my full potential there and who knows what will happen. Since I don’t have an apartment in Germany anymore, I don’t know where I will move to after that time. Maybe I can extend my visa, maybe I will go back to Australia or maybe I will go somewhere else. Currently I have no countered plans. But of course I want to enjoy the first months in LA and see if I can imagine spending such a long time there.

3rd question: Are you going to Coachella?

Yes, I’m going there. We’ll be there the second weekend, since we’re not flying to LA until 4/21. Then from the 22nd to the 26th I’ll be there with some other influencers and friends. After Coachella I’ll be staying in an Airbnb until I can finally move into my own apartment in LA on May 1st.

4th question: Are you moving alone?

Since we’re going to Coachella first, of course I won’t fly alone but my journey will continue alone afterwards.

5th question: Are you excited?

Since 2018 was the first time I’ve been so far away from home, I’m not that excited to be there anymore. For such a long period of time, of course, I have never been away but in 2018 and 2019 I was on the road for a total of 1.5 years which fortunately takes away my anxiety. So I am only positively excited and full of anticipation.

6th question: Why don’t you go to Australia?

I love australia. it’s my favorite country and I liked the whole mentality and life there more than enough. So I can say that Sidney is definitely my favorite city so far. But I don’t want to commit myself. Currently I’m single but of course I want to make that dependent on my future partner and see where she comes from, where it drives her and who knows maybe we will grow old together in Australia. But for fashion modeling and acting, so for the current stage of life Sidney is just not so well suited, so now LA is first on the plan. Everything step by step.

7th question: Are you going to auditions and do you already have a role in LA and will start filming?

No, that’s why I will go to such castings, of course. As I already said, I have my agency in La and they will of course support me in getting a foothold in the film industry and finding a good film agency.

8th question: What is so great about LA?

I was already in LA for two months in 2019. I didn’t really like LA there if I’m completely honest. For me it was dirty, I didn’t meet as friendly and open people as in Australia but the opportunities there are indescribable. When I’m in LA I can develop my career as fast as nowhere else.

9th question: How can local photographers work with you?

You can always reach me through my email. If you contact me via Instagram, the DM might get lost, so it’s better to go the old-fashioned way.

Tenth question: How will you move around LA? There is hardly any public transportation there.

The last time I was in LA I took Uber a lot. But since I plan to stay longer this time I think I will buy a car.

11th question: Will you visit Las Vegas?

The last time I was in LA I was in Las Vegas for two days. This time some of my friends want to visit me in LA and we are already thinking about doing a boys trip to Las Vegas.

12th question: What did you prepare to move to LA?

If I am honest not much. I am not good at planning. I just booked my flights, took care of accommodation and of course my agency is there. I haven’t even packed yet, although it’s going to start soon.

13th question: Are you moving to LA for professional reasons or for self-realization reasons?

As I just answered, this is a professional decision for me to take my business to the next level. If it was just about being freer and developing personally I would probably go back to Sidney.

If it was just about being freer and developing personally I would probably go back to Sidney.

14th question: Will you live permanently in Los Angeles or will you go back to Germany?

As I just mentioned, I am quite flexible. I like to drift and would like to see who I meet in LA and how the whole situation develops there before I make a decision.

15th question: What do you expect from your move to LA?

Again, I don’t have a clear answer for you because I have to let LA as a place to live sink in. However, my dream would be to get a foothold as an actor there and star in a Netflix series like Vampire Diaries.

16th question: Will you focus more on modeling or acting in LA?

I think I will focus more on modeling at first because it’s easier to get started. Acting is a hard place and if I focus only on that, the chance of really succeeding in LA is too low. I mean everyone wants to make it in Hollywood as an actor.

17th question: What is so special about LA?

I think LA fits my vibe very well. I’m more of a beach boy type of guy who likes to do sports and I think that fits LA well. Also my work as an influencer and generally my work in social media fits well the vibe of the city. For example, I don’t see myself long-term in a business city like New York where everything is very classic and stiff.

18th question: What does being a model mean to you?

This doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with my move to LA but it’s still a very intriguing question. Personally, I can say that I have become very self-confident through modeling. The fact that my appearance, or modeling finances my life impresses me again and again. And I am grateful for it. Since I concentrate on my goals and shape my body as I need it in my profession, a lot has changed.

19th question: What will you miss most about Germany?

I think it will be our bread. That’s what I missed most in Australia, too, if I’m honest. But most of all, of course, my family.

20th question: Do you already know people in LA?

Yes, I know some people in LA from my last trip in 2019.

21st question: Do you have a bucket list for the USA?

I would love to visit New York. Washington is definitely on my list as well though. Miami, Florida in general but also San Francisco I would like to see. Maybe Texas as well – something more unusual I don’t know exactly why but I want to do it.

22nd question: What is your dream place to be?

In LA, Runyon Canyon and generally in the world – Sydney.

23rd question: Is your brother coming with you to LA?

No, but he will definitely come to visit me.

That’s it. I hope I can give you some helpful answers. In one week I’m going to Coachella – I’m so excited. You guys too? Stay tuned. Of course I will take you there as well.

FULL VIDEO DOWN HERE:

My Model Journey – How did I become a fashion model?

Hey guys, I hope you are all doing fine! Today I want to tell you about how my career as a model started. I learned so much since the beginning and I hope you can take away something from it, too.

 

2015

The Beginning

It all started six years ago – in 2015. I was 19 years old at the time, visiting a fitness fair called fibo. Maybe you have heard of it. I was walking around as a visitor, looking at different things, talking to people, when a photographer approached me. He said that I’d look interesting (because that’s what you want to hear, right? You look „interesting“ :D). He said that he wanted to take pictures of me. He gave me his little card and off he went.
I was really stunned by that. It was the first time anyone ever told me, I could be a model. And, to be honest, I thought he was lying. 😀 But that meeting sparked a fire in me. From that day on I wanted to become a model.

When I was in school, I was always the smallest one of my classmates, because I was a year younger than them. So naturally that was pretty rough. When I turned 16, I said to myself: I want to change something. I want to be a person, people look up to. And when I got the offer to take those pictures, I wanted to prove to everyone, my classmates, my old friends, my university colleagues, that I can become a model. So I accepted the offer and took the pictures.

 

The First Shoot

It was a very interesting shoot, because I have never been in front of a camera before, it was a first for me. And when I saw the pictures, I almost gave up immediatley. I wasn’t happy with my body at all. I had pictures in mind of those „perfect“ fitness models with their abs and perfect shape – they were just all well trained Abercrombie guys. And then I looked at me and thought: Oh, damn. That’s not what I look like.
So I decided to train more. I went to the gym every day. And I continued taking pictures with the photographer. From shoot to shoot the pictures got better and better. And I got more confident because of that.

 

2017 – Starting Instagram

With that new confidence, I started uploading these pictures on Instagram. But what I was doing then wasn’t Fashion Modeling at all. It was more like Art Style, Art Photography, Fitness Modeling, Instagram Modeling, whatever you want to call it. But it was no proper Fashion Modeling.

And then everything happened pretty fast. On Instagram I grew to 100k within a couple months and I got awards as an Influencer – but that wasn’t my dream. I wanted to become a proper Fashion Model. That was my goal from the first second I’ve started. But it was hard to get into the whole business.

In late 2017, when I finished my studies, my mum wanted me out of the house :D. She wanted to push me and support me doing my masters degree or growing my personality by going to Australia, doing Work and Travel. Those were my two options, both with big potential in it. In the end, I decided to go to Australia, because there I could do Social Media on the side and at the same time explore the world and grow my personality.

 

2018 – Australia

So I went to Australia. I started as a backpacker for three or four months and went from Melbourne to Sydney. Because simultaneously I was growing as an Influencer, I got invited to many events, which was really cool. And at one of those events I met my first proper Model Agent.
With that agency I learned the in and outs oft he Modeling Industry. I learned about test shoots (You can, too, it’s on my website 😉) and I got my first jobs.
Then I got very lucky, because Carlos Böttcher came to Australia. He is a proper Fashion Model and actor. I learned a lot from him, especially how to act in front of the camera. I am very grateful fort hat, Carlos!
From there on out I shot for „Aussiebum“, which was my first major shoot. And after that I even got to do some stuff with their daughter company in New Zealand, which was amazing as well! With those experiences in mind, I went back home to Germany.

 

2019

Germany

Having done some cool shoots in other countries, I now wanted to become a Fashion Model in Germany. But that was a lot harder that I thought it would be. In every country something else is required from you. In Germany, for example, they are very strict about the height and they don’t like searching for new Model Faces. In the U.S. on the other hand it is completely different, they love finding fresh faces.
Because of that, I couldn’t find an agency back home. I had to split from my agent in Australia, because my Visa ran out and I wasn’t able to go back there. But luckily for me, another door opened itself.

 

Signing up with DT Modelmanagement

I got in contact with DT Modelmanagement, which is my Model Agency right now. I wanted to try it big. I wanted to become a model in America, the land of opportunities! In the U.S. all the big campaigns are done, and in addition to that, there is a much greater variety of model types. Every Model has his or her unique style. I am more of a commercial guy, even though I have done High Fashion Modeling as well …

 

Singapore

When I signed with DT, I went to Singapore. Why? Because I didn’t have my Visa for the U.S. It is very hard to get. You have to have dozens of magazine publications, you have to have support, people have to recommend you, it is a real struggle to get that Visa. Right now I am applying for it, so fingers crossed!
At that time Singapore was a great option for me. It was a lot easier to get magazine publications there as in comparison to europe. I went there for three months and was working quite well – even though the market in Singapore does not pay very well. As a Fashion Model, you always have to invest in yourself for your future, especially in the beginning.

 

2020

January – Milan

Having done that, I got back to europe. I signed with a Model Agency in Milan, and I went to Milan. That was the next step. Sometimes Model Agencies pay for an AirBnB and part of your travel, which is really cool. But that wasn’t the case for me, unfortunately. I had to pay everything myself, but like I said, sometimes you have to invest.
So, I did pretty good in Singapore, I was confident enough to go to Milan and … I did not book one single job there. Not one. Obviously I was very depressed about it. But I have learned that sometimes you don’t get a job. If you don’t, that is not the end of the world, just work as hard as you can to get the next one! In average a model gets one in ten jobs, so don’t get upset if you don’t get anything for a couple of weeks or even months. Just make sure you work on yourself to get the next one.
Luckily for me, I was doing Instagram and creating my own videos on the side, so that way I had some sort of progress and still had a great time there.

 

March – stuck in Germany

When I got back home, Corona struck. We got in full lockdown and I was stuck in Germany. But it was actually a blessing in disguise for me. After months of travelling I was very privileged to spend time with my family. I grew my hair out, I shredded down my body, I started the Visa process for america and – when the lockdown was allowing it – did a few jobs here as well.

 

2021 – What is happening?

Now it is 2021. I hope to get my Visa very soon and smash the Fashion Modeling world overseas in the U.S.!

So, that is pretty much my story. I think, the most important advice I can give you is something, which has been said very often, but cannot be said enough: Never give up on your dreams! For a model, I didn’t have the perfect prerequisites. I don’t have the height for it, all the Model Agencies in Germany told me that I am too small.
I think you have to find your own market and believe in yourself. I believe in myself. I am going to america and I will smash it over there! I have done jobs (MCM, Levis, Cartier, Aussiebum,…) , I have done magazines (August Man Magazine, GMARO Magazine Cover, Desnudo Homme Cover, Vanity Teen Magazine, …) So I know, I can be a Fashion Model.

In the U.S., you have to be prepared for every situation, so I am taking acting classes as well. And in addition to that, I want to talk more about the Modeling World with you guys. I want to take you on the journey with me and maybe even give you some advice, if you are starting your own road.

The Youtube Video below will give you more insights and pictures about my journey.

 

Follow my journey and start yours!

Also check out my other Channels for more inspiration!

– My Links –

Instagram • https://www.instagram.com/fabianxarnold  ​

Facebook • https://www.facebook.com/fabianxarnold

Twitter • https://twitter.com/fabianxarnold​

Website • https://www.fabianxarnold.com​

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Contact – fabian@fabianxarnold.com

Leg Home-Workout | 20 min | no equipment

The ultimate leg workout for at home including high intense exercises without breaks for a massive fat burn is online.

Finally I can announce having my first lower body workout without any needs of equipments on my Youtube Channel. You can easily add it in your weekly routine for example before the push or pull workouts or even instead of running the whole 10km doing only 5km running + the leg workout on Youtube.

What is special about my workout?!

Same as the other workouts I have combined strength and high intense exercises to speed up your heart rate but also get strength to hold and build muscles. Its the perfect mix for me to achieve a healthy body shape.

What else is important?

Beside just working out the food routine is almost more important than the workouts. On my fitness blog you will find more about my food routine. Always stay fit and eat healthy food.

Also its very important to stay consistent with your workouts. Consistency is the key for your success. Motivational thoughts on my Self-education Blog.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I will upload more YouTube videos in the near future, so it makes sense to subscribe to my YouTube account and for daily news follow my Instagram Account. 

 

Down here you will find the Link for the ultimative 20min LEG WORKOUT! HAVE FUN!!!

Model ABC – What is a Test Shoot?!

There are many different types of test shoots. Basically the name “test shoot” already contains the explanation. You test, you learn, you connect with people from the industry and you expand your portfolio.

What is a test shoot?

A test shoot has no minimum or maximum number of people that can be involved. Sometimes only the model and the photographer shoot, sometimes make-up artists are involved as well. The only important thing is that no third party is involved which has commissioned the shoot. You work together, but for yourself, so to speak.
In the best case, no one has to pay for this test. The profit is the resulting pictures that the artists involved can include in their portfolio – the model as well as the photographer and the make-up artists.

 

Why do you need to do this?

If you are a model at the very beginning of your career, these shoots help to generate just that and fill your portfolio. Depending on the size of the photographer, he or she may demand a small fee from the model for this, since the photographer can usually not use the pictures as well as the model itself.
The opposite situation also exists: if the model has already achieved a certain level of recognition on the market, and a relatively new photographer wants to expand his skills, he may pay the model.
In most cases, however, no money flows from one to the other,  it is simply a test shoot to get to know each other and, most importantly, push each other.
But there are other reasons to have a test shoot. For example, I recently updated my portfolio because my hair is significantly longer than in the most recent picture in my portfolio. If the hair comes off again, I’m probably due for a new test shoot. 😀
A test shoot is also useful when entering a previously unknown country. This way you are able to get to know the local photographers and acclimatise. This is very important, because photographers are often responsible for selecting models for jobs. As everywhere in life, connections are incredibly important and contribute significantly to success.

 

How do I get test shoots?

The classic way to get a test shoot is through your own model agency. They can then get in touch with a photographer.
In the digital age, however, there are of course other ways. Instagram and the like make this possible. On these platforms, you can ask photographers directly and arrange a test shoot.

You basically can’t do too many test shoots. But you should always be careful and not equate these tests with real jobs. Remember: You don’t usually get paid for these shoots. Therefore, you should always think about booking “real” jobs and earning money. Don’t end up losing your appetite because you’ve had your fill of shoots. 😀

 

This is what a test shoot looks like!

With my team, I shot a short behind the scenes video of our test shoot in Singapore 2019. Here you can follow first-hand how such a shoot goes; how I get made up, the shoot itself and the selection of the photos on the computer. Just have a look at my YouTube channel: @fabianxarnold

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write them in the comments, whether on YouTube or here!