11 Q's with a model Liam Bergan

Model: Liam Bergan @liam.bergan
Agency: Wilhelmina New York
Reinhard Model & Talent Agency @reinhardagency
Photography & Retouch: Helena Raju @helenaraju
Location: Philadelphia, PA (USA) & NJ

1. Your dream modeling job?
   Liam: Hard to say exactly what my dream job would be modeling considering all of the different potential opportunities the industry offers.  I have always dreamt of traveling to beautiful places like Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Majorca to do location shoots and campaigns for clothing companies and brands. It would allow me to enjoy the scenery and culture of traveling while also creating insane content!

2. How would you describe your style?
   Liam: My style is tough to pin because I try to keep it so versatile.  One day I will come out rocking a tracksuit for cool comfort, another I might wear a full blown suit.  I like to combine the aspects of high fashion with street trends while always putting my own little edge on an outfit.  I think style is so incredibly freeing.  It allows you to dress to be whoever or whatever you want to be that day.  Recently I have been trying to wear fancier clothing, such as turtlenecks and suit jackets paired with distressed/ripped skinny jeans and doc martens.. throw some "punk" looking accessories on it and the look embodies so much personality.

3. Your personal passion or hidden talents?
   Liam: My personal passion is inspiring others.  Nothing makes my heart happier than hearing from other people that I have inspired them to do something that they love.  Whether that be getting in shape in the gym or following modeling dreams of their own.. or any other passion.  There is a certain fulfillment in hearing that someone is motivated by seeing me do something.  When people reach out to me and tell me they see my hustle and progress and they want to do the same, it motivates me so much to keep pushing on. As far as hidden talents, I sing and record a little bit of music.  I usually shy away from sharing it because im not sure people will take it seriously, although I did just recently drop a video for a song called "shadows" i made with my friend Weslee Wates.

4. You were a runway model for Philadelphia Fashion Week, what was the most challenging part?
   Liam: PFW was an amazing and career starting experience for me.  They definitely gave me a lot of publicity and helped me realize my potential as a model.  Very grateful for that.  But the challenging part was the long days!  A lot of driving for me and a lot of sitting around and waiting for the shows to start! But ultimately it was a really amazing experience where I met some of the most outstanding people in my life to date.

5. What is the most meaningful tattoo on your body?
   Liam: My very first tattoo.  Its a little piece of script i wrote that says "love life" with an EKG line on both sides right over my heart.  I drew this design the week of my 18th birthday. It was an extremely difficult time for me and not exactly where I imagined spending my 18th birthday.  The tattoo symbolizes love of the life I live and hope for life filled with love in the future.  This tattoo is there to constantly remind me of the dark times, while also symbolizing the fact that I overcame them.  Probably is and always will be my favorite tattoo.

6. What’s your favourite part about being a model?
   Liam: My favorite part of being a model is the network I have been establishing since I started.  Meeting so many creative people who are full of love and positivity has seriously opened my eyes to WHO i want to be.  I have met so many talented and interesting people whether they be photographers, stylists, designers, other models ect. and i feel like i can relate to them so easily.  This network and connection to these creatives has also allowed me to learn so much each and every day about becoming a better model.  Ive also been learning so much about myself, life and what im passionate about which i attribute to meeting all of these people in the fashion industry.

7. What is your best memory so far since you’ve been working in the industry?
   Liam: Best memory so far was being on Fox29 Philly during Philly Fashion Week.  It might sound silly but it was my first time being on TV ever and it was so fucking cool.  Hopefully that's not the last time I am in the lime light!

8. One of your music videos just got released. Tell me about it...
   Liam: Shadows!  This song means a lot to me! The video was filmed by my good friend Austin Depew who is an extremely talented videographer based in Baltimore.  My friend Weslee Wates produced and recorded the song as well.  The concept of the video is facing your "shadows" or demons in life, which as typically created by yourself.  I struggled for a long time with drinking and doing drugs to escape reality and avoid feeling.  I self medicated in order to avoid acknowledging negative feelings and allowed substance to replace facing my problems. The shadows video shows that when you do those types of things, avoiding problems, repressing feelings, using substance to make yourself feel better, you are more often than not hurting yourself further.  I learned the hard way that eventually, my poor choices, bad habits, unhealthy lifestyle was the cause of my own unhappiness!  I wanted this song/video to show people that its okay to not be okay and its important to ask for help when you need it.. most importantly I wanted people who were dealing with their own demons/shadows to know that they too could overcome them! its just a matter of mentality and personal growth/ change.

   Here is a link to the video check it out!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByIJCOBuFc

9. If you believed in reincarnation, who were you in your previous life?
   Liam: Rather than a person I think i would have been an elephant.  I love elephants, actually one of the top items on my bucket list is to go to an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia.

10. What’s your top 3 places you would like to visit?
    Liam: Cambodia- elephant sanctuary. Thailand - Sak Yant  (stick n poke) bamboo tattoo blessed by a monk. Amazon- Peru- Ayahuasca retreat.

11. Ten years from now (you will be…)
    Liam: I will be one of the top models in the world.  First NYC, then LA, London, Paris, Europe, Asia.. EVERYWHERE. I will have absolutely shocked the fashion and modeling industry as to what their standard Fashion Model should look like.  Using my modeling career as an entrance into the fashion industry, I will become a stylist, then a designer.  Oh yeah, plan on getting into acting, and making more music as well.  Sounds cocky, but sky is the limit and I know i have absolutely incredible things coming for me.  Now its time to talk less, work more and make these things happen one move at a time.

Thank you Liam!

by Helena Raju
© All rights reserved

©2019 Helena Raju Photography. Conceptual Portrait Photographer in Philadelphia, PA.

Wild: 11 Q’s with a model Julian Domanico

Model: Julian Domanico @juliandomanico_model
Agency: Reinhard Model & Talent Agency @reinhardagency
Stylist: Mathew Sutter @mathew.sutter
Photography & Retouch: Helena Raju @helenaraju
Location: Philadelphia, PA (USA)

1. What is the wildest thing you have done?

Julian: When I was in college I visited St. Andrews, Scotland, UK. One evening after several rounds of pub golf, I was dared along with some other friends to run into the North Sea on a pitch black beach in the middle of the night. We removed some clothing and blindly started running toward where we heard crashing waves. The water was freezing and slammed into us very painfully. We immediately ran the opposite direction as fast as we could. 

2. Where did you grow up?

Julian: I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan in a blue collar, middle eastern immigrant town. 

3. What is the hardest part of being a model? 

Julian: The hardest part is being patient for opportunities. There is always so much more to learn and so many people to meet. 

4. You were a runway model for Philadelphia Fashion Week, what was the most challenging part?

Julian: I missed casting as I only recently became a professional model. I showed up at the first fitting after talking to PFW producer, Kevin Parker. I had to be very extroverted to build relationships and get opportunities, which this industry relies upon. 

5. Your secret of walking the runway with a Poker face?

Julian: I think about how all the obstacles I’ve overcome have made me who I am and put me exactly where I want to be. 

6. The best way to relax is…

Julian: Accept what you can’t change and change what you can. 

7. Inspirational quote (a poem that defines me)…

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story. 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. 
Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 
You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 
Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy. 

8. What type of photoshoot you would never do? 

Julian: Anything that hurt an animal, then environment, or a person.

9. If you were a super hero, what superpower would you have? 

Julian: Mind control 

10. What’s your zodiac sign?

Julian: Gemini 

11. When you were a child, who you wanted to become?

Julian: I was always nervous to pick one thing I wanted to be. I thought it would close doors to things i may want to try or explore. So, I decided to never stifle myself and decide.

Thank you Julian!

by Helena Raju
© All rights reserved

©2019 Helena Raju Photography. Conceptual Portrait Photographer in Philadelphia, PA. Our studio offers Personal Branding Photography Sessions, Fitness, Portraiture, Wedding & Engagement, Maternity, Fashion and Food Photography.