RUSSELL TANOUE PHOTOGRAPHER

How much Candee do you have?

Candee Verdadero most recently seen in the 2006 MidWeek Magazine Swimsuit Issue, her second appearance in the issue. She is also featured as a Fashionista Market Model, several ongoing ads and coming in July/August, you can catch Candees latest photos in SMART MAGAZINE'S Summer Issue shot on location at the chic Hoku'a Condominiums.

From hot pink to designs by Chelsea Gines for Pualani, you don't want to miss this issue.

Also in this upcoming issue will be the best of Las Vegas including a party hosted by Russell Tanoue at Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Hotel. So pick up SMART MAGAZINE'S "The Best of Summer" Issue out on stands in July 2006.

Where to get SMART? click here

Meet

Candee

RTFOTO: What agency are you listed with? Premier Models & Talent
RTFOTO: What is your occupation? Fortunately, modeling has been my primary job at the moment! But I'm working on other things right now that will hopefully follow through & I'll let you know if they do.
RTFOTO: What nationality are you? Caucasian, Hawaiian & Filipino
RTFOTO: Where are you originally from?  Born and raised here on Oahu, Hawaii!
RTFOTO: Describe yourself in 3 words? Humble, Gracious & Respectful
RTFOTO: Who was or is your mentor? I can't really choose one particular person as my mentor. Many people have played a part in getting me to where I am today. I have learned through my friends and their experience in modeling, such as Juliet Lighter and Brandy Leaver whom taught me a lot about the modeling industry. Working with photographers and stylists on various jobs. But I do have to give a lot of credit to my sister Misty who stood by me, guided me and supported me during my first few photo shoots.
RTFOTO: What was your first paying job? I believe I was 17 years old and I did a photo shoot with DKNY Junior for a Hawaii teen magazine and I made the cover along with an 8-10 page layout.
RTFOTO: What inspired you to become a model? That's a pretty difficult question to answer. I guess I was inspired by the opportunities and challenges that models endure. Its a fulfilling and rewarding feeling to accomplish these challenges that models face all over the world.

Its refreshing to know that you can be a healthy, fit woman and still be a great asset to the modeling industry without giving into medias expectations.

How would you describe your style in fashion? I'm as simple as it gets!!! My everyday look would probably be a low cut racer back tee, jeans, some vintage earrings, my reef slippers and I'm ready to go. Very relaxed and not too much going on.
RTFOTO:   How many years have you been doing what you do? I started out in high school but I made the decision to not pursue anything until I was done with school. But I didn't get serious about modeling until about a year or two ago.
RTFOTO: If you could do one thing different growing up, what would that be?  I actually did really well in school and participated in sports. I was a very independent person because I grew up in a household with a single mom, so I had to take on more responsibilities than the average child. But I believe that it has made me a strong person and I wouldn't change anything about that. If anything I really wish that I would have stuck with surfing all the way. I grew up on the beach and surfing is one of my passions but since I moved into town I never really took advantage of it. I only got back into it about a year ago and I'm never going to give it up.
RTFOTO: What drives you to continue doing what you do? The desire to see where its going to get me and how far I'll go. The hope to travel and see the world. To make a good income to take care of my family, and be able to make my mother proud.
RTFOTO: What do you like best about the modeling industry? It allows me to be who I want to be but at the same time it allows me to release and express emotions that you normally wouldn't. It's like having multiple personalities that you have complete control over.
RTFOTO: What don't you like about the industry? The constant pressure to be the best and most perfect model. Media pushes society into thinking of how a model should look, but the reality is that we're not perfect and we're all unique individuals. We should be able to embrace our flaws instead of trying to fit in because then it changes the person that you are.
RTFOTO: If you weren't doing what you do today, what would you be doing? I have no idea! I tend to live life on impulse as long as you never intentionally hurt another person and don't judge people in your life. I think you should live completely free! I try to take advantage of all opportunities presented to me because I don't ever want to be that girl that looks back and says " I could have done that."
RTFOTO: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I hope to have a beautiful home on the Northshore, to start a small business and to have a family of my own to share all those things with.
RTFOTO: What is a good day like for you? My good days are the days that I can spend time with my boyfriend. He's my partner in crime and he knows how to make a girl smile! A good day for us would be surfing a clean 2-3 ft swell in Haleiwa. Cooking a meal together that we have never tried and watching a movie while enjoying that meal. And......probably ending that day with a massage from him. My new approach to life is the laid- back lifestyle and I LOVE IT!!!
RTFOTO: What embarrassing moment have you had in your career?  I was in a fashion show for Crazy Beautiful, we were on our last change when I headed back to the changing room. I guess one of the girls didn't show up so they had us wear one of her outfits. I was handed a top and accessories...put it on, I was waiting for bottoms but no one gave me anything. There was a lot of yelling and I thought that everyone was saying "GO! GO! GO!" So I went, I thought maybe I was suppose to just rock the shirt. So I went out there and worked the top/very very very mini dress and panties. Little did I know they were telling me to not go because I forgot to put on the pants. Luckily no one in the audience knew the difference. But everyone in the back including myself couldn't stop laughing.
RTFOTO:   What would you say is the most difficult part of your job? Being stereotyped by people who don't know you. Its a constant battle to prove everyone wrong. There are a lot of intelligent girls that model who do it because they make good money, its not because they are not capable of doing other things. People are ignorant and you need to keep yourself grounded.
RTFOTO: What was your most happiest moment in your career?  The day I found out I got booked for FreeSurf Magazine, which was just recently. I'm always appreciative and lucky to be a part of this industry but I was so stoked and had a never ending smile for days when I found out I got the job. I always looked up to Malia Jones and have always wished to be a surf sports model. So to be able to be in a surf magazine, one step closer was such a joy. And everyone on that set just made it easy to work with.
RTFOTO: What makes you different from your peers? I think everyone is very different from one another. For the most part, especially those that I know personally in the industry, we all pretty much have the same beliefs. But I know, for myself, that I don't like to take things to seriously. Life is too short especially to dwell over something in the modeling industry.
RTFOTO: If you could pick any city to live in other than the city you are currently in, what city would that be and why? Its hard to imagine living anywhere else when I already live in such a beautiful place.  So I don't really know where I would want to live but I do know that I would want to live in a third world country. That's probably the most random, unexpected and non-luxurious answer, but I would want to experience what it would be like to not have the freedom that we have. To maybe get my hands dirty by making a stand and do something about it.
RTFOTO: What advice can you give to those aspiring what you do? It's a very cut-throat industry out there. Some people will love you and most people will probably hate you. But don't ever let anyone bring you down. Respect yourself and others will respect you. Have confidence in everything that you do and you'll come out a winner no matter what. Happiness in life is more important that any job.
RTFOTO: What is your message to teens today? Enjoy your youth! Generations nowadays are growing up too fast. One day you'll have no choice but to step into the real world. Enjoy your younger years happily and healthily while you can, that way you'll develop good habits.
RTFOTO: If you had the power to change the world, what would you do? I would like to get rid of money. That way everyone would be equal and we would all respect one another for who we are and not by how much money one has. Very far fetch from reality but its just a thought. I just think that there are too many people that are so wrapped up in wanting to make more money that they forget about all the natural beauty surrounding us, they forget about what life is suppose to be like.
RTFOTO: What was your experience working with Russell Tanoue? FABULOUS!!!  My very first photo shoot with Russell was for my senior portraits and I'll never forget the jaw drops on every ones face when I handed them my pictures. Every photo that I have done with him from past to present has probably been some of my best because of the connection that we had. He has a way of making you feel comfortable, beautiful, and he can bring out the best in you in any situation. I am very privilege to have Russell apart of my life and career. I want to thank him for guiding me along the way, and helping me to be where I am today!
RTFOTO: Finally, tell me something about you I don't know about? I always had a secret desire to be a female pro surfer. Kind of a guys dream....but I thought it would be so great to travel around the world to surf and make an income doing it.
RTFOTO: Anything you'd like to say? I've learned that life is an endless run around of mindless people, but not all, and ridiculous let downs. In this industry you can never be 100% satisfied, there are more let downs which will feel like life will never get good. If you let it get to you then you'll look back someday and realize that you've wasted all that time because its really not that big of a deal. You have one life to live and you should live it to the fullest! Be happy, be healthy, be beautiful for who you are and you will always live life with a big smile upon your face!