Local maurices model wraps first photo shoot

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Kristen Hurst right before her photo shoot. Courtesy photos
On the set in Maroon Bells, two mountain peaks about 12 miles southeast of Aspen and surrounded by the famous Aspen trees.
Fellow models Jenna Thompson (left) and Taylor Everett (middle) with Hurst in Aspen.

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September 26, 2012

Local maurices model wraps first photo shoot

Joyce Marie Taylor Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Wed Sep 26, 2012, 01:32 PM EDT

Mayo — Mainstreet Model Kristin Danielle Hurst of Mayo has just returned from her amazing maurices photo shoot in Aspen, Colorado.

Hurst was featured earlier this year in the Mayo Free Press when it was learned she had been selected as one of the top 20, and then one of the top 12 finalists in maurices Mainstreet Model Search.

Out of nearly 1,500 online submissions to maurices, a national women’s clothing retailer, Hurst was ecstatic when she found out she made it to the top 20, which meant she would be traveling to Minneapolis, Minn. on April 16 for a one day casting call that included hair and makeup sessions, and test photos.

On April 23, a judging panel from maurices that included Christopher Straub from Lifetime Television’s Project Runway announced the winners online and Hurst was beside herself with joy when she found out she was one of the top 12 winners.

Each winner received a photo shoot, a $1,500 maurices gift card, a $7,500 charitable makeover for a nonprofit organization in her home town, of which Hurst chose Relay For Life, and national exposure at maurices locations, maurices.com, social media sites and mailers. As one of the 12 winners Hurst will be the face of maurices 2012 Holiday Line in over 800 stores nationwide.

Hurst, along with the maurices crew of photographers, hair, makeup and style teams, traveled to Aspen, Colorado for a weeklong high-fashion photo shoot the week of Sept.10.

“After months of waiting, my trip to Colorado to participate in the winter photo shoot for maurices finally took place,” said Hurst during an interview upon her return to Mayo. “To say my trip to Aspen was amazing is definitely an understatement!”

Hurst said between the mountain views, the cool weather, and working with the maurices crew, it was truly an incredible experience.

“From the moment we arrived until the day we left, we worked nonstop!” she said. “We all were up before the sun for hair and makeup sessions and didn’t return to the hotel until late at night. It is still so surreal to me to think that my photographs will appear in over 800 stores and 1.5 million mailboxes this Christmas!”

One of the most important things that Hurst said she gained from her modeling experience were the relationships she formed while in Aspen.

“I definitely bonded, not only with the other two models, Taylor and Jenna, but with the whole maurice’s crew,” said Hurst. “Meeting other girls from around the United States who shared the same excitement over being a maurice’s model, and participating in their first ever photo shoot was really neat.”

Everyone on the crew, Hurst said, was helpful and catered to their needs.

“Whether it was making sure we were warm and cozy in between shoots, or giving us water through a straw so as not to mess up our lipstick, they were willing to do anything to make us comfortable,” she said. “We were definitely given the ‘Hollywood’ treatment during our stay in Aspen.”

For a small town girl, Hurst got to experience a lot of “firsts”. It was her first time flying alone and the first time having to switch airplanes three different times. Hurst’s mother accompanied her on her trip to Minneapolis, which was a breeze compared to this trip.

On the way to dinner one night while in Aspen, Hurst said she saw bears roaming free in the middle of the street and climbing the trees.

“The only time I had ever seen a bear was at the zoo!” said Hurst.

Another first was when she and Taylor ate calamari at one of the group dinners.

“We loved it!” she said.

The six days Hurst spent in Aspen, she said, flew by fast, but she tried to soak in every moment and remember everything, which she made sure of by posting on Facebook every day.

“Modeling has taken on a whole new light for me,” she said. “I had no idea how much work goes into the whole process.”

Between hair, makeup and wardrobe fittings, Hurst said she was exhausted.

“Now that I know how much hard work it is to be a model, I will never look at another photograph the same again,” she said. “It’s not just snapping a few pictures for a catalog. It is hours upon hours of getting just the right look, background, pose and lighting.”

Hurst says she has gained a new respect for career models.

“I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to have had this opportunity,” said Hurst. “I want to thank God, my family, and my community for having the faith in me to make it all the way. I would not have been able to make it on this incredible journey without the prayers and support from everyone.”

Hurst said the entire maurices experience has made her more comfortable with her plus-size figure and has given her more confidence to be proud of her curves.

“I really want to show girls everywhere that they are not just a size, but a size beautiful,” Hurst said.

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