4 minute read

OJAI’S MODEL CITIZEN

from Ojai Quarterly - Spring 2023

from Ojai Quarterly - Spring 2023, page 72

DOWN IN LOS ANGELES,

IFCameron Jones’ face isn’t already familiar to you, it likely will be. You might be among the customers at Java & Joe’s coffee shop, where she worked for several years, or seen her in fashion shoots for Ojai brands and photographers.

Her visibility now extends well beyond Ojai. She recently signed with State Management, one of the nation’s premier modeling agencies, with offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Her presence is already receiving a big boost, with marketing campaigns for national clothing and lifestyle brands, including the skin-care company IS Clinical, jewelry brand Miansai and she participated in the Disney Wedding Dresses by Allure Bridals, one of the highest-profile events in the bridal industry.

STORY BY BRET BRADIGAN

PHOTOS BY BRANDI CROCKETT

“That was particularly fun,” Jones said. “ It was so much fun to work with so many models during the show, and we got to see Disneyland at night … that had to be my favorite shoot.”

It was an extended family member who helped her land the coveted contract, she said. “Marissa Surmenkow works in (State Management’s) New York location,” Jones said. “She reached out to me and encouraged me to interview with their Los Angeles team. I was very excited for the opportunity, especially after seeing their roster and the brands their models have worked with. I was brand new to the industry and was thankful for her guidance.”

The opportunity didn’t come out of nowhere, though. She’s been looking for her big break for awhile.

“I have always been interested in modeling and have modeled for local photographers and brands before I was officially signed,” she said.

Ojai has been central to her life. Jones is the granddaughter of Gloria Jones of Plush Surroundings, who has been a pillar of Ojai’s community for more than 35 years, active in the Chamber of Commerce and local sports leagues. She is a well-known fabric designer for both home furnishings and fashion, and a key influence on Cameron’s desire to pursue a career in the industry.

“Gram has influenced my love of fashion for sure. When I was younger she allowed me to ‘design’ dresses out of leftover fabric. Those times have turned into core memories for me,” Cameron said. “She has been so supportive of my career and loves to hear all the details, and I was so fortunate that I have been able to learn what goes on behind the scenes of the fashion world from her.”

Those details of Cameron Jones’ work are not always the glamorous business of runways and haute couture. It’s a real job that requires discipline and diligence. “Typically, a model will go to a casting, which is essentially an audition, in the sense that a casting director will see if the model fits the part they are trying to fill.

“If the casting director books you for a job, your agent will send a call sheet that lays out what the job entails — time, location, and the use of the media they capture. Arriving early on set is important not only for the creative team, but also the model. Usually, I like to arrive 15 minutes early, if not earlier, in case of any possible setbacks.

“Once I have met the team I will be working with, we will typically start with hair and makeup. For most of the jobs I have done, the client will hire the makeup artist and hairstylists. Clients also have their own photographers they work with. So different brands, different teams.

Her parents have also been supportive of her interest in modeling since a very young age. “Specifically, my dad said ‘Why wouldn’t you use what God gave you?’ I couldn’t ask for a better support team.”

It can be an intimidating way to make a living — competitive and high stakes with lots of people and big budgets. “At my last casting people didn’t seem very friendly. Everyone was kind of keeping to themselves,” she said. “But I decided to be very outgoing, which has served me well in this industry, and try to get people to open up. It resonates with people, and helps you build better connections.”

Physical fitness is a key component of the job. That comes naturally for Jones. She lived in Missoula, Montana before moving back to her hometown of Ojai five years to attend Nordhoff High School. She was a standout athlete in volleyball and basketball. In fact, she was chosen as a sophomore for the Rangers’ varsity basketball squad as their shooting and point guard. Unfortunately, Jones fell into that cohort who had their senior year of high school derailed by the pandemic.

It helped to be quarantined in a place like Ojai. “Ojai and Ventura County are home to several of my ‘happy places,’ such as the local farmers’ markets, my favorite hiking trails, the beautiful beaches and the famous Southern California kelp forests. I became scuba certified in 2021 and went to receive my advanced certification. Scuba and free-diving has become my passion — I am happiest underwater.” Jones can free dive to 30 feet, and scuba dive to 110 feet down, far enough to be immersed in a different world.

Discipline carried her through those long days of zoom classes. “I like to stay active and exercise six days a week. I keep it moderately short so I can sustain it. It’s a mix of Pilates, weight training, then hikes and runs. I also do yoga at the Move Sanctuary and at the Ojai Valley Athletic Club,” she said.

Her interest in the fashion industry carries through all its elements. “Fashion design, as well as the art of photography, have always interested me,” she said, especially enjoying her time in the darkroom, watching the magic unfold as images emerged from the film. “I fell in love with it and both remain hobbies of mine to this day. I like to be on both sides of the camera.”

Her aspiration is to combine her core interests: diving, photography and modeling. “Diving is my passion and I would love to integrate those, whether that is modeling underwater with an underwater photographer, or simply standing out from the rest by creating content underwater!

For the present, the 20-year-old is attending Ventura College, with the plan to transfer to Cal State Northridge or Cal State Channel Islands as a junior. She is studying film photography and development, as well as business, with the aim of bringing all of her interests, training and experiences together as an entrepreneur.

“I definitely think modeling is a gateway career for me,” she said. “You make lots of connections with photographers and other people in the industry. So I hope I can use what I learn to generate several streams of income.”

That doesn’t preclude the desire to take advantage of the career which she already launched; “And I would love to have a career in the modeling industry in the future, walking shows or working with big brands.