5 Questions with Brooke Cuttress and Joshua Franco

Vernice Ortiz

On October 7, Brooke Cuttress, 12, and Joshua Franco, 12, displays what their modeling and photography jobs consist of outside of school, both having different personality’s enjoy working together as co-workers. Franco and his dad own Red Crew Films, where they photograph and video events, and LAModelMagazine, a fashion magazine with beauty tips and lifestyle guides; Cutress is their main model, but she also works for different companies such as Blim girl, for brands that endorse NASCAR, and can be seen in their ads and headers for their website and Facebook page.

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
November 12, 2014

Five questions with Brooke Cuttress and Joshua Franco

Starting over the summer, seniors Joshua Franco and Brooke Cuttress have been working as a photographer and a model. Franco approached Cuttress about modeling, which led to her becoming one of his models of LAModelMagazine, a fashion magazine that comes out every 3 months featuring beauty and health tips.

How did you get involved in modeling/photography?

Cuttress: It was all out of luck because I knew Josh. He asked me in the beginning of summer if I wanted to do a photo shoot, which led to me being on all their prints. Since then, I started working with sponsors of NASCAR as one of their blim girls, which means I am in most of the ads that endorse their products.

Franco: I started a business with my dad and our business partner a couple months ago. It’s actually two companies: Red Crew Films and LA Model Magazine. Red Crew Films is a basic photography and videography for all types of events.

What interests you the most about modeling/photography?

Cuttress: It’s simple. I really like taking pictures just for fun. I like that I am paid to be treated like a princess then getting my pictures taken. It drew me in because I saw t-shirt models, who were short and my size, and I knew I could do it.

Franco: I think the beauty of the picture. I just think it’s cool how you can take a normal scene and make it something mind blowing.

Who are your inspirations?

Cuttress: Cara Delevigne. She’s Rhianna’s best friend. She’s amazing.

Franco: I just follow my own style. I like the photos in the magazine, how they’re well taken, well thought out, and well edited, but I don’t have anyone specific I look up to.

Is modeling/photography something you see yourself doing in the future as a career?

Cuttress: As a career, no, I don’t want to do it. It’s more of a fun thing I’m doing right now.

Franco: I see it more as a side job than anything. Photography is a hobby for me.

What is something you’re looking forward to with modeling/photography?

Cuttress: Well, I actually have an interview today where I’ll go and take pictures and see if they’ll be interested in using me. I’m also going to be the face of a new t-shirt company called Purple Crushed Pill that’s coming out soon.

Franco: It’s already opened different doors for me to go to different events and meet different people. It’s been a great experience, and I can’t wait to see what other doors it opens in the future.

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About the Contributors

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor

Entering her second year as a writer for The Downey Legend, senior Esther Rodriguez has high hopes. As a sophomore, she heard about joining Newspaper during the morning announcements and her English teacher, Mr. Kraus, encouraged her to fill out an application and display her knack for writing. This inspired her to apply and see if she could make it, which she did. Rodriguez joined in hopes of improving her writing skills, becoming less shy, and learning to write in more detail. To her, the best part about being on the newspaper staff is finding out about interesting, random things going on around the school. “There are things you would not know just coming to school, but being in Newspaper you learn things that aren’t common knowledge,” Rodriguez said. “We are the eyes and ears of the school.”

In her down time, Rodriguez enjoys reading young adult literature, writing fictional stories, and spending quality time with her cell phone on websites like YouTube, Tumblr, and Twitter. Besides being in Newspaper at school, she is also a new tutor at Downey High’s Writing Center. Writing as much as possible is important to her because she dreams of one day being an author. Along with chasing her aspirations of writing for a living, after she finishes high school, Rodriguez also looks forward to attending a university such as UCLA, San Diego State, or UC San Diego and obtaining a degree in English. Next summer, she will also be going on a missionary trip with church to Japan. Although her head is full of thoughts about the surreal future, for now Rodriguez is focusing on her schoolwork and activities and soaking up her last year as a high schooler.

Vernice Ortiz, Photographer

Joining The Downey Legend for the first year, 17-year-old photographer Vernice Ortiz is ready to take on the challenge of photographing for the online newspaper. Ortiz enjoys taking pictures and sharing her photos with others; she’s also prepared to get more people familiar with the website. “I’m excited to show everyone what I can do,” Ortiz said. Coming into the new year with a strong mindset, Ortiz was determined to earn a higher position on the staff, which she achieved. As her first week comes to end, a new journey just begins with her being the team’s very own Gallery Editor.

During her free time, Ortiz enjoys playing sports, basketball being her favorite. Along with being athletic, Ortiz is into music and can enjoy all genres of it, including country. When she isn’t photographing, playing sports, or listening to music, Ortiz is dedicated to volunteering at local elementary schools. After high school she plans to pursue a future in photography and become an independent adult.