I was so excited to work with Australian model Elise Natalie in two tropical locations for this March 2015 Model of the Month video feature. I met Elise at a Welcome Party at the Swimsuit USA International Finals in Mexico last November, she was a competitor and become the First Runner Up later that same week.
Elise Natalie in Dicks Cottons Sunnies
I got to speak with her briefly and was amazed at how easy it was to talk to her, she had a kindness about her I just found interesting. Not to mention her Australian accent to boot! Tyler Suess & I were constantly talking about all the beautiful girls and asked around who we should make our Model of the Month and Elise Natalie’s name kept coming up reconfirming what we already suspected.
Our buddy Chuck Owens highly recommended us working with her too and he has a good eye for these sorts of things. So we agreed to make the Aussie beauty Elise our Model of the Month and shoot that same week around the Hard Rock Maya Riviera.
Elise Natalie was so excited when we told her. She was the first Australian model I have ever gotten to work with so I was stoked. The day we shot in Mexico started out as a beautiful day but halfway through the shoot, the sky turned gray and dark. It got very windy and looked like it was about to pour rain. So we had to cut the shoot short.
Elise told me she would be traveling Miami soon and wondered if we could finish the shoot during that time. I told her “shooting her in South Beach would be amazing” so we coordinated to meet up for the rest of the looks there.
The Miami portion of the shoot when great! Since half the looks were already shot in Mexico, we had only two looks to finish. Elise was so easy to get along with and felt like we’ve been friends for a long time.
Elise Natalie Black Bikini
Living in South Florida has a huge advantage for our business, everyone eventually travels to our beaches and I always try to connect with girls when they visit this area. Ironically enough, I traveled to Bali for the Paradise Challenge on my Asian tour to Indonesia and Philippines a few months ago. She messaged me how excited she was that we would attending. But then didn’t know she was coming the third week. Elise Natalie happened to be going to Bali as well for the Paradise Challenge but we missed each other by two days since she did the third week of that event and we covered the first two weeks.
I am so happy she will be heading to the Paradise Challenge OPEN 2015 in Jamaica this September. Looking forward to shooting her again in an exotic location. I am ready to capture more of her Australian beauty.
Our video and pictorial of Elise Natalie was featured on Brobible.com on March 5th and FoxSports.com made her the Foxy Lady of the Day on March 3rd.
Checkout our exclusive interview with Elise Natalie our March 2015 Model of the Month:
Q: Describe your bikinis for the shoot?
One of my bikinis for the day was USA label – Pinkini Swimwear. The suit was custom made for me for one of my international pageants and the name of the suit was “Baby it’s you.” The bikini was white lace on white with well-placed diamante features.
Q: Most memorable moment on the shoot (Tell me about the day)?
Elise Natalie White Bikini
I loved shooting at sunrise in South Beach, Miami. As the sun hit the waves the water turned this striking golden colour and the lighting was so beautiful and soft. Shooting with John was such a pleasure and he truly knows how to capture models beautifully. The whole day was memorable to me. We were lucky enough to also shoot in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – which had some incredible back drops! John was so easy to work with and the music really helped get into the vibe of the shoot. We took time going through each outfit and making sure they all went well with the feel we were trying to capture for the day.
Q: When did you start modeling and how were you discovered?
I started modelling when I was studying Accounting and Law at University. I started asking myself what my passion was in life and what I would love to do and kept coming up with modelling. Not long after I was approached by a hairdressing company to model for them and I had so much fun at the photo shoot! Ever since that first shoot I haven’t stopped. I made sure I graduated first though – so I always have Law to fall back on.
Q: What was your first big break in the industry?
My first big break was winning Swimsuit USA International in 2012 and heading over to compete internationally for the first time and it was my first holiday overseas by myself. I made sure I made the most of being over near America as well, and lined up some photo shoots when I was over there. Ever since being over in America and meeting the people I have with the opportunities presented to me has helped so much with my networking ability and has led to me presenting and modelling in New York to doing shoots in Los Angeles, Miami and even Texas. If you want something and you work hard for it, it definitely pays off.
Q: Not including shooting with us, what has been your favorite job so far?
I got to do a shoot for Another Concept when I was on a cruise ship in Cabo San Lucas and it was so much fun! We spent the whole day on a catamaran and rode out to the Arch of Carbo San Lucas – a beautiful rock formation on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. There were other models there and the setting of the day was unforgettable. We shot both swimwear and lifestyle and it is one of those experiences I won’t forget.
Q: What has been your favorite place on the planet to shoot and why?
I absolutely love shooting on the tropical beaches of Mexico. The waters beautiful and clear, the weather is always perfect and if you can throw in a jet ski or a horse to shoot with, then to me that’s absolutely perfect.
Elise Natalie Aussie Beauty
Q: What is your favorite swimwear company or companies and why do you like their swimsuits?
I have two favourite swimwear companies. In Australia I am a big fan of Veve Swimwear – it’s colourful, creative and blingy. In the USA definitely Pinkini Swimwear for all the same reasons. These two companies are always inspiring me with their new dazzling array of suits with each line they bring out and I’m so honoured that they both sponsor me their latest ranges for my international adventures.
Q: Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people do not know (the quirkier, the better!)?
I love kick-boxing and extreme sports – anything that gets my adrenaline racing. People don’t generally expect it but once I’m out there I love to give anything a go!
Q: If you could be doing any job in the world for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Definitely to be a host on a travel show. Hosting and traveling would have to be two of my favourite things to do in the world so to combine them would be a dream job. I love experiencing new places and new cultures and trying out activities in locations all around the world – so that would be definitely something I would love to do. The other thing is acting. Getting into a characters role is always so challenging but also rewarding when you manage to do it – to be able to work around the world with an acting career would be truly rewarding for me and the change in characters would keep me motivated and inspired.
Q: What is your favorite movie of all time and why?
I absolutely love Couples Retreat! It’s a quirky comedy, set in a tropical location and with a star-studded cast including the likes of Vince Vaughn. It had me laughing the whole time and I thought it was such a well-planned out movie. It really makes me want to go on holiday to Bora Bora ever time I watch it though!
Q: What Super Powers would you like to have and how would you use it?
I wish I could teleport from one place to another so I can get to where I want to quickly and easily – too many things to do, so little time…
Q: What are the Top 3 songs playing on your iPod right now?
1. Cheerleader -Felix Jaehn Remix
2. Show Me – Kid Ink, Chris Brown
3. Jump – Rihanna
Elise Natalie on Fox Sports
Q: What is your work out routine if any?
I vary between kick-boxing and x-training with a lot of cardio in between. On weekends I play social beach volleyball which definitely keeps me in shape with all the running on the sand.
Q: Favorite food and how often do you eat it?
Anything with an explosion of flavour I’ll but I definitely love sushi! We have a sushi night every Sunday with friends and I can’t go past Yellowtail Tuna Sashimi with a chilli dressing and of course Miso Soup – almost nothing makes me happier.
Q: What is your drink of choice?
Water.
Q: What does Fashion mean to you?
Fashion to me means being able to express yourself, and show your personality.
Q: What models do you look to for inspiration and/or admire and why?
I definitely turn to a lot of the Victoria’s Secret Models for inspiration when I’m trying to get in shape – Candice Swanepoel would have to be one of my all-time favourites.
Q: Favorite designer and why?
I love Portia & Scarlett. They are predominantly an evening gown range and their pieces are so elegant and timeless. Every time they bring out a new collection I have an urge to buy it all! They have the perfect gowns for red carpet and other events I go to.
Q: What celebrity do you resemble or get mistaken for the most?
I get mistaken quite often for Blake Lively from Gossip Girl or even Kristin Cavallari from Laguna Beach when I’m blonde. I’ve recently gone to the dark side.
Q: Where can we see you next? Do you have any upcoming events, photo shoots or appearances that your fans can see you at soon?
Yes there should be a few US publications coming up soon that my fans will be able to see and also a few short movies – the best thing to do is follow my page “Elise Natalie” or my Instagram for all the updates and reveals! There is a lot happening in the year ahead and a lot of new places I will be traveling to.
Elise Natalie Model Comp Card