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I am Panteley Marinski and I will talk about my story and the unconventional combination of my professions. Architecture has been my passion since I was in the 7th grade. This started when my arts teacher showed me a book filled with architectural projects. From that day forward my life had changed and I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. 
Thus began the path on which I walk to this day with a smile and great gratitude to Mrs. Alexandrova. Over the years, I achieved my goals in this field. However, when meeting someone new, they were somehow quick to make an assumption about my field of work and say:
“You must be a model!” I attributed such comments to my good looks that I have always tried to maintain, because as a person involved in the art of "Architecture", I believe that the ability to create a quality, functional and aesthetic space should not be refrained only to our professional projects , but it should find its reflection in the way we look and live. I had never considered whether people were seeing something more, which maybe I was missing.
That was until one beautiful November day I found myself in front of the camera of Kiril Stanoev. Although it was chilly and gloomy outside, the day was amazing because it marked the start of my niece's modelling career. This was the day when she had to attend her first test photoshoot with Alia Models for her portfolio. As she did not know the city of Sofia very well and felt a little bit nervous, she asked me to accompany her and I gladly accepted. Being part of such a special moment for a loved one is a privilege so could never refuse. We got up early, had a coffee and set off with a huge bag of clothes for the photoshoot. When we arrived at the studio, I asked the photographer if I could stay and observe the process. He was kind enough to let me stay. Three hours later they had finished shooting and we started packing our bags.
At that moment the photographer asked me if I was also a model and proposed to take a few shots of me that he would send to the agency and they might get in touch with me. My life experience so far has shown that nothing happens by accident. Sometimes we get an opportunity that we did not even dream of. I believe that if a door opens we should not close it with haste. That is why I decided to take those few photos.
A month later I received a call from an unknown number. I picked up. I heard a woman's voice, a serious voice filled with ambition and tenderness, specific qualities that capture your attention in a matter of seconds. This was Alia Models' booker. She told me I had a lot of potential. She added that she would be happy to help me develop it and embark on this journey together. She also explained in detail what the field of modelling entails and the types of models and work engagements. At the end of the conversation I asked if I could think about the proposal for a few days and to call her back when I have reached a decision. I hung up. I put my phone down on the desk and I went to the mirror. Looking at my reflection I remembered all the things people would tell me about me becoming a model. I never paid much attention to them.
Evidently those words were not based only on my look but an emotion I displayed. The word 'adventure' came to mind and with every second past I felt as if my soul was trembling with excitement. I smiled and went back to my desk.
My attempts to concentrate failed. My head was brimming with thoughts and my soul was like a stage on which all emotions were invited for debate.
I have always believed that exposure to various types of art enriches us and helps develop a multi-layered education that provides a larger spectrum of thought. So, after two hours of thinking I decided to trust faith and do it despite the fact that I did not know what I was getting myself into. By pressing the dial button I gave the green light to this fairy tale that I am now part of. Yes, a fairy tale because as a model I have the opportunity to play different roles, recreate various emotions and work with creative teams with whom we create magical photo and video projects.
The key to success in the modelling industry is to be authentic during the work process and in your everyday life appearance.
We are like the white canvas of an artist - that one element that allows different artists (photographers, directors, designers, etc.) to realise their art through us, so we can breathe life into their creation by moving the viewers. The outer appearance is not everything! This may sound surprising but it is a fact. Being a model does not mean that the only thing you have to do is to maintain your natural looks.
Being a model requires discipline, work ethic, research skills, emotional intelligence and analysis of behaviour through which one can build their culture of visual expression. Models must have good emotional intelligence, a willingness to learn new things and skills because this is the only way they can develop their talent.
Apart from the more serious side of modelling, there is a sweeter one that gives us the chance to make some of your childhood dreams come true.
In the last work engagement I played the role of a friend of Santa Claus. This created a strong charge that energised my soul. Since I was a child this period of the year was my favourite. Kindness, love, purity of souls, the magical image of the white bearded old man are a symbol of warmth and devotion. Although the work day was 12 hours long, time flew by incredibly quickly. These emotions are the added value of our profession.
To my mind architecture helps develop spatial thinking on set and modelling on the other hand aids communication with investors. Architecture and modelling are two vast and very different fields of work, however, I believe they complement each other, which makes them the perfect companions with whom I walk the runway of the art called Life.
Author - Panteley Marinski
