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Modeling career takes off for Academy of the Holy Names student, 15

 
As a high school freshman, Camille Opp participated in a photo shoot for Vogue Italia. She says she was discovered at the end of seventh grade. She started modeling at Alexa Model & Talent Management in Tampa, and went on to model in New York and Miami.
As a high school freshman, Camille Opp participated in a photo shoot for Vogue Italia. She says she was discovered at the end of seventh grade. She started modeling at Alexa Model & Talent Management in Tampa, and went on to model in New York and Miami.
Published Feb. 18, 2015

With features resembling those of Guess model Gigi Hadid and even Victoria's Secret's Candice Swanepoel, Camille Opp strolled through the double glass doors of a Crisper's restaurant wearing a chic jet-black dress and heels.

"I'm going to a dinner after this, so that's why I'm dressed like this," she said with a smile. "I'm actually very casual."

To say that Opp lives a busy lifestyle would be an understatement. First, there's school for the 15-year-old sophomore at Academy of the Holy Names. Then there's volleyball practice, conditioning and weekend tournaments. Then there's her breakout modeling career.

Opp reminisced about being discovered. She said she was walking on the beach with her friend when a woman approached Opp's mother, who was watching the two teens. The woman said, " 'Hey, is this your daughter?' My mom was scared that I did something." Then the woman told Opp's mom, "You should really get your daughter into modeling."

"This was at the end of seventh grade," Opp said. "She then said, 'Call me on Monday.' We talked and I went into her office, and she told me that I need to go to New York and Miami."

Opp started at Alexa Model & Talent Management in Tampa, then moved to Next Model Management around the eighth grade. After working in Tampa and Miami, she signed with Click Models, a small agency in New York.

In a four-year career, she has modeled in a variety of platforms, ranging from Disney and Universal commercials to editorial campaigns for print and online, including world-renowned Vogue Italia.

"Italian Vogue was my favorite photo shoot because it was shot in the Everglades," Opp said. "I got to go in an airboat, and they had a live alligator that I had to hold. I had to hold its mouth and stand there and smile. It was so scary, but it was really cool. It was a lot more high fashion, so I had to be a lot more mature."

Recently, Opp shot for Tampa Bay Magazine and Peace Love World, another personal favorite.

"Peace Love World has been amazing to work with," she said. "It's a company in Miami, and a lot of celebrities like the Kardashians, Ellen (DeGeneres) and Oprah (Winfrey) wear these clothes. It's kind of like a new brand, and their designs are casual, comfortable and send a great message."

Opp loves modeling and wants to pursue it professionally, but she also aspires to further her athletic career.

"Volleyball is my number one, too, and I want to play in college and become an ESPN sportscaster," Opp said. The University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Florida and the University of Miami are her dream schools. "I definitely make volleyball a priority, so it's not all about modeling.

"I also don't really worry about getting injured playing volleyball and how it would impact my modeling. If you are a true athlete, you play at the top of your game at all times," Opp said. "I was punched in the mouth at a tournament once when I went up for a kill by the opposing block two days before leaving to go to New York to start with my agency. I just kept lots and lots of ice on it."

This summer, when Opp turns 16, she will be traveling again to the Big Apple. She will sign and meet with a larger agency, which she hopes will launch her high-fashion career.

"Probably my dream is (to model) Burberry or Gucci, but definitely when I sign in New York, I want to work with Hollister and Abercrombie and teen things," she said. "This is going to be the year that I am going to book a bunch of things. I was thinking that when I go to New York and meet with my new agent that I could maybe get into Fashion Week [modeling]."

Opp says she will always stay true to herself, no matter where she goes or what she is told.

"If anybody said anything to me about my weight, I would not change it whatsoever. I'm not about that losing weight. You should just be the way you are."