It is with great pleasure (and no small sigh) that I welcome a special guest to ReganBlack.com today! Romance novel cover model, author, fitness expert, and all around great guy, Jason Baca, is here today! He’s graciously answered a few of my questions plus a few questions posed by readers. But the best news is he will stop by the blog today and chat with those who leave comments and one lucky commenter will will a signed photo of Jason!
If you can pull your gaze away from his stunning cover model work…here is more about Jason, in his own words:
RB: Would you please give us a quick overview of how you started gracing the covers of romance novels?
Jason: Sure, well I’d been doing fashion,fitness and ad modeling for 10 + yrs and was basically at the end of my career with it all. Then I walked into a bookstore and had seen a romance novel on the corner of my eye as I had been walking toward the sports section. It stopped me dead in my tracks and was drawn to it like a magnet on steel.
I went, picked up the book and looked at the guy on the cover. He looked just like me only I felt I was slightly better looking with a better body. It was at that very moment that I had decided to become a romance novel cover model. That spark is where it all began.
RB: Well I know several authors and more readers glad for that spark. Your covers are wonderful. Do you ever travel for photo shoots? If so, what’s been your favorite spot or setting?
Jason: Yes, there are shoots all over. LA often, San Francisco. My favorite was this one I did recently out in Modesto,CA which is a sleepy town out in the middle of nowhere. The people talk about fishing and simple things out there. Its not all business which I like. It’s easy living. My favorite setting though is in a warm studio. Outdoor stuff attracts a lot of on lookers which can be uncomfortable.
RB: These days it seems everyone is urged into multi-tasking and looking ahead to ‘the next thing’. I find your ability to focus a refreshing counterbalance to that attitude. If you ever struggle with distractions, how do you overcome them?
Jason: I try to see myself from a distance or from others perspectives. I disassociate from my body and see how I’m doing. I see what roads need paving and what I’ve exceled at. It’s very easy to get caught up in all 
sorts of things from personal problems to those being unhappy with your actions and can sometimes hold you back. The successful ones know how to push that stuff aside.
RB: Around here, I often encourage others to find their unique strengths and then use them, because everyone has some sort of gift or talent. What has your experience in cover modeling taught you about yourself and your unique personal strengths?
Jason: Great question! This has all taught me to NEVER listen to someone elses opinion on how your outlook should be on life. Before I ever began modeling I remember telling a close friend that I wanted to be a model. He said, “No man you can’t do that. Just do a normal job like normal people do.” I sat and thought about that one and almost “listened” to his advice.
But then after I went with what I wanted to do and became successful at it he “never recalls” saying to me that I could never do modeling. He changed his tone and said that I was a natural. With romance novel covers and being on them it has taught me that if you believe in yourself and want something bad enough, you’ll get your wishes..
RB: Can you share something you’ve found particularly surprising about the modeling industry?
Jason: Yes, that there are a whole variety of different types of models. When I started modeling I didn’t know this. I just thought a model was a male or female that was suppose to do ANY type of modeling. I also thought that in order to be a model you had to be able to do all these different crazy whacky facial expressions. That is only true for ad modeling. There are “expressionless” models which is right up my alley. Sure I can smile and have for several shoots but this confident serious attitude was what appealed to me most.
RB: If an independent author has a specific pose they’d like to see you in, is there a way they can request it? And where can authors go to find poses you’ve already done?
Jason: It’s very simple, if they have a pose they’d like to see me in they can email this website and tell them or send in a photo of what they want. Authors can purchase premade covers or find an unused stock photo from the database as well. It’s all located here: http://www.theauthorsredroom.com/cover-model-jason-baca-bares-it-all/
RB: If a publisher wants to hire you for a novel, where can they book you?
Jason: They’d have to book my through my management which is Halvorson Model Mgmt. http://www.hmmodels.com/model.asp?modelID=395
Now, here are a few questions readers sent in:
Do you attend reader or author conferences to help promote your cover modeling career?
Jason: No but I’m tempted to go to the RT conference next season in Kansas. I have a very shy personality so attending those may be a bit overwhelming for me.
If you could live anywhere where would it be?
Jason – I love this question! I would live on the Oregon Coast. It is untouched beauty at its finest. I drove through there on a vacation with my friends family back in 8th grade and dreamed of it ever since. I love everything about Oregon and its very peaceful with all the lush forests, streams, and crystal clear air that you breath in. If I was there now I’d just keep taking big breaths in!
How does it feel knowing readers equate your image with the heroes inside the books?
Jason – I think it makes me feel quite special that is for sure. To be the main character on the cover of a novel is rewarding. It means you are that hero, you are the one they will imagine as the book is being unraveled in their minds. What an elated feeling I get when I see myself on them.
Thanks so much for being here today, Jason! It was a pleasure getting to know you!
Readers, be sure to leave a comment for Jason and give him a warm welcome for being here today!
Remember, one lucky commenter will win a signed photo of Jason! (what a treat!!!)
Live the adventure!
Hey Jason, Thanks for sharing some of what your day is like. I was wondering how long an average shoot lasts? Also, (and I ask this without a catalog of all your covers to know how many have a clear shot of your face), do people recognize you on the street?
Kimberly
Okay, right off? HOT! You are soooo dammed cute Jason! LOL I know whats hot in covers and you do the trick, lol. My other statement: I agree about the Oregon coast, they call that area of Oregon the Emerald Coast…It’s deep blue on one side and Deep green on the other. Around Lincoln City, the beauty astounds the senses(I lived there for a couple of years) Your post here today? Made my morning a glorious one.
‘Wicked’ Leanore Elliott
I’m with Wicked Leanore there. Very nice! It kind of makes me wish we had used a picture of you for the main character in my book. You fit the description very well. 😉 I’m very glad you came and shared with us. I look forward to seeing many more covers featuring you.
It helps me to have hope for my success hearing stories of others who strive for excellence and make it. It’s very inspiring, thank you.
Jill Ranney-Campbell
Hi Kimberly,
Well thank you as well… Well lets see, depending on how many looks they want it can take anywhere from 1-5 hrs. There are usually quite a few outfit changes during the session as well as lighting adjustments so that can make the shoots last.. As for the other part, yes, I get it now more so then before. I will get people that pass by and look at me then will ponder over how they know my face…
Leanore ~ Well thank you very much for that vibrant comment, you are too kind! And yes, Ore. is a beautiful untouched place!
Wow! It was great to learn more about what you do and how you get started as a cover model. I was curious – do you usually work with the same one or two photographers? How do your shoots differ if the photographer is different?
Hi Jason, I like to exercise at the gym a little with cardio and weights, so I’m curious about your workout routine to stay in shape and what your usual pre and post workout meals are like? Thanks!
Penumbra,
I keep things as strict as possible with the meals.. No heavy carbs after 6pm and if I do get hungry, I drink water. During the day I constantly eat tuna,cottage cheese,turkey lunchmeat, skinless chicken,yogurt and some fruit.
For the gym, I do my weights first and follow that up with 10 minutes of ab crunches then finally 15 minutes of the stairclimber.
I’m afraid I’m not that disciplined about my food, especially after dinner snacks.
If you don’t mind me asking another question, you mentioned you’d been modeling for 10+ years before becoming a romance cover model. How did you get started in fashion modeling?
I don’t mind at all Kathy… I put aside this time I had today to give my reponses to those that want to know more on here..
To answer your question about how I got started with modeling, I was discovered by the lead photographer of the movie “I Know What You Did Last Summer” I was there as a double for one of the main actors. That was the first time I got a feel for all of this.
Another question, haha! I’m guessing you can probably have quite a long career being a romance cover model since older distinguished looking men are also always appreciated 😉 But I’m wondering if you may have plans for other career options besides modeling if you ever decide to stop or scale back you work?
Well thank you Jill, you are too kind! And I look forward to being a part of one of your covers some day as well…
Jay – Excellent question. I have worked with over 200 photographers and each of them has a dif. personality they bring to the studio. Some are quick and rushed, others are slow and creative. Some have no personality so its up to me as the model to be creative with my inner vision. Others show me photos beforehand of what they want. It all depends..
It’s really great to know more behind the cover model. It has to be cut throat and as a shy person myself, that scares me to death! Congratulations on a wonderful career. I hope to see you grace more covers in the future!
ps: the central coast of CA (think Big Sur) is pretty awesome too.
Sheri,
Thank you… and yes, I can imagine it can be cut throat for those just getting started in this sort of thing. Its not an easy thing.. And I love Big Sur, though that bridge crossing over is a little sketchy!
Excellent, excellent post. Jason, I loved your answer to the last question. To me, that says so much about you.
Jason –
It was very nice & refreshing to read an interview from someone in a different area of the publishing industry.
You should definitely try to attend the RT convention – authors and readers would love to see you and talk with you.
Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}