Written by Laura Billingsley
Photo by Ben Easter
Jenn Hoffman, photo assistant
Tony Sadiq, hair/grooming
Eric Brockob, post-production
Location: Murray McMurray Hatchery in Webster City
Five things to know about Winston Relph
1. Relph was “discovered” after modeling for only eight months.
But the Corydon native seems to be a natural. “I’d been told by some people to consider (modeling) while I was in high school,” says Relph, 20. “I didn’t really think about it much until I started working several jobs, saving money for (college). I was looking for something different to try.” So last summer, he submitted photos to The Peak Agency in Des Moines, which Relph credits with launching his career. Peak is “honest and real,” he says. “They’re very sincere, and I think that’s valuable in any profession.”
Steve Myers, owner and president of Peak, helped train Relph and encouraged him to attend an International Modeling & Talent Association event in Los Angeles. There, Relph met with agencies, learned to walk a runway and left with a pocketful of contacts, as well as an award for first runner-up male model of the year. In late winter, Relph signed with agencies in Los Angeles and Wisconsin, and as of press time, he was planning to move to Los Angeles as soon as he found a place to live.
2. He calls his signature look “serious,” almost like he’s glaring.
Relph’s look has been described as high fashion, often requiring swagger and a solemn expression. It took him a while to discover that side of himself, and although he finds that some poses can be “intentional and forced,” modeling “can also be fun because sometimes you just crack up laughing,” he says.
3. He played a demon in a horror film.
Relph has worked a number of jobs since graduating from high school, but perhaps his most unusual was the role of “lesser demon” in the horror film “Demonica,” produced by Prescribed Films of Ottumwa. The movie tells the story of teens trapped in a roller rink and attacked by demons, and filming took place at Spinnin’ Wheels Skate Center in Oskaloosa. For Relph, work meant showing up at 10 p.m. in full makeup and waiting six to eight hours for his scenes to shoot. The film is currently in post-production.
4. He’s excited to travel internationally.
Relph’s only trip outside the United States has been to the Bahamas, but soon his modeling career could take him around the world. “I might be doing work in Italy and France, cities like Milan and Paris, maybe Japan, China,” he says. “I’m really open to any of it.”
5. Celebrity isn’t important to him.
“I don’t really care if I become famous,” Relph says. “I just hope to get enough work … and have fun. I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen to me.”
Note from the editor: All of us at dsm are deeply concerned about the safety, well-being and humane treatment of all animals. No chicks were harmed in any way during this photo shoot.
