A realistic first visit to a modeling agency usually doesn't involve signing a contract immediately. The agency normally wants to evaluate the person's natural potential first. Here's a continuation that follows that process while keeping your story's tone.
After breakfast, the three of them took a taxi to the IMG office.
As the car drove through the streets of New York, Manu pressed his face against the window.
"Appa, these buildings are so tall! Even if I look up, I can't see the top."
Nagaraju laughed.
"That's New York for you."
Akshata remained quiet.
Nagaraju noticed her fingers gently fidgeting.
"Nervous aa?" he asked.
"A little, Appa."
He smiled.
"That's normal. Just remember—you don't have to become someone else today. Just be yourself."
She nodded.
...
A few minutes later, they arrived at the building.
Akshata looked up at it and took a deep breath.
"So... this is it."
They entered the reception area.
The receptionist greeted them politely.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
Nagaraju stepped forward.
"Good morning. Mr. Daniel asked us to visit today."
The receptionist checked the schedule.
"Yes, Mr. Nagaraju. Mr. Daniel informed us. Please have a seat. He'll be with you shortly."
The family sat in the waiting area.
Models, photographers, and staff members walked past carrying portfolios and garment bags.
Manu leaned toward Akshata and whispered,
"Akka... everyone looks so serious."
She smiled.
"Maybe they're just busy."
A few minutes later, Daniel appeared.
"Good morning! I'm glad you came."
He shook hands with Nagaraju before turning to Akshata.
"Are you ready?"
She smiled politely.
"I think so."
Daniel led them into a meeting room.
After everyone sat down, he began explaining.
"Mr. Nagaraju, before anything else, I'd like to explain our process."
"We don't sign anyone immediately."
"Today is simply an evaluation."
"We'll take a few natural photographs—without heavy makeup or elaborate styling."
"We'll record basic measurements, observe how Akshata walks, how she presents herself, and have a short conversation with her."
"If our team believes she has strong potential, we'll invite her for the next stage."
Nagaraju nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you for explaining everything clearly."
Daniel smiled.
"We believe both the model and the family should understand every step before making any decisions."
He then looked at Akshata.
"One more thing."
She looked at him.
"Don't try to impress us."
She seemed surprised.
Daniel chuckled.
"The biggest mistake many aspiring models make is pretending to be someone they're not."
"We're looking for potential, personality, professionalism, and confidence."
"If you don't know something, simply say you don't know."
"If you're nervous, it's perfectly fine."
"We're not looking for perfection."
"We're looking for someone real."
Nagaraju quietly glanced at his daughter with pride.
Before she could answer, he spoke.
"Akshu..."
She turned toward him.
"Remember what I told you this morning?"
She smiled.
"Be myself."
He nodded.
"Exactly."
Daniel stood up.
"Wonderful."
"Our photographer is ready."
"If you're comfortable, we'll begin with a few simple digitals."
Akshata stood, took a slow breath, and smiled.
"Yes. I'm ready."
As she followed Daniel toward the studio, Nagaraju folded his hands quietly.
As Akshata followed Daniel down the hallway toward the studio, her heartbeat grew faster with every step.
"Why am I so nervous?" she thought.
The truth was, in both her previous life and this one, she had never been comfortable in front of a camera. Even taking a simple photo on her own phone or posing for an ID card had always felt awkward. She never knew where to look, what to do with her hands, or how to smile naturally.
Fortunately, the previous evening, after everyone had gone to sleep, she had quietly practiced with Kalpa.
Inside her mind, Kalpa had patiently guided her.
"Host, relax your shoulders."
"Don't force a smile."
"Imagine you're simply having a conversation with the camera."
For nearly two hours, Kalpa had helped her understand basic posture, simple poses, and how slight changes in the angle of her face could completely change a photograph.
Even after all that practice, however, Akshata was only slightly more confident. She still wasn't completely comfortable.
As they entered the studio, Daniel noticed her nervous expression almost immediately.
He smiled reassuringly.
"First time?"
Akshata gave an embarrassed smile.
"Is it that obvious?"
Daniel laughed kindly.
"Very."
"You'd be surprised how many successful models have stood exactly where you are, feeling exactly the same."
His words eased her tension a little.
Inside the studio, a middle-aged photographer adjusted his camera before looking up with a friendly smile.
"So, you're Akshata."
"Yes."
"Welcome. Don't worry—we're not here to judge you. We're here to see the real you."
Daniel added,
"She's never had a professional photoshoot before."
The photographer nodded as if that explained everything.
"That's perfectly fine."
He walked over to the backdrop.
"Today isn't about creating magazine covers."
"It's about seeing your natural features and how comfortable you become in front of the camera."
He pointed toward the mark on the floor.
"Just stand here."
Akshata did as instructed.
The photographer didn't lift the camera immediately.
Instead, he spent a few minutes talking casually.
"So... how are you finding New York?"
"It's beautiful," Akshata replied.
"My younger brother is enjoying it more than I am."
The photographer laughed.
"I believe that."
The simple conversation made her smile naturally.
Only then did he quietly raise the camera.
Click.
He lowered it again.
"See? That smile wasn't posed."
"That's the one I want."
As the session continued, he gave small, easy-to-follow instructions.
"Turn a little to your left."
"Relax your hands."
"Good."
"Lift your chin just slightly."
"Perfect."
Whenever Akshata became stiff, he never rushed her.
"Take a breath."
"We have plenty of time."
"There are no wrong answers here."
Daniel stood quietly in the corner, observing.
He had worked with many aspiring models over the years, and he knew that confidence could not be forced. It grew when someone felt safe.
The photographer was equally patient. Having photographed countless new faces, he understood that a person's first professional shoot was often more about encouragement than photography.
Gradually, Akshata's nervousness began to fade.
She stopped thinking about the camera.
Instead, she simply listened, relaxed, and let her natural expressions emerge.
Daniel exchanged a brief glance with the photographer.
The photographer gave a subtle nod.
Without saying a word, both of them recognized the same thing.
The girl standing before them wasn't an experienced model.
But she was highly coachable, composed, and authentic—qualities that couldn't be taught as easily as posing.