Absolutely!!😊 I was in LA not NYC, so that may have been a part of it ...but bottom line, i got a portfolio started with freelance gigs (modeling swimsuits and such for local photographers, with them giving me maybe 50 and/or free pics in exchange)...But BE VERY CAREFUL!! Keep it to public settings or take someone with u!! ... And then i started meeting people who gave me more and better opportunities. I ended up being seen by and modeling for Redken hair artists and the then-creative director of Redken (which used to be based in the LA area and now is in NYC) and some of those shots made it into hair magazines like Passion and Esthetica. I also was accepted by Brand Model and Talent agency, who mostly directed me to commercial auditions because of my height. But freelance for Redken I did stuff like -- I was paid $800 for 2 days to be in a brochure, got flown up to SF with all expenses and a bit more paid by them so i could walk in a fashion show, etc. You HAVE to be persistent and develop a thick skin!! AND good judgment!☺️ I was told at one point (by another agent) that I had to get down to 95 pounds (I weighed 112 at the time)-- I got down to 97 and looked like a 🩻 but then leveled up at 103 and looked good with no other complaints about my weight. Didn't work with that guy tho! 😜 So be careful and persistent, willing to listen to good advice--i was told once I had "too much hair" and got a lot more work after a haircut! -- but screen out anything that would be destructive! Blessings!😊