Mermaid Taryn

My Key West Adventure

I contacted Mermaid Hunter because I saw his wonderful work through One Model Place, which is a portfolio hosting site. I emailed him telling him, I have wanted to be a Mermaid ever since I was a toddler.  I was so excited to get a reply right away. The Mermaid Hunter told me I was welcome to come down to Key West for a mini audition...he says "mini" because I made the dates to stay with him December 18th through the 20th. That time of the year the ocean water is way too cold to do a full audition which consists of going to a ship wreck about 30 feet below the surface of the ocean.
 
I couldn't wait until the 18th of December! I had to practice holding my breath because I need to get to one minute before I went to stay with Ed. I practiced, but I didn't practice too hard. By the 18th I could hold my breath for an average of about 1:20...out of water, sitting still.
 
The morning of the 18th Carlos and I woke up excited, but we were dreading the 7 to 8 hour drive. I didn't care as much because my mom let Carlos and I use her new Honda Civic and it's better on gas then my Ford. We packed our bags and we were off! We drove for ever and the closer we got the more excited and nervous I was. We drove through the everglades and that was cool because I have never been to them, but it was also boring. Once we started to drive through the Keys I was getting butterflies in my tummy, but the drive through them was longer then I expected, so the butterflies turned into hunger. Once we arrived to Ed's home he immediately started cooking while we unpacked and looked around. Ed has the best get away home, he built almost everything himself. The bathroom was my favorite because when you walk in, it's as thin as a hallway, you look left and there are more cloths and swimsuits then you can imagine. When you look to the right there is the bathroom. It was just so cool because he built it all himself. We sat down with Ed and talked so we could all get to know each other. His two great friends were moving in with him so we chatted with them as well while they were going back and fourth moving their things. When it was time for dinner we dropped everything and chomped down. Ed is the greatest cook, I haven't eaten that much in a long time and even though I was full I still wanted more.
 
Once dinner was over Carlos and I decided to drive around town even though It was Tuesday night in December there were still people out. I liked driving around because I haven't ever been to Key West and I need to scout out the places to shop for the next day. ;)
 
The next morning it was time for my audition at 11:00am. When Carlos and I woke up and were eating breakfast Ed gave Carlos a video camera, so he could film me behind the scenes. Water sucks all the color out of you so for the audition I needed to put on water proof make up and lipstick...for blush.
 
Once I was finished primping I walked out side to get in the Mermaid tank. To my surprise there was no ladder to get in the tank, but have no fear Ed Papp The Mermaid Hunter was here...he just lowered me in the tank with his super human strength. In the beginning of the audition in the tank I just swam under water with my eyes open to get used to it and to calm my nerves. After that Ed taught me how to look natural and glamorous under water. Once I mastered looking gorgeous under water it was time to move on to the athlete inside me. I had to hold my breath under water until I was about to pass out. In the beginning I could hold my breath over a minute, but my nerves were getting to me. In the end I could hold my breath for approximately 1:30, but Ed taught me an exercise on how to hold my breath for up to three minutes. I went under and felt like I was down there for such a long time and it freaked me out that I didn't have to breath, so I came up when I psyched myself out. In the end I only held my breath for 1:40, but Ed said I could easily get up to three minutes if I get over my psychological barrier. After that I held my breath while moving, I learned how to clear my mask if water gets in it and I learned how to breath with a scuba tank.
 
Once I passed my mini audition, I got to do a glamour underwater shoot in the tank. The footage turned out awesome when we watched it later that night! I am so excited I get to be Mermaid Taryn!

Me and my Merman !

The Last Sight a Sailor Sees Before Being Pulled Down, Down into the Depths!

Yes, I am Underwater in this Picture! Cool Hair huh?