A Ringgold resident has been chosen to be in a modeling contest through a Nashville magazine called Nashville Newzine.

Jake Waters was contacted through MySpace, a social networking website where he had posted photos by local photographers. The magazine representative requested to use Waters’ photos.

Each model has a slideshow of about seven photos. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize.

Voting for the male models begins on Feb. 15. The contest is for male models, and the winner is chosen based on the number of votes each model receives on the website. The highest vote-getter is the winner. (To vote in the Nashville Newzine modeling contest, visit www.nashvillenewzine.com/MaleModels.html#). A female model competition has already concluded.

The female winners — first place and a runner-up — were announced in Franklin, Tenn., on Jan. 24. The awards can be viewed in Nashville Newzine’s reality web series called “UnDiscovered.” The winners of the male modeling contest will be announced in April.

Waters’ photos are from local photographer Chip Talbert of Fable Photography. Waters has also done work with another local photographer, Josh Dillon, whose company is called JDillon Photography.

“I’m still a newcomer to the business,” Waters said.

Modeling is not his career focus. Waters is attending Chattanooga State Technical Community College for its two-year professional acting program.

Though acting is where his passion lies, Waters said he enjoys modeling.

“I enjoy modeling because of the process of the photographer and the model coming together to create something new, be it an idea, a concept, or an advertisement,” he said.

For Waters, modeling and acting are linked.

“For every type of shoot you do you are becoming a different personality which is a way of acting,” he said.

About the other models, Waters said “There’s obviously a lot of very talented guys on there, but I think I stand out in the fact that I am real. I’m not this big, muscular, unapproachable, ripped dude, and I think that’s a good thing because I’m relatable.”

Waters works at Vaudeville Café Murder Mystery Dinner Shows in Chattanooga. The shows there are comedies and include some improvisation because of audience participation and changing casts.

“I like creating things that make people think,” he said. “With everything I do, I want to do something fun and outside the box.”

Waters was recently cast in an eight-minute film called “Karma” written by local director Robert Evans. It’s a horror film, in which Waters tussles with a vampire.

Waters said he has wanted a role in a horror film and is excited to begin filming.

Closeup: Jake Waters

Family: “I have a huge family. I’d have to write a paragraph to list them all.”

Church: Cornerstone Baptist Church

Favorite movies: “Red Eye,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “(500) Days Of Summer,” “Yes Man,” “White Chicks,” “Over The Hedge,” and “Madagascar 2.”

Favorite musicians: Avril Lavigne, Daughtry, Matt Nathanson, Creed, Lesley Roy, Shinedown, Lifehouse, Katy Perry, Luna Halo, Krystal Meyers, She & Him, Casting Crowns, Yellowcard, Kelly Clarkson, Sum 41, Boys Like Girls, Natascha Sohl, and Evan Taubenfeld.

Hobbies: Acting, writing, modeling, photography, traveling, running, and “just hanging out with my friends.”

Favorite TV show: “I really don’t have time to watch TV, but when I do, “American Idol“ is where it‘s at.”

Favorite actors/actresses: Jim Carrey, Johnny Depp, Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, and Zooey Deschannel.

Favorite quotes: “Who's to say there's something wrong with being set apart?” and “Be happy. Don't limit yourself. You can go just about anyplace you set your mind to.”

Something most people don’t know about me: “I’m an open book. If there is something you want to know, just ask me.”