She took another job as a secretary to pay the bills. One day, while walking around Coney Island, she was discovered by Jerry Tibbs (members.tripod.com/~spaceagegirl/bet5.html). This would be the man that would change her life forever. .
Jerry Tibbs was a New York policeman who also dabbled in photography. He was interested in her as a model, even though she denied ever pursuing it. She told him of her interest in acting and her offered to create a portfolio for her for free. During her photo shoot, Tibbs gave Bettie her signature bangs, one of the features that make her one of the most recognizable models of all time. "[Jerry Tibbs was] the one who got me wearing bangs. For years I had my hair parted down the middle in a ponytail, tucked down around the sides. But he said to me, 'Bettie, you've got a very high forehead. I think you'd look good if you cut some bangs to cover it.' Well, I went and cut the bangs, and I've been wearing them ever since. They say it's my trademark (BettiePage.com)." The photos taken by Jerry Tibbs got Bettie published in local papers, but as popular as they were, they did not take Bettie's career off. .
It was the connections she made with Jerry Tibbs that allowed Bettie's modeling career to flourish. Mr. Tibbs" comrades enjoyed using Bettie as the subject of their photos because of her willingness to pose in the nude. "I was never one who was squeamish about nudity. I don't believe in being promiscuous about it (BettiePage.com)." The medium excited her and she worked hard to get the photos of her out to the public. In the pictures of Bettie where she was wearing clothing, it was often that of her own design. Bettie took her career into her own hands, making sure that she held control of her fate. The control was empowering to her, and pushed her along as if it were her drug. .
All the balls were set in motion for Bettie Page's career in modeling to take off.