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INTERVIEW
THE JOURNEY
From the ballet archives to the camera -a journey of passion, purpose and self-discovery.
"Modeling isn't just about looking beautiful. It's about storytelling, creativity and bringing art to life."
ON HER JOURNEY. HER PASSION. WHAT COMES NEXT
A Creative Soul
A CONVERSATION WITH
**Personal & Career Journey**
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your modeling career?
I’m from Northern Ireland, but I’m now living in The Netherlands. I’m a ballet historian and a writer, and I only started modeling in 2024. My interest started in November 2023 after I set up a new website about myself and my work and projects. I asked a friend to do a photoshoot with me so my site would have professional photos. Then in January 2024, my friend, Thomas McQuillan, an award-winning videographer and filmmaker from Belfast, made a promo video for me. It was after we made this video and I saw the results that I started to wonder if I could be a model.
What inspired you to become a model?
It was in June 2024 when I met my friend, Astrid Ruxandra, who is a model and an actress based in Belfast. The first time we met, we got talking and she said that I had a lot of potential to be a model and she encouraged me to give it a go. I took her advice and later that year, I did a photoshoot in Tollymore Forest in Co. Down and it was an amazing experience. I started to realise that what Astrid had said was true.
Was there a defining moment that made you realize modeling was your true passion?
After the Tollymore Forest photoshoot, I wanted to do more. When I decided to do another one, I arranged to do my next shoot in June 2025 with Taya Malovichko, a really talented photographer based in The Netherlands. My first photoshoot with Taya was at the beautiful Hotel Des Indes in The Hague and it was a wonderful experience. When the photos were released, one of my friends said to me, "This’ll be the start of your modeling career." And I realised that modeling was something I really enjoyed and wanted to keep doing.
**Industry Experience & Challenges**
What has been the most exciting or memorable shoot you’ve worked on?
I’ve worked on some amazing photoshoots that each had their own brilliance and uniqueness. It’s hard to choose a single favourite, but one of my favourites was when I modeled as a mermaid and a sea goddess on Kijkduin Beach because it’s not every day that you get to be a mermaid or a sea goddess.
Have you faced any challenges in the modeling industry? If so, how did you overcome them?
So far, the biggest challenge I have faced was to start modeling after never thinking it was something I could be good at. But when I started, I overcame that challenge and now, it’s one of my passions.
How do you prepare for a big shoot or runway show?
I always think about the theme of the photoshoot; the location, what I’ll be wearing and what I can bring to the shoot and the atmosphere. I’ve been very lucky to have gotten to shoot in some beautiful places and I prepare myself by thinking about, "how can I add to the beauty of the location and what story can I tell? What can I add that is my own?"
*Creative Process & Style**
How would you describe your modeling style?
Artistic, creative, gentle, elegant and feminine. Artistry and creativity are the most important elements because models are artists. We’re not just posers, we’re not posing for fun or to look beautiful or to show off. When we do photoshoots, we are making art and with our teams, we create something very beautiful, something that is very real.
Do you prefer editorial, commercial, or runway modeling, and why?
Definitely editorial because it’s all about artistry, creativity, beauty and storytelling, and it offers much more freedom. It gives you the chance to make art in different places, to play different characters and to embody different looks. There is so much that the camera captures, so many moments and details of art and beauty. I have found that editorial modeling is such a beautiful way to unleash your own style and individuality and to create something unique and meaningful.
What role do you think storytelling plays in modeling?
Storytelling plays a huge role in modeling because there’s always a story and a meaning behind everything. When I do photoshoots, the place where I’m shooting, whether it’s a building or in nature, always has a story or many stories about it, everything is there for a reason. So, storytelling in modeling gives meaning to the art. It’s not just about getting in front of the camera and doing pretty poses; there has to be a meaning to it. There always has to be life in every shoot otherwise, it doesn’t work. If there’s no life, no meaning, no story, then it just looks dead. Every piece of good art has a story behind it and it's the artist's role (the photographer, the model, the designer, etc) to bring the story to life.
MODEL | WRITER
BALLET HISTORIAN
**Influences & Inspirations**
Are there any models, photographers, or designers who have inspired you?
Those who I have worked with are some of the most inspirational, creative people I have ever met. Anna Psy, the owner of Art Photos Project, who I have worked with on several projects, is a huge inspiration to me. She and her team present a variety of creative ideas, experiences and adventures that are so unique and artistic that they bring so much art, beauty and emotion to the surface.
Anna, Taya and all the photographers I have worked with have helped me to discover a talent and a beauty that I didn’t think I had before and they’ve encouraged me to unleash it all with the most amazing results.
How do you stay motivated and continue growing as a model?
The self-discoveries that I have made about myself since I started modeling; the encouragement and support I’ve received from those I’ve worked with, my family and friends, and seeing the results of my photoshoots has all added to my confidence. And self-confidence is a big motivation. When you know you’re good at something and you love doing it, that’s plenty of motivation to keep going.
With every photoshoot I do, I grow more as a model because every shoot is different and fresh. You learn and gain something new from each shoot; they’re never the same, and that’s one of the best parts about modeling. With every modeling experience, event and project that you do, you grow; you don’t go static. You'll only go static if you don’t really love it or if you start listening to the wrong people.
**Future Goals & Advice**
What are your biggest career goals for the future?
My biggest goals are to be a successful ballet historian, giving ballet history lectures and events all over the world; to be a published writer by publishing a book, and to be a successful model with beautiful prints published in magazines.
Do you have any dream collaborations or brands you'd love to work with?
​I would love to work with some of my favourite brands, including Intimissimi, delilah cosmetics, Lily And Rose Jewellery and Enchanted Disney Fine Jewellery. I would also love to collaborate with one of my favourite health and wellbeing brands, Ancient + Brave. And I would really love to work with the gorgeous dress-making brand, Needle and Thread; I would love to model their beautiful dresses.
What advice would you give to aspiring models looking to break into the industry?
If you want to model, if modeling is something you love to do, then do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not beautiful or you don’t have the right body type. If anyone tells you that, you’re listening to the wrong people. If you have art and beauty to share with the world, get out there and share it because the world needs it more than you think.
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