Sometimes to make it in this business you have to be self-confident and go after what you want. We spoke to Sara Lai aka @damesith about her love of modeling and where she hopes this journey will take her. Read her fun interview below.
(Courtesy of Brilliant Moments Photography)
Sara, tell us how did you develop an interest in fashion, beauty, modeling and traveling respectively?
SL: When I was younger people used to compliment the way I dressed, I would look at them rather befuddled and let them know all I did was wake up today. I have always enjoyed the beauty industry but from a distance. After becoming a freelance model, I learned that it was way more productive to learn how to do my own makeup and with simple tutorials on social media it is beyond easy to learn.
Travel has always been a passion of mine. I am not one to sit in one spot for too long. I stayed in Chicago, spent time in Kentucky and back to Chicago minus frequent road trips to get away from Chicago and off to California and now I am headed back to the Midwest perhaps to start some roots ! 😉
(Courtesy of David A Reichel)
What are you most proud of?
SL: I took this for granted a while back, but I am very proud of the progress I have made as a model and makeup artist. Over time I have learned to style myself, do my own hair and makeup; saving me money and hassle from relying on someone aside from the photographer to be there on time if not early. I also pride myself on my own timeliness for shoots it makes for a better shoot when you respect the other parties time as well. I know too many models that show up late or are no shows. It happens a lot with freelance models, not exactly sure why but it has a tendency to give us a bad name at times.
(Courtesy of Shutterfine)
Where do you get your sense of style from?
SL: I can’t pinpoint my style to be honest, but there are days where I leave my house in my fluffy green tattered robe and there are days where I am dressed like I am on my way to Sunday Service, actually.. to a club somewhere haha. What I mean is there are days when my face is beat to the gods and I look like a “snack”, other days I just look like a plain Jane. My favorite fashion for my shoots though derives from incorporating my lingerie or workout gear.
How important are ethical standards for influencers?
SL: For any influencer, not only for myself, I pride myself on my integrity. I would not have gotten as far as I have without it. So, if I represent a brand and fully back them I need to know I actually approve of their product and would use it and purchase it if it was not some collaboration or gig.
(Courtesy of Shutterfine)
You are a freelance model. What is the most annoying and most enticing aspect of this work?
SL: I love working with professionals, but I also love when newer photographers hire me because they have yet to shoot with an actual model and have only worked with still subjects such as architecture.
Something you love and hate about Los Angeles.
SL: Oh man let’s start with the incessant traffic, I hate traffic everyone I know has suggested I just stream myself driving and raging. One thing I do love, the shopping and tourist like sights, for instance the Bridge where they allow (maybe allowed) you to take photo of the Hollywood Sign
(Courtesy of Chilly White)
Who are your favorite musicians to jam out to when no one’s looking?
SL: I am a huge fan of Josh Vietti, all Old School Hip Hop Wutang and Ice Cube being a favorite of mine, G-Eazy, Mariann Hill, Kehlani and Chris Young. (Yes country, don’t judge.)
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
SL: Australia has been one of my dream destination spots but honestly anywhere but the US would be nice perhaps travel and take the Orient Express all over the UK.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your down time?
SL: I spend a lot of time with my pets, lizards and one-year old puppy. When I am in a calm mood, I like to play League of Legends. (Not a Pro not even close).
(Courtesy of Jim Lee Photography)
They say you are what you eat, what are you?
SL: I am a carnivore. Rare to medium rare steak is my go-to along with pasta and I cannot forget my best friends homemade fried chicken.
If your best friend could tell us something embarrassing about you, what would it be?
SL: I’m a human garbage disposal. My stomach is like a tank, when I was younger my grandma fed me all sorts of food and even cut around the mold [third world living in a first world]
(Courtesy of OutDaShedPhotography)
Lastly, tell us about your dream collab, who is it and why?
SL: I am all over the board, however my absolute dream collaboration would be with Star Wars even though Disney owns it now. I have always been a fan of the original trilogy not so much the newer episodes. Now if I was shooting for a
more realistic collaboration I would say with one of my favorite makeup brands, BPerfectCosmetics I LOVE each and every one of their palettes released up to date.
