Joining us all the way from Perth Australia is a multi talented aspiring model Natasha. Checkout her full interview below.
Natasha who are you, what is your journey so far?
NP: My name is Natasha and I am 22 years old. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Australia at the end of 2019. So far, I believe I have lived a very fulfilled life; by spending every moment doing what I really enjoy and love. This includes: modelling, travelling, pushing myself to try new and challenging sports (e.g. snowboarding/skiing, archery, karate, sandboarding), learning different languages, adventuring through many different landscapes such as mountains and waterfalls, attending cultural events such as Carnival in Trinidad, keeping active and socialising. I like to tell myself to ‘always have as much fun as I can while I can, and to never take anything for granted.’ This saying motivates me to step outside my comfort zone and allows me to fill my life with valuable and memorable experiences.
What’s your take on Instagram in general? Do you like to curate your feed or keep it as close as possible to your authentic self?
NP: I think Instagram is a wonderful platform for people to express themselves through photos. I love that these photos don’t necessarily need to be of the self but can be simply be any picture that resonates with one’s identity. For me, Instagram’s a platform to post modelling photos as a portfolio for businesses and photographers to find me, but it is also a platform to showcase all my experiences throughout my life. In this way, I believe that I do curate my feed to keep it as close as possible to my authentic self as it displays everything that I love doing, my beliefs, and experiences that I find valuable; therefore, making my Instagram an extension of my identity.
Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far through Instagram?
NP: As most of my modelling opportunities come through Instagram, the most interesting people I’ve met through Instagram would be other creatives in the modelling industry. Through modelling, I have had the opportunity to meet many other models, photographers, make-up artists, business owners, and even musicians. I find these creatives interesting because they all share a high appreciation for different art forms and are very passionate in regard to creating their own art.
Being part of an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
NP: I keep myself grounded in this industry by staying true to my own values and beliefs, only accepting opportunities that coincide with these values and beliefs and posting content that is true to my lifestyle. I keep myself focused on what makes me happy and therefore post what I love, rather than what I think others might want me to portray myself as.
Let’s talk about photo shoots. What do you look for in the photographer when you’re looking to schedule a shoot. What are the must haves to work with you?
NP: For photoshoot opportunities, I first look at whether the style/purpose of the shoot fits the rest of my modelling portfolio; although I love trying new things so unique and creative ideas are what I typically like to take on in photoshoots. Then, I’ll look at the reputation of the photographer, whether they have experience and most importantly whether it is safe to work with them. I do this by getting in contact with well-known photographers and models in the industry and asking about their opinion on the photographer in question.
Is there work behind a photo posted on Instagram?
NP: There is definitely some work that goes into posting my photos on Instagram. In relation to my modelling photos, it would be the time and effort that goes into the photoshoot like make-up/hair, as well as the overall time it takes to do the photoshoot which can take hours. For other photos that I have personally taken, I do put effort into editing the photos as my feed follows a bright, colourful and vibrant theme. Usually, I just brighten the photos and make the colours stand out more to fit the rest of my feed.
Do you give importance to a healthy lifestyle / diet?
NP: I give importance to a healthy lifestyle, more in the way of keeping mentally healthy by balancing work with socialising, keeping active, stimulating the mind by reading and learning new things, and by making new life experiences.
Something you love and hate about your home state?
NP: I love that Perth is surrounded by such beautiful landscapes like unique rock formations such as Wave Rock, pristine beaches, waterfalls, hills, valleys , sand dunes, amongst many other things that keep you adventuring locally. In saying that, I also hate how isolated Perth is from the rest of the world, making travelling outside of my home city difficult.
Everyone loves to travel one way or another. Where have you been that has left an everlasting impression on you?
NP: I have travelled through quite a lot of Asia such as: Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. I’ve also travelled through a lot of Europe such as: Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. I have been to parts of the Caribbean and also parts of America. Each of these experiences has left an everlasting impression on me as each country is so different, in terms of culture and way of living. This is why I think travelling is so important and valuable because it allows you to better understand other cultures and how other’s live, leading to a much more open-minded approach to the world.
Where do you hope your Instagram journey takes you? What are you looking forward to in the new year? Anything we should be on the lookout for?
NP: Honestly, I post on Instagram just to share a part of my life and my experiences with my followers so I don’t really have any goals when it comes to Instagram, except to keep doing what I enjoy and posting what I love. The next adventure I have planned in the foreseeable future is living and teaching English in schools in Japan for a year. I’ll be moving there solo and will definitely be an experience that is way out of my comfort-zone but I think that is what life is all about. So, expect to see many photos from that trip on my Instagram when it comes!
General words of wisdom to live by?…
NP: My words of wisdom would be: 1) Have as much fun as you can while you can, 2) Never take anything for granted, and 3) Experience as much as you can of what the world has to offer.
