Meet Kira Imani

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Imani.

Kira, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For as long as I can remember, modeling is all over ever wanted to do. I’ve never considered any other career path because I’ve always felt strongly that I would be able to successfully pursue this one. From as young as 13, I’ve been told that I had the height and the looks for modeling. But more than anything, I have the feeling. I have a passion for this industry stronger than anything I’ve known. With the support of my parents, following high school graduation, I took a gap year. This decision was a hard one to make and I almost didn’t go through with it. But in November 2018, I was 3 states away from everyone and everything I had known my entire life. I picked up and moved to Washington, DC on a whim and a ____ that I’d have the opportunity to privately meet with the president of one of the leading modeling agencies in the DC area. Shortly after I was settled, I set up the meeting. In short, the meeting did not go well. Looking back I now can see that I was under-experienced, undeveloped, and not well represented nor was I properly taking care of myself. However, at the moment, it simply seemed as if everything I had ever dreamed of having had been ripped from my hands and placed on a shelf just out of reach, even on my tippy toes.

After the meeting, I turned my back on modeling, convinced that I was just one of many girls that looked like many others and wasn’t quite good enough. I was ready to come home right after the meeting but my parents thought it best that I stay and see it through until I at least made some progress with my portfolio. So, I did. In January 2019, I submitted to another agency in the DC area and was offered a contract within the week. Unfortunately, the agency didn’t have much accountability and was relatively new to the industry. Because of this, among other things, I had to kindly decline. Though I didn’t accept the offer did give me 2 things that I thought had been lost, my confidence and reassurance.

The following week, I set up two shoots, one for a brand and one with a professional photographer. A few weeks after I moved back to Atlanta, I’d utilized my resources in DC to the fullest and felt better prepared to face what was back at home for me. Additionally, my gap year was nearly over, and I had minimal time before my window of opportunity closed. When back home, I was booking shoots with local photographers back to back. And by late June, I had a portfolio that was actually promised. July 6, 2019, I went to a model call that I didn’t know would change my life. I was running late so you can imagine the anxiety I was experiencing on the way to the call. Once there, I stood in a crowded waiting room with about 50 other people who appeared to be just as prepared as myself, if not more so. I waited 3 agonizing hours in the 90-degree waiting room for my name to be called. As the people left the interviews got exponentially shorter, I was among the last four people to be called.

When I was finally summoned, I had already formulated a plan to make a lasting impression. They asked me no questions. Regardless, I made sure I said my piece and made it abundantly clear why I was more than qualified to join their family. The next afternoon, I received a message requesting a follow-up meeting. Two days later, they offered me a contract. I signed it that week.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly wasn’t a smooth road. There were plenty of obstacles but I was lucky enough to have a great support system that helped me see it through at each roadblock I faced. As previously mentioned, my first meeting with an agency didn’t go exactly as planned. And though I was discouraged, my incredible support system pushed me harder than ever to ensure I had an even bigger bounce back from the discouragement.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a model in this area, I’m pretty known amongst other models and photographers. I’m pretty known for always being ready to shoot and adding a special touch to whatever concept the photographer desires while still helping them bring the visions to life. I enjoy trying many different concepts, no matter how abstract. I love the variety of the art form of modeling and how beautiful pieces can be if the right minds come together for a common goal.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Confidence. Confidence is for sure an essential in the modeling industry. Because if you’re not confident in yourself it shows through your work. Your body language is your whole purpose in your work. The way you present yourself, the emotions you show, expressions, how you carry yourself is all projecting through your work as a model. That’s why it’s important that you feel confident in whatever you’re doing BEFORE you get in front of the camera. That way all your work will be more likely to have an impact.

Contact Info:

• Email: kiraimanibookings@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kiraimani_
• Twitter: Twitter.com/kiraimani_

Image Credit:
Ryan Constantine, Jahmari Ali, TheNewProject, Tom Wilson

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