Today we’d like to introduce you to Astrid Kallsen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Astrid. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began modeling for figure art classes at my university but never thought about photography until I had dyed my hair blue. It seemed like a great opportunity to let my friend take photos of me while I had blue hair since I doubted I’d ever had it again. From there, I started modeling for more photographers that would approach me, and eventually, I seeked out modeling opportunities. It was a part-time job when I could do it during college, but after I graduated, I fell back into it full time. Modeling has taken me across the country and to other countries as well. I’ve modeled for photography, fashion brands, sculptors, etc. Many of my latest ventures have taken me underwater, and recently, I dabble in photography myself. I hope to teach more people about independently contracted modeling and photography because it can offer a range of looks and type of work for people that are interested in both business and art.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Yes and no. In some ways, becoming a professional freelancer was easy. One job would lead to the other. The work builds with its momentum, and the brand and business grow naturally. It’s been a struggle more with helping people understand what I do and why people hire a freelance model over an agency model. There are stigmas with being an artist and a model. Learning to raise a business is also a challenge as it is in any business. Keeping up professionalism and people skills can be tricky when I’m not an extrovert. I’m lucky to have met a lot of great people, and it’s their personalities and visions that rejuvenate me to keep networking and building. I’ve also learned there is a lot of sexism and objectification that go hand in hand with being in a predominantly female industry for predominantly male clients. It can be overwhelming for a lot of freelance models to realize using their sexuality can help them gain work, but it can turn into a slippery slope for a few and burn out for others. Some women find modeling to be empowering and some end up crippled with body dysmorphia or feeling sexually exploited. It’s often affected by the people you work with and how you manage your business. Owning a business and being a model taught me a lot of standing my ground and not worrying about missing out on financial or lifetime opportunities when it would mean compromising on my brand or personal boundaries. Modeling, like most art, is a labor of love in that I chose a job that would be fulfilling and not a lot of money. With discipline and organization, I’m always financially stable, but not every model I know feels that way and have had to work with toxic clients to make ends meet. Modeling is above all a customer service job. I’m working hard at making art or advertisements for the client. Not every client is easy to work with, and some are foul. While most models love the work they do, toxic clients have pushed some away from modeling, especially newer models who don’t have quite as much experience to know that those clients aren’t the norm. With social media and the way people access information changing, modeling has changed a lot too. Clients for models have moved away from other artists to Instagram or blog brand modeling. My modeling focuses on supporting other artists and brands that are local or eco-friendly which doesn’t feed into brand modeling quite as readily, but part of owning a business is knowing how to change with the times or find your niche. I expect that I may one day have to re-brand or close shop.
what should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a model, I’m proud of the variety of work I’ve been able to help create and inspire, but I’m most proud of how the work I’ve done affects how other people feel about themselves. I feel like I never believed I was able to succeed in anything growing up. I was scared of taking risks or trying out activities I wanted to be good at because I didn’t believe I could be anything I wanted. Modeling really showed me that I can run a business by myself and that I can make things happen, anything, as long as I work hard and with integrity. Now, I use that confidence and knowledge to help others. I’m honest about my journey and how I became a model. Recently, I’ve opened up more on my social media about my mental struggles with anxiety, objectification, and body dysmorphia. People complain that social media causes depression in others because we only see the good things people post. Becoming a model, I noticed a lot of other models covered up their hardships or downfalls. I find that that transparency shows others that not every day is easy or perfect. Often, the future is scary and uncertain, but things work out when you follow your heart without stepping over other people. Lately, I’ve been working to create more art and photos in places that are near to home. I have been modeling in beautiful landscapes down the block or wherever I find them. People always want to travel to see beautiful places and miss how beautiful where they live is. Likewise with clothes. Most of the fashion I’ve started, modeling is thrifted, from local designers, or vintage to showcase more environmentally conscious consumerism. People know me very well for my underwater modeling, which I look forward to more success in. I took to modeling underwater naturally, and now try to teach others how to model underwater for The Underwater Workshop hosted by Flashpool Productions. These workshops are great because they’re not just for models, but anyone who has wanted to find a tranquil art and peace underwater, the photograph’s participants take home is a great bonus. Underwater modeling has also allowed me to dabble into the world of mermaids. So far, I usually only model as a mermaid, but I have friends that dance or are mermaid characters for events. Underwater modeling helps me merge a love for the environment with art.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I think I learned to always be cautious and professional. Growing up, people always suggested I should model because of my figure and height, but my parents wanted me to love academia. Being raised by an analytical and free-thinking family, both inspired the art side of me and the business side. Having such a supportive family has been necessary for me to find this ability in myself. I’m very open minded to new ideas, but also have a lot of backgrounds to contribute to developing a concept or blending in with diverse crowds
Contact Info:
- Website: astridkallsen.com
- Email: astrid@astridkallsen.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sirenethereal
- Facebook: facebook.com/astridkallsenmodel
Image Credit:
JessicaBaileyPhotogapher.com, Grantbeecherphoto.com, flashpoolprudctions.com, @Maddiemarissa, erynthepolymath.com
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