We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Americus Counts. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Americus below.
Alright, Americus thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The biggest risk I have taken so far with my modeling career is starting to model overall! I have always loved fashion and modeling since I was a little girl. I watched “America’s Next Top Model” & all the Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, just wishing that I could be a model like the women I see on TV and in magazines. So, after keeping modeling at the back of my mind while I was in school, I focused on being a photographer. Which I honestly believe helped me be a good model I know how stuff translates on camera. After I graduated in 2021, I focused full-time on modeling. I did that by working out, building my portfolio, and, most importantly I, networked myself.
I would also say it was the biggest risk with the biggest reward. I have traveled, made new friends, take great pictures, and I have memories from modeling that will hold with me forever.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those first time hearing about me, I want to first say, Hey, I’m Americus! I am a model & pose coach here in Kansas City! I first stepped into the modeling scene officially in Kansas City back in March of 2023. That’s when I did the spring show for Kanas City Fashion Week. I’ve done smaller shows and photoshoots prior, but KCFW was definitely a major milestone for me.
Now, for getting into pose coaching, that came from working alongside a photographer out here in Kansas City who gave a chance on 19-year-old me. That photographer is “Sensei Brands”. They helped me learn the business and put my name in rooms I haven’t even stepped foot in yet. With all that being said, we noticed during photoshoot appointments that our clients struggled with poses. So that’s when we decided to have the option for clients to book me as a pose coach. Since I am a model and have experience in front and behind the camera, it was easy for me to collect all my knowledge and experiences to assist during photoshoots. Since then, I have also offered posing classes! I help men & women learn their best angles! With me my clients have learned self-confidence, unique poses, how to be more comfortable in front of the camera, & so much more
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I built my social media audience by “finding my niche.” I wanted to make content that appeals to a certain group on social media. I made sure to have lots of pictures and videos when doing anything model or pose-coaching-related. I would use 6-10 seconds of those clips and put together one major video or just a short 6-second video with a good caption. Moral of the story I would say find your niche and make content true to yourself that you are proud of.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best “source” for new clients for me is fashion shows! I network myself to models, designers, photographers, etc. I really like to reach out mainly to photographers and tell them a little about what I do and how I could benefit them, me, and, importantly clients. But I don’t just look for models that want to elevate posing; I work with a lot of women for their birthday photoshoots. I feel the best when I assist at a shoot for someone who isn’t used to being in front of the camera.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/always.poppin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Americus-Marie/100077050373532/?ref=xav_ig_profile_web
- Other: Nail Tech booking link
https://www.instagram.com/bookamericus/