We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Essence Berry . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Essence below.

Essence , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

I started my career when I was fifteen and went to Page Parkes Modeling Agency and began training there. I wasn’t landing many gigs, so my mother/manager started helping me and from there I started working local Houston shows for free. I then began to start getting modeling jobs such as runway and print where I was paid. I went to Los Angeles on a family vacation and a model scout from Maverick signed me and that is where I had the opportunity to work with YSL (Saint Laurent) I was still in high school so it began to get harder to get back in fourth from Los Angeles back to Texas.
I then proceeded to look for a closer agent and signed with Wallflower where I signed immediately with Neiman Marcus and worked for a year as a e-commerce model. I’m now in Atlanta and signed with Miles Models and since signing with them I booked 3 jobs back to back.
The best advice I can give to someone looking to break into the modeling business is when you’re looking for your agent make sure they are a good fit for you, but you can’t expect the agent to do everything for you, you have to promote and keep marketing yourself.

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?

One of my proudest moments was winning the Cythina Bailey Model Search in Atlanta, Georgia when I was seventeen. I competed against models from around the world that came to Atlanta to win.

Another proud moment is being a mentor to my younger sister.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Is there a particular goal or mission during your creative journey?

Yes! My biggest mission is to always stay focused and positive. It’s easy to get caught up on social media, seeing what everyone else is doing or what have accomplished. My biggest goal is just to run my own race and always stay gracious!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I Just moved to Atlanta from Houston. At the time I was BROKE . I had 20 bucks to my name my credit card was MAXED and I was staying with my father in Covington which was an hour away from everything I needed to do. I was looking for some photographers online and I stumbled across one. His work was dope and I needed to get my portfolio ready to show these agencies what I was made of! The day I went and shot with him, he was surprised I wasn’t already signed . He ended up getting in contact with an agent in Atlanta and told me to check out their casting call. I was grateful! Next thing I know I’m at the agency and I’m signed ON SITE. After that was history. I was doubtful once I moved. It’s scary especially when u have nothing…. It just goes to show that you should never be scared to take a leap of faith!      

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/essenceloveee?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@essence_lovee?_t=8dMcETxadTO&_r=1

Image Credits
Lisa Nicole Collection.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkzpP-jjozY/?igshid=Y2I2MzMwZWM3ZA==