We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angel Perez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I grew up in Youngstown OHIO it’s a super small town where everyone knows everyone . I remember just running errands with my mom she was always a big fuss , everywhere we went she was always admired by family , friends and strangers for her beauty in & out . I can vividly recall we had a mailman who was a photographer and anytime he would catch my mom when delivering our mail he would take her picture. This is what started the passion for fashion & modeling ,I was about 7 . By the time I was 25 I had been published in 7 magazines 1 comic book & prepping for my first fashion show . Throughout the years of working as a freelance model I started to notice how dangerous and unprofessional things can be when your alone with no agency trying to chase your dreams . This industry comes with so many risk and without the correct knowledge and guidance you can even be putting you life at risk. It was in 2022 I began to meet a lot of other freelance models in Columbus Ohio and even working with them & I noticed the only thing i loved more then modeling was helping these girls telling them all that I had learned through the years , all my experiences good and bad & not long after that Seventh Angels Model House was born . I realized it’s time to give women a safe grounded space that is safe local & affordable. These girls and women are artist they aren’t just blank canvases & they are ready to work hard with guidance support & a home to chase their dreams from they can finally have a place to start . To actually launch my business I had to save consistently and pour all my own funds into putting together these high fashion creative projects. After my very first promotional photoshoot with a fellow model the inquiries were pouring in I knew I had to spend money to make money so that’s what I did . Now Seventh Angels Model House has a Roster of models ready to secure slots with us on projects to help further their careers all while having the peace of mind that they are safe and I have their best interest. In the future as my business grows and we all become a family I hope for us to be able to give back to the community that’s supported us .
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 the folks who may not read about me before my name is Angel I’m a 26 year old freelance model, creative director & business owner. I got into this industry when I was just turning about 20 though it’s been my dream since I was a girl . At 20 I found a Facebook group that I am in til this day call “Ohio Models & Photographers” & I posted a bit about myself and how much I love fashion and want to start modeling I coupled this information with a few selfies & other photos of my I had taken at home & in Texas with my bestfriend . The response I got was shocking in all the best ways . There was models & photographer’s reaching out to me left & right with advice on how to get started and opportunities to help build my portfolio. Not long after that I had my very first photoshoot with an amazing photographer named Erin ( IG @erinfish ) & it was one of the most surreal experiences of my life . As soon as I got in front of that camera I knew this was what I wanted and I wasn’t going to stop. I did multiple shoots after that & I loved it everytime then one day booked a TFP shoot (trade for print) with a photographer named Ellary ( IG @ellaryannephotography ) & when we began to plan our shoot she let me know she had never worked with a model before mostly family & wedding photography so she gave me complete creative control ! This changed my life I decided to execute a afro samurai photoshoot inspired by the first ever black samurai YASUKE ! After the shoot Ellary was hard at work editing this set to get everything perfect. In the mean time i met a photographer named Matty ( IG @mattywiththecam ) and we got some amazing shots Matty educated me on magazine submissions & he was the first to actually get me published in a magazine I was so thankful. A couple weeks had passed and Ellary finally sent through the final results of the Afro samurai set and it was some of the most regal elegant beautiful photos I had ever seen , I immediately submitted the photos to Rocket magazine . Soon after the Rocket magazine feature the photos were picked up by Tag studios & my likeness was used to inspire a comic book called NUBIAN by Curtis Taz Williams (IG @teeyayzee ) . Things were happening for my life was moving in directions I never knew was possible I knew God was showing himself in my path and making it possible & I wanted to do this for other girls just like me . I launched Seventh Angels Model House about a year after the comic book series was published. I’m still building my business and I have so much more to accomplish for myself and for my amazing girls that’s trusted me . If you have a passion for fashion but your a mom , shy , busy , scared , stuck in the bad neighborhood or just plain confused. Find your home here with us at Seventh Angels Model House & as a team we will pour into one another to help safely and elegantly elevate to the success we’ve always dreams of
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has actually caring about my clientele . I personally style each model I work with in a creative high fashion shoot that’s built completely around their personalities and character. As models were often used as the blank canvas. It’s very rare if ever a model is going to a photo shoot and anything is about what they like or want. That’s where I come in everything I do I is about them and for them & what I get out of it is being able to to play a roll in an aspiring models life that I wish someone had played for me when I was in the same position. Not every Woman or Girl has the knowledge or experience to just go out and get signed by some big time agency and blow up . So to appeal to my clients I let them know just because they aren’t signed doesn’t mean they aren’t a star & it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve complete SAFETY & PROFESSIONALISM
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clientele for me is satisfactory results for the clients I’m currently working with . I’m committed to every client every model because not only as the business grows these clients are my potential future employees & they are superstars for taking a risk on their dreams they deserve dedication . They deserve guidance in a positive direction and not led to do repetitive & degrading work that’ll only get them unwanted attention. I present my girls with EDGE & in ways I know that’ll catch the right interest. Like they say the result speak & will continue speaking for themselves
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @seventh.angels
- Facebook: Scooter Dee
Image Credits
Arianna Wyant Matthew Pitts Erin Fish Ellary Anne Flashmepleasellc Katie ( Filmbyktvela )