We recently connected with Elgin Harris and have shared our conversation below.
Elgin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
My name is Elgin Harris, and I’ve been modeling since I was 16. I started out in print modeling after a guy spotted me while I was working at P.F. Chang’s. He asked if I ever thought about modeling, and I had, but hadn’t taken that next step yet. I ended up doing three photo shoots, and from there, things started to build. Over the years, I’ve traveled to over 50 cities for modeling—print work especially—and it’s grown from something casual into a serious career.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m proud of the fact that I’ve modeled in so many different cities and brought different visions to life. Every shoot is an accomplishment to me. But my proudest moments come from the shoots where I recreate real-time cultural history—where I take a look from the past and show what it would look like today. A lot of people don’t take the time to study fashion history or understand where certain styles come from. So when I bring that into a shoot, I feel like I’m doing something special—paying homage, educating, and inspiring all at once.
I want people to know that I take this seriously. I’m always aiming to do something different, and I come with ideas. I’ve got a couple photographers I work with who match that creative energy, but even when they don’t, I’m bringing a vision to the table and pushing for excellence.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support the vision, not just the trend. Too often, people wait until something is “hot” before they give it credit. If you want creatives to thrive, you have to invest early, believe in originality, and give space to people who think outside the box. That means respecting the time and energy artists put into their work—through fair pay, promotion, and protection of their intellectual property.
Creativity takes courage, and society benefits from people who push boundaries and bring new ideas to life. If we support that with more intention, everybody wins.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I learn best through people—conversations, trial and error, and being in the field. The biggest resource for me has been experience: traveling, creating, making mistakes, and learning from them. Watching others succeed and fail taught me what to avoid. And honestly, talking to people who aren’t afraid to challenge the system—that keeps me sharp.
I may not sit down and read a bunch of books, but I study everything around me—styles, moves, business deals. That’s how I grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.elginthemodel.com
- Instagram: ElginTheModel
Image Credits
Ejji Studios