Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emma Bryan . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Emma , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned how to model from observing. I find myself to be very good a mimicry, so I would watch videos online of professional models working to give myself a basic overview of what to do in front of a camera. Once I felt confident enough doing this, I decided I needed some professional insight, so I went to Coco Rocha Model Camp to learn from the best of the best. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have done the camp sooner! Coco’s camp boosted my confidence and truly transformed how I model. My biggest obstacle in pushing myself to learn more was my confidence and feeling like I wasn’t good enough. The most essential skills I learned was the portion of the camp where we learned about contracts and agencies.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a model who got into the industry by finding the courage to chase after my dreams! I got my start by taking photos of my own so I could get some sort of portfolio built up. I took my own digitals and did my own creative shoots in my bedroom so I had some sort of work to show when I would submit myself to freelance jobs and agencies. I think this is what sets myself apart from others because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the camera and can see another photographers vision. I’m most proud of the progress and confidence I’ve built over my first year with modeling. I’ve been able to break out of my shell and show the true potential that I have. This has really paid off because I’ve been able to get signed to multiple agencies that believe in me and want to get me more work.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn is that models always have to be “sexy” in order to be a good model. This idea really held me back from trying different poses and facial expressions when shooting. I would default to the same 7-10 poses and facial expressions because I had it in my brain that models are supposed to be sexy. Sure, a model can be that, but once I realized I could be more than just sexy, it really broke down a lot of barriers for me. It allowed me to try the silly or weird pose and facial expression and not be afraid of looking like an idiot while doing it. It diversified my modeling ability and gives the photographer so much more to work with.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A time when I had to pivot was just recently actually. For the longest time, I always thought that I was going to go to medical school and become a doctor. I studied biology in college and now have a degree in that science along with a minor in chemistry. I was studying for my MCAT for about a month until I got signed with MMG. When this happened, I realized that if I want to make my dreams come true and have modeling become my career, then I have to pivot myself towards that goal. Medical school is a massive commitment that takes up all of your time. It requires hard work and full time dedication in order to be successful. If I were to do this, then I would have to put modeling on the back burner or give up on it completely. I’ve wanted to be a model since I was 14 and I couldn’t allow myself to give up on that dream. So, I canceled my MCAT date, have found some work to do remotely, and am now focusing on growing a modeling career.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: emmabryann

Image Credits

Russ G Photography