We were lucky to catch up with Hayley Herms recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Hayley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
I’ll never forget getting my first big modeling check. I felt like I was on top of the world. I ended up spending it all on 7 art pieces to start an art collection. I still have the art hung up in my home almost 10 years later and every-time I see it, it reminds me of how hard I worked for that moment and that check, being young, and investing in myself.
Hayley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Totally! My name is Hayley Herms – I am a plus size model, entertainer, and entrepreneur. I’ve been in the business pretty much my entire life. I started singing and performing from a young age which lead to acting and songwriting in the 5th grade. In 7th grade, my headshots were discovered on Myspace by a photographer who later got me my first modeling job! By the time I was in high school, I dropped out my junior year and enrolled into an independent program where I went to graduate high school a year early to focus on my modeling career so I could work full time to create a portfolio and about 2 – 3 years later, I got signed to my first agency while in college!
After a dozen years of working hard in the plus size modeling industry since I was a teen, walking in NYFW and appearing in Vogue Italia, I finally decided to share everything I know and a few years ago I started the first master class for aspiring plus size models to learn how to break into the modeling industry! After that, I started doing one on one consultations and coaching as well as working on set with models for pose coaching and facial posing and consulting for brands/companies. Fast forward, a year ago I launched my blog for aspiring plus size models called https://howtobeaplussizemodel.com/ for those who might not be able to afford my services or don’t have the knowledge available, but still need resources and learning tools.
Whether it’s my one on one sessions or my blog, I help aspiring plus size models with everything from face posing, pose coaching, where to find work as a freelance plus size model, how to reach out to agencies and brands, how to put together your portfolio, contract reading, negotiating, and laws, and SO much more!
What sets me apart, is that I am the only plus size model teaching aspiring plus size models. Most resources available for plus size models are NOT from models themselves which I think can only help so much which is why I am so happy I can help. Overtime, I’ve seen my clients and students get signed to major modeling agencies, book work for major brands, and walk in fashion shows which makes me feel like a proud mama! Helping people, help themselves to their dreams is always such a great feeling and a big part of why I love what I do.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
One of the best ways I think someone can support artists and creatives is asking them what they need in terms of support. Sometimes we assume what artists and creatives are looking for which can be nice and thoughtful, but usually if you ask them what they need, it’s much more helpful and beneficial to them than assuming yourself. When you give artists and creatives the support they specifically need and/or are looking for, it allows them to be able to create more of what they do which ultimately makes for a thriving creative ecosystem!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
To be honest, growing up wanting to be a plus size model, there was little to NO resources on how to break into the modeling business as a plus size person which is exactly why I created the business I run today!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hayleyherms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayleyhermsofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HayleyHerms/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hayleyherms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hayleyherms
- Other: https://howtobeaplussizemodel.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@hayleyhermsofficial?lang=en https://www.youtube.com/@stonedandhornypodcast
Image Credits
Bonnie Nichoalds Anastasiya Sazhina Gabriel Mendoza Weiss Lauren Naylor