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

Alright, Jodi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’m 5’4 on a good day and in the modeling world that’s considered too short. I have the soul and passion for runway and editorial modeling but my physical height is what has been holding me back. One day I decided to say screw it and do what I love and to show the world that “short” (I’m the average height of an American woman) people have the ability to do these things too. I took a risk and I’d say it’s paying off. I may not be signed to an agency yet but I am working with incredible people from all over and making art that I enjoy doing. I have successfully modeled in NYFW, LAFW, ans PFW as a 5’4 model.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jodi and I grew up in a small town on a farm. I never really was a farm girl though, I craved the city life. All the people. All the art. All the places to see and explore. But I’d watch it on TV and of course little 10 year old me wanted to be an actor because how cool would it be to have to take off school to go film? I would be the coolest kid in school. So every night I would scowl the internet for castings near me and I kept seeing castings for modeling. That’s when it all started. I wanted to become a modeling. So I’d practice in my small room, practically anywhere I could walk would be my runway. Down the street, school hallways, the grocery store, you name it. Although it never went anywhere I never gave up my love for the industry. At 17 I was able to make the right connections in my small town and landed my first paying job and things exploded from there. I met more and more people in my area who love to do what I do and we all worked together to create beautiful art. But I’m not like other models, I have the desire to look different, be unconventional. I pose in weird shapes and move my body like a dancer (if you count me dancing in my room at 2am to dance moms in the background as being a dancer then yes, yes I am one). Modeling is more than looking pretty, it’s about thinking outside of the box and creating these small pocket worlds for others go explore. My attitude and posing is what sets me apart from other models, I may not be tall as I’m only 5’4 but I don’t let that stop me. I’m the most proud of walking in Paris Fashion Week as a petite model, that moment was huge for me. Just a girl from a small town with big dreams. I am always trying to help make an impact on the fashion industry for my short models and to prove that height shouldn’t dictate this form of art. I have been in a few magazines since I’ve started as well and I just know little 10 year old me is screaming. I work hard everyday to do what I love and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now people want to book with me because of my unique way in posing and the energy I bring to the table and that goes the same for my catwalk. I am blessed and honored to have the opportunities I have now and I cannot wait to see what the future holds

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I would say being able to have this space to show my art has been incredibly rewarding. I’m an artist at heart, when I was younger I would paint and draw and now that’s just transformed to being off the paper. I’m painting a picture with my emotions, my movements, and my environment. Being able to create these incredible pictures is a beautiful thing and that is the most rewarding part of this.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In the fashion world it is widely known that short models don’t do high fashion editorial and runway. On most modeling applications there is a height requirement of atleast 5’8 to even submit your information. Society as a whole can help push for the movement to let “short” people into these spaces. The average American woman is 5’4 and that means most of the targeted customs are not going to be 5’8 and that the clothes should also be represented on people of their height. Push for this. Another way is if you’re in this creative space of fashion to start including short models. It’ll make all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/jodihammond8

Image Credits
-Memories Captured by Kyia -Jade Marie Davis -Cade Wharton and Miranda Rose -simplysavannahart -Jmp859 (on Instagram) -James Limerence -bigstarphotog