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

Alright, Kenasia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

I’ve used my face as a brand to build off of as a way of being innovative. So for example I’m a professional model, so with that being said I use my face as my brand and promote my business/brand using my face. The way it works for me I think of it like people remember faces more than they do names. If people are continuously seeing my face everywhere modeling for different designers and brands. I went from just modeling and doing professional shooting to them doing runway modeling which extends into another branch so that was my way of being innovative in order for my brand to expand in the way I wanted it for to be successful.

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?

My name is Kenasia Martin. I am 22 yrs old from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a Fashion/Runway Model and Self Taught Creative Artist. I found my niche in the industry by networking and just being and expressing myself. During the pandemic in 2020 I took that time just to get closer to myself. Mental Health is very important to me and I use art as a form of self expression I taught myself how to draw and paint to express myself during my down times. Later in the year of 2020 I started modeling. I set in stone at a very young age that I was going to chase my dreams and believe in myself, so I did my research on modeling and decided to take it seriously. I started researching different types of modeling and posing. Following photographers in my area and sometimes I would reach out to them first because I was so eager to get myself out there and that’s exactly what I did. I now creative direct/ style majority of my shoots and I’m even an MUA at times! I’ve been brand ambassador for brands, I model for designers and get their merchandise out there and have collaborated with designers for events as well! I think what sets me apart from others is that I never want the people I’m working with to have to do more than one job that’s what I’m there for, I’m not afraid to wholeheartedly be myself and those that can add to it or make do with it I allow it, so magic can be created and those that aren’t fond of it to me just make me think they’re projecting because they aren’t able to wholeheartedly do the same. I am most proud of being genuine and staying true to myself, humble even though the world can make you be otherwise it doesn’t affect me and my aura/ what i give to the world. I want my potential followers/fans to know that my goal is to aspire and inspire. That’s my motive and why I push so hard for my dreams so other people will know it’s possible!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media started on Instagram. As I began to get serious about it I started researching photographers near me, or TFP photographers near me just to get my face out there. I started following models in my area and networking and collaborating with them. Casting calls go to all of them. Don’t be afraid to comment on other people’s work and compliment them and engage with other people!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I am currently pivoting between chasing my dreams so I am shooting about 8-10 times a month. Choosing a career to secure my future because either way that’s the goal to make sure your future is secure. I work my 9-5 five days a week and I make time around my schedule to build my dreams and the rest of my time is spent making sure my personal life is intact but I just never lose faith that this will all pay off in due time. I believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kavyar.com/0q7lsdx8jxuj
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choco_d0ll/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KenasiaLanee

Image Credits
IG @jon_calderas IG @josephstevensonphotos IG @Choco_d0ll IG @boy.kennyy