We recently connected with Kristina Li and have shared our conversation below.
Kristina, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I never imagined I’d have a career as a hand model, but here I am 8 years later! I actually got my big break through meeting a renowned parts model, who ended up introducing me to her agent. When I started I knew absolutely nothing, so I picked her brain as much as I could in those early days.
Everything else I pretty much learned on the job, hearing other models’ experiences, and watching the other models work. After I would book a gig, I would research the client – who they are, what was their mission, what poses/looks did they gravitate towards. I would practice the poses so it became second nature to me.
With all this knowledge, it allowed me to feel prepared for each shoot. I did have alternate poses and ideas with me if the client was open to seeing something different. Aside from that, I’d be as professional as I could — arriving to set early, treating everyone with respect, and having a positive attitude.
For those interested in pursuing this type of modeling, I would say take photos in good lighting (doesn’t have to be professional) of your exceptional parts and submit them to agencies with a parts division. The other route I recommend is to reach out to photographers and other creatives to collaborate. This will help build up your portfolio and your network, which can lead to future gigs.
One essential skill is to know your angles and poses, which comes with practice and experience. Having patience is a must as you’ll either be holding the pose for some time or repeating the same motion multiple times. Another important skill is being super attentive, because a day on set can be really hectic. You want to be ready when called and to hear the directions of what actions need to be performed. All in all, if you’re easy to work with, that’s what will get you rebooked.
Kristina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
From my past interviews, you might remember my journey transitioning from a full-time pharmacist to an entrepreneur. I started with a nutrition business called Jumpstart Nutrition, and later rebranded to Healing Blueprint. I am proud that I was able to launch this business while working as a pharmacist and having my other creative endeavors.
But now I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to focus more on creative endeavors. I never saw myself working a 9-to-5 job and had aspirations to be an artist/creative.
Any free time I had, I sought anything that I could do to be a creative outlet. I did some modeling, was a freelance makeup artist, and became a hand/parts model (which is the main focus of this interview). Also, I make content for my influencer bunnies on Instagram and TikTok. Recently, I’m dipping my toes into the acting world and working on a children’s book.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think what non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is the fact that I left my stable, well-paid career in pharmacy to pursue my creative endeavors.
As a creative, there’s this inner tug that pulls you to create no matter how hard you suppress it. I thought if I achieved all the other stuff — higher education, good job, house, etc… that I wouldn’t need to have art in my life. However, I was wrong.
I also feel non-creatives may also not see creatives’ work as important because it isn’t life-saving, and that it’s all just fun. Being a creative is not all fun and games, and there are different stresses to deal with. Art is life-saving, just not in the traditional sense. The book you read, the painting you see, the music you listen to, the film you watch, all adds richness to your life.
Finally, I believe creatives are typically seen as eccentric, but most are just misunderstood. Our minds are always racing and there’s a need to express it through different mediums like writing, drawing, acting, filming, fashion, or whatever form you choose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kristinaliparts.wixsite.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkristinali/
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14652689/?ref_=fn_al_nm_18
- My Influencer Bunnies Cookie & Gizmo IG: https://www.instagram.com/cookieandgizmoli/
Image Credits
Jordana Dale (Featured Photo & Black Suit Photo), Joyce Lee (BTS Still in Red Dress & Office Scene), Alicia Cho (Halo Top), Leslie Grow (Vital Proteins), Mark Durling (Kosas), Aim Studio (UN/DN LAQR), Agence Photo Festival Cannes