We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sanne Vander a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sanne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

My whole entire life people kept telling me I should pursue modeling. I remember during primary school the teacher wrote a poem for everybody in the class and she praised a lot of the other kids for their maths skills or their creative writing. However, in my poem she told me I looked like a model. Of course it was a huge compliment, but at the time I felt like my academic achievements were overlooked and people only focused on my appearance. Initially, as a little girl I really did want to become a model or an actress, but when people constantly made me feel like they thought my outer shell was the only thing I had to offer, I changed my plan and decided to go to university.

I worked really hard to proof everybody wrong and got accepted to one of the top universities in The Netherlands. It wasn’t an easy road, especially because I’m a huge perfectionist and only wanted the best possible grades. I had almost finished my BA in French language and culture with a minor in digital media, when all of a sudden I felt unsure. I had almost achieved what I worked so long and hard for all those years, but didn’t quite feel the satisfaction I thought I would feel. I realized that it doesn’t matter what other people think. I can be smart and be a model at the same time. I can finish my BA and build on my own brand. So I decided to sign with a modeling agency in my home country. Soon, I was signed with 3 big agencies all of the world, traveling and doing shoots for a living. I moved to Paris and Cape Town and although the modeling industry was pretty tough I’m so grateful I decided to take the risk and go for it. I finished my thesis whilst shooting TV commercials in Cape Town and graduated without ever going to my ceremony. I had proven (now realized to myself instead of others) that I was smart enough to get a degree, but my priories had shifted. I was always traveling, always on the go and loving this new adventures life.

Whilst modeling, I posted a lot of behind the scenes content on social media and I noticed people kept asking me about my diet as a model and what my workout routine was like. I had already started a YouTube account, but seeing this demand, I decided to take it more seriously. My socials kept growing and in the meantime the harshness of the modeling industry started to take its toll. I realized this industry, full of rejection and unattainable beauty standards, was pretty toxic. However, the community I had build on social media because of it was full of love and positivity. Again, I decided to change my path. I quit full-time modeling and focused on my building my own brand. Instead of just being in front of the camera, I was now the director, manager, videographer, editor and model at the same time. I wasn’t just the face of somebody else’s vision, I could create my own vision.

In 2020 I was able to make a full-time living out of social media. I still model from time to time, when something really exciting crosses my path, like walking for Amsterdam Fashion Week or shooting for upcoming and exciting brands, but my main focus is now on my YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok.

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?

I am Sanne Vander. I’m 26-years-old and I create lifestyle content on social media. On my YouTube and TikTok I post travel vlogs, workouts and I make ‘big sis advice’ videos in which I give young girls tips I wish I learned sooner. On Instagram I share a behind the scenes of my life, usually somewhere on a beach or in an airplane.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part are all the sweet comments I receive from my followers. Being able to help others through my advice videos or inspire them with my workouts means the world to me!

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

Be genuine! It may be a little scary to open yourself up to the world, but if you want to build a dedicated following you have to be authentic. Show the people who you truly are, show your best moments and your insecurities as well, you’ll get a lot of love in return :)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanne_vander/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sannevander
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sanne_vander

Image Credits
Maaike Nienhuis (credits for the black and white image)