Victoria and Kim have been working together for nearly 20 years! Here’s her story about body positivity, plus size modeling, and working with Victoria.
People used to always tell me I should model, but I never really thought of it as a career. I was always interested in the other side of the fashion industry.
It was 1998 and I was working for a major retailer at their headquarters. I was trying to move up the corporate ladder when my sister’s friend told me I would be perfect for plus size modeling. I wasn’t really aware of the industry and how it was starting to take off. I also didn’t know how to feel about her suggestion at first. I wasn’t completely confident about my size 14 frame at the time. However, just going with her to one fashion show and seeing so many beautiful, confident women who were my size and even larger boosted my confidence. Representation definitely matters. I had so many preconceived notions about the modeling industry and this show defied all of that. Everyone was smiling and having fun and I couldn’t wait to be a part of that. She took me to her agency and they wanted to sign me immediately. At first I thought I would continue to work at my regular job and just do fashion shows on the weekend, but the industry was taking off so fast that I ended up meeting all of the right people and getting my first editorial shoot in New York.
I always loved posing for snapshots with friends and family. I had also had my first test shoot to build my portfolio, but I had never done anything of this magnitude. I was over the moon and a nervous wreck simultaneously. There was no class I could take. It was basically on the job training. Fortunately, everyone I came in contact with was so supportive, including the stylists and hair and makeup artists. They just told me to relax and be myself. I learned from watching the other models and paying close attention to the interaction between the photographer, art director, client and model. When it was my turn I just did my best to follow instructions and trust the experts. Even if I felt silly, I knew that things look different on camera and the end goal was creating something beautiful. I went from being timid to feeling empowered, especially when they turned on the fan 🙂 (Victoria’s note: think Beyonce with the wind in her hair for her photo shoots!). It took me back to my childhood, when I could imagine myself as different characters. Being on set has always brought me so much joy…the music, the energy of everyone there coming together to create art. It was so different from the stuffy corporate environment I came from.
Eventually my career progressed and I had no choice but to resign from my corporate job. In the beginning of my modeling career I met Victoria. We worked together doing runway and print work and she eventually took up photography. We started to experiment and do shoots together. She was able to hone her skills and I was able to get some really great shots for my portfolio.
Even though we both now have years of experience, Victoria has the same fresh energy and approach to our current shoots. She’s not afraid to experiment and be innovative, but she will also give you just what you want or need for your portfolio. Some photographers only have their vision in mind for you, but it is a collaborative effort with Victoria. She’s very open to your ideas. If it doesn’t work it’s ok. It doesn’t hurt to play around with different looks and concepts…that’s art! That’s why I feel so comfortable working with her. She has the ability to be easy going and laser focused at the same time. I always look forward to the next shoot and what we’re going to create.
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