Christelle | VIP Member | Verified Credits (72)
Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?
I’m from a very small town near Quebec city. Now, I live two hours south of Montreal, and I travel in the US and Europe for shoots.
Who or what inspired you to become a model?
I’ve always liked photography, painting, dance, drawing fairies, and making my own clothes, and so it’s a universe that seemed pretty appealing to me.
How and when did you start modeling?
Two years after finishing high school I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, and It felt like there was always something missing. I worked on farms, and that’s probably the job I preferred, but it is seasonal and I had no income for the winter. When I was 20-years old, I saw an ad in a newsapaper in Quebec city looking for models. I thought I would try it since I’ve always been curious about modeling. It was a very small agency that mostly aimed toward (cheap) glamour. They once told me, “Hairs are not considered aesthetic in photography.” According to them, I should shave “down there” and get a fake tan to be a model. At that point, I thought I’d prefer to go back to working on a farm than follow their standards.
Not long after, I discovered Model Mayhem, and I got booked by many photographers who appreciated my natural style. Soon after I realized my dream of going to San Francisco in 2007, and I’ve never stopped traveling since then. I’m pretty sure I was the first traveling model in Quebec. I didn’t even know how to name my job at first and the term, “Traveling art nude model” came years later. Naming it became quite useful.
Another funny thing is that, in the small agency decided models doing non-nude work would be paid $20 per hour, and $25$ per hour for nude. For me, at that time, those rates were incredible and thats why I decided to do nude work – for the extra $5 an hour! Bear in mind, I was used to manual labor, and I never in my life thought I could be paid that amount for doing something fun! I noticed in a meeting we had (models and photographers) that they were talking about a website they were not allowed to mention in front of models. I ended up discovering that it was Model Mayhem, and they didn’t want us to know because otherwise we would obviously we would join and get paid much higher rates!
One day, a photographer booked me for 3-hours and paid me $80. I felt very bad for months (not kidding) because he paid me $5 more. And then. everything changed when a photographer in Montreal told me, “Models not as talented as you are paid $100 per hour. I don’t have it with me now because I didn’t expect you to be so great, but I’ll give you $75 per hour.” Of course, I couldn’t believe it! The pictures we made are still very easy to find when online and they are very pretty, but I’m still most grateful for his honesty, otherwise I may have never traveled and modeled professionally.
What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?
I prefer less planning and more spontaneity. Let’s try something crazy! I enjoy iy most when you’re connected with the photographer and there’s no rule except the present inspiration!
What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?
Creativity. Even if the photographer isn’t professional, I can see in his pictures if he likes what he does and if he’s looking for “the shot.” If so, I know we’ll have fun and create great work together.
Which models or other artists currently inspire you?
I really like Leya Smith, the French model. She started modeling as a way to heal, without any pretension, and she’s damn good. I really like Melissa Trout also! She’s a friend of mine. We started modeling at the same time and we both have daughters born in March, but 10-years apart. I think both of them prioritize their personality over their appearance and this is the most empowering thing to me.
What would be your dream shoot?
Any time I can act as if i was in a Parrish painting, on the top of a hill with the wind blowing, and I can touch heaven. Dancing with the elements is what makes a picture for me, because you are not acting, you are feeling it. I had the joy to do it in Ireland, California, and Greece, but i still dream of finding the perfect hill. I like working with any natural element because it’s impredictable and you need to improvise to make it work, especially water and wind.
How important is social media in your success?
I’ve never had Facebook and I finally started an Instagram account in 2017. But, it was shut down when I had 20k followers (as happens to many models). It really helped getting more contacts around the world and some contries use it more then others, but Model Mayhem is safer, especially because of Verified Credits, and you don’t get banned for showing nipples! So, social media can be helpful but you can get all your work on here.
What else do you like to do outside of modeling?
I dance, and I practice contorsion (splits, bridges, handstands,etc). I play the piano, flute, and guitar. I also paint, and love walking in the woods. I make my own clothes too. I can say that I’m definitely never bored!
I recently created an OnlyFans page and I’m loving it. I love modeling but I really enjoy dancing too. I’m currently creating a lot of videos for my OF page and I always have new ideas, and different lighting styles. I’m a pretty good photographer too. OnlyFans really helps me discovering and pusing into my creativity!
What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?
Stay yourself! Something rare is more valuable than something too common, and the only way to stand out is to be yourself because you were born unique! And, this is very important – Enjoy all the amazing landscapes you’ll see on the road but don’t get caught in the traveling model thing too long and lose all your friends because you’re constantly traveling. If you have no one to share it with you may feel lonely, and a life with no loved-ones isn’t worth it. Find a place that you call your home and meet people, create your circle. We grow with the bonds we forge. I love helping new models, so, if you think I could help, please don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions.
Check out Christelle’s Model Mayhem portfolio to see more of her work. You can also follow her on OnlyFans, Instagram, and Twitter.