Interview: Model Katarzyna Sprengel (Australia)

Can you tell us a little about you? A 23 year old with big dreams and big ambitions. I love fulfilling myself in many artistic fields like writing (My articles and poetry has been published internationally), singing, playing the piano, painting/drawing and obviously modelling! I was born in Sydney, Australia but grew up in Poland most of my life. I am currently based in Sydney.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? I would try to keep myself even more organised and busy. I would like to stay away from a variety of distractions that hinder the creative process in my life.

How did you start modeling? About 4 years ago, a friend of mine told me I should try it out. I was slightly reluctant towards the idea at first, but I've created a page for myself and started getting interest from photographers to collaborate with me. At first most of my gigs were TFP (unpaid), but they all helped me get to a stage I am now. I very rarely do TFP shoots nowadays (about 5 times a year).

What do you think of the work as a model? You often don't realise how demanding and time consuming it is. It is not easy to be a good model - it requires much more than meeting photographers, networking and learning how to pose. A great model truly projects her emotions and reflects the personal nuances in her art. One who will never feel or allow oneself to feel will never make it in this field. It's about the right balance between the heart and the brain - it's an upmost detailed and intricate artistry that requires commitment and time.

What is your beauty regimen? Eating clean and cleansing! You need to feel good to model well. Your body should be getting a proper amount of vitamins and minerals. I drink a lot of water, eat a lot of vegetables and recently cut out meat (except for fish) from my diet, which made me feel much lighter and more active. When I remember, I pay a visit to the gym and drink apple vinegar in the morning

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others? I think I have experienced way more than a typical 23- year old has, which gives me enough discernment and emotional background to convey that in my pictures. I am also extremely determined - I have learned to be that way. I am grateful for even the most painful mishaps in my life as they shaped me to be the stronger person I am today.

What are your plans for the future? I have a lot of talented photographers around the world that I would Iike to shoot with. This calls for more modelling trips (and more admin , haha!). I am a perfectionist, so I demand a lot from myself and the other creatives involved in the given project. I plan to develop awesome images and also do more fashion as I love styling.

What are some of your favorite experiences so far? My recent favourite shoot was with Scott Caughey in Melbourne. He took me to an old deserted denim factory. It was amazing! I was relentlessly climbing more or less stable objects, often 4-5 levels from the ground. I faced my fears and the whole time my adrenaline was going up! I also really enjoyed working with @egominitrip_photography in Antwerpen, Belgium. He is a truly kind photographer who genuinely cares how the model feels and we connected straight away. The shoot was an emotional experience for both of us. If you check his page, you might understand why. He really deserves more followers as his style is unique and beautiful in the way it shows pure soul.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modeling? My number one rule is to be safe. In order to stay safe, you need to establish what levels you're comfortable with and also do your research on new photographers. References are always recommended and if the photographer can't provide them, that means he is hiding something. Also, importantly, follow a trust your instinct - you are equipped with it for a reason! If something doesn't seem or sound right, don't go for it. Additionally, you absolutely must aspire to have the best reputation possible. This involves work ethics, being punctual, polite and organised.

What do you think of the magazine? I am glad you contacted me - it's a great way of promoting creative people and letting them connect! INSTAGRAM: @poetic.minx http://instagram.com/poetic.minx facebook: https://m.facebook.com/katarzynaaurorasprengel/