Meet Kristy Jessica | Traveling Freelance Art Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristy Jessica and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristy, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a full time freelance creative, work/life balance feels like a bit of a myth. I love what I do, therefore I want to do it. I am even doing similar activities to what my money-making work is, so to an outsider it may seem as if I am just “always working”. For example, my primary income is in modeling for indie photographers around the world. I travel to different places each month and schedule with creatives in that area in advance. This month, I am making a special trip to Mexico. A vacation? Nope! I am linking up with some fellow creatives (models, photographers, and a videographer) to create stunning underwater modeling imagery- and I am NOT making money on the trip! It’s entirely for the joy of creating. Some might say I am working for free, Others might say I am doing what I love, I prefer the latter. This dynamic comes up in my life all the time. Going for a hike? Lets bring the Sony camera and shoot some artsy photos! Meeting up with a fellow model? Lets do something creative together! Aside from all the creativity, I have learned it is important to include other areas of my life in my calendar: what doesn’t get scheduled, doesn’t get done!! This includes time for seeing or calling family members, romantic time, and relaxing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a freelance model – which is different than an agency represented model. I represent myself, and find work via word of mouth and through online platforms (which evolve over time, currently Instagram, Model Mayhem, Model Society, BlueSky, and Facebook are places I find most of my photo shoot bookings.) My primary genre in my modeling – that which I get booked for the most – is figurative fine art nude. A lot of photographers around the world seek out traveling fine art models for their posing experience, ability to emote, positive reputation, and in some cases for the amount of online exposure they might get by collaborating with well known models in the industry.

What sets me apart? In addition to modeling for independent photographers, I have also become a producer myself. I do photography, I am a self-published author, a certified drone pilot, a documentary co-producer, a nature location guide in the American Southwest, and a podcaster. All of these additional skills I have learned so that I could be a contributor of my community. The book I have published is to help creatives with posing, the documentary is about freelance modeling, my photography and drone skills are for working with other creatives and creating my own promotional and creative material, the podcast is to share the stories of other fellow traveling freelance models, and the location guide services are for bringing photographers into stunning and secluded nature locations in Arizona and Utah.

I started modeling as a hobby in 2006, so I am now celebrating my 20th year in this fun world! There were countless challenges I had to overcome over these last two decades. First, I had to undo the toxic shame I was raised in. My parents were members of a cult-like religious sect that was very life controlling and misogynistic. I am still doing the work to undo the damage that church instilled within me. Additionally, I had to overcome my own insecurities. I am very short (5’2) and I have stretch marks on my hips. Growing up in the 90s and early 00’s, I was influenced by America’s Next Top Model. As a result, I thought I needed to be at least 5’9, stick thin, and have flawless skin to model. It was really hard for me to overcome these fears of not being good enough, and the first few photographers I worked with used my insecurities against me to belittle me into things I was uncomfortable with. Later, when I lost my job, I had to get sober, leave the corporate world and re-invent how I create income for myself, navigate a world of creatives versus creeps, I became a certified freediver so that I could model underwater, and of course, develop all the skills I mentioned above.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting me in my hometown, I would like to take them to one of my favorite hiking areas in Arizona to shoot photos. There are so many stunning locations, including rivers, mountainous overlooks, cactus fields, rock formations, climbable driftwood trees, and more!

However, my career is mostly on-the-road. I often travel other places to explore and create. Some of my favorites are South Utah, Tahiti, Tulum, Croatia, and Australia. My favorite of all of these is Utah. I love the canyons the most… the painted bentonite hills are also stunning.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow there are so many people I would like to shout out! Huge shoutout to my friend, Kira aka Floofie, who was the first traveling freelance model to be kind to me and help me learn the ropes. Huge shoutout to the book “The Slight Edge” for helping develop my work ethic and view on my habits in my life. Shoutout to one of my earliest sobriety supporters Robert Contreras – a photographer and body painter who helped carpool me to AA classes when I first got sober. Shoutout to my mom, rest in peace.

Website: http://www.kristyjessica.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kristyjessicacreative

Twitter: http://www.x.com/_kristyjessica

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristyjessicacreative

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristyJessicaCreative

Other: http://www.patreon.com/kristyjessica

Image Credits
1: Brett Stanley
2: Isaac Ruiz
3: Self Portrait
4: Self Portrait