Ervina Ahmati, 16, didn’t know where to go, and she had applied to lots of different companies and kept spending money and not getting anywhere. She was close to giving up on her dream to become a model, when she came to We Are Models. Fast-forward just a couple of months and she’s signed to an agency, booking shoots and has been featured in Vogue.
In her own words, “I spent four years thinking I was never going to get anywhere, then I met We Are Models and 2 months later I’m in Vogue. It’s unbelievable”.
Become a Model
Here’s her journey to become a model…
WAM: Hi Ervina! Thanks for making time to have a chat.
E.A: Hey!
WAM: So… you recently found out that you’re in Vogue. Let’s talk about how you got there. Where did this all start?
E.A: I wanted to become a model since I was 11, but it wasn’t happening for me. I had a couple of bad experiences, and it just wasn’t going well.
WAM: Bad experiences?
E.A: Yeah, you know. Like, modelling agencies that never called me back after I paid for images, and the images weren’t any good either. It was just a waste of time and money. I was trying to become a model for about 4 years, but never got anywhere. I mean, someone said to me when I was 11, ‘you have to be prepared to take disappointment if you want to become a model’, but this was too much disappointment!
I was this close to giving up.
WAM: Why didn’t you?
E.A: I came across We Are Models. They had loads of positive reviews, and I knew they were working with big names in the industry, so I guess I trusted them enough to get in touch.
I was still pretty nervous until I went in to see them. I was really prepared for it to work out the same way as the places I’d gone to in the past. But then as soon as I came in to meet the team, my mum and I were both impressed. I knew they were different immediately.
Become a Model
Before talking to We Are Models, I didn’t really know anything about the modelling industry. I just knew I wanted to become a model!
They were saying things I’d never heard before, asking me questions I’d never been asked. I talked to them about the agencies I’d applied to and they said I’d probably been unsuccessful for two reasons. First, that I didn’t have the right images. And secondly, that I’d applied to a really broad range of agencies instead of targeting ones that I’d be most suited to.
I realised I didn’t really know anything about the modelling industry, except that I wanted to become a model.
WAM: You’d be surprised how many people we work with say that! It’s really common.
E.A: I know. I didn’t really know that there are different types of modelling, let alone which type I was.
I thought it would be easy, too, you know? Like, it was just looking a certain way and having photos taken. I didn’t realise that it’s hard work to become a model. It’s not just standing in front of the camera.
Become a Model
The We Are Models team really helped with my movement skills.I learnt how to pose, how to move in front of the camera.
The We Are Models team really helped with that. We talked a lot about my movement skills, and the Production team worked with me a lot. I learnt much more about how to pose, how to move in front of the camera.
WAM: We always say this to people! One of the most valuable things about booking studio time with us is the skills you learn. It’s not just about the day; it’s about what you take away from the day.
E.A: Well, and about having amazing photos! I have a portfolio now. And it was my We Are Models photos that were featured in Vogue Italia. The team really do know what they’re doing. I was so happy when I saw the images, I was literally jumping up and down! I couldn’t believe it was actually me.
I definitely wouldn’t have become a model without the images I have from We Are Models. If you think that I’d been trying to model for four years, and within two months I’d signed to one of the most competitive agencies there is.
Become a Model
I definitely wouldn’t have become a model without the images I have from We Are Models. I’d been trying to model for four years, and within two months of I’d signed to one of the most competitive agencies…
WAM: Finding a modelling agency is a bit of a formula, really. You have to get the right images in front of the right people.
E.A: Yeah, definitely. My portfolio is great because it really shows what I can do, if you know what I mean. They show a real range – in some of my images I look 13, but in others 20.
WAM: The more versatile you can be, the more likely you are to get signed! Which modelling agency are you with now?
E.A: With Nevs. They’re amazing, they’re so supportive. It’s a really family community. I remember the first time I went in, I was a bit intimidated but everyone was so sweet. I thought it was going to be like Dragon’s Den or something, but it wasn’t at all!
I’ve done quite a few test shoots for Nevs already, and I’ve already been to my first casting. I feel like they’re really helping me grow as a model.
Become a Model
I’ve done quite a few test shoots for Nevs already, and I’ve already been to my first casting. I feel like they’re really helping me grow as a model.
WAM: What skills do you think are most important if you want to become a model?
E.A: Being able to perform – to move, to act. My teachers always said I was a natural-born actress and that’s definitely helping. Like, I play the good guy one second, the bad guy the next… it’s about being able to quickly get into character. I’ve always been interested in acting; I’d love to act as well as model one day.
I think it’s also important to put yourself out there. If you’re not that sort of person, you probably won’t become a model easily. The We Are Models team explained to me that I should be building my online profile too, and that’s starting to pay off.
When I first came in, I had about 700 followers and now I have nearly 5000. You just have to keep building it up. People contact me through my social accounts really regularly about potential modelling opportunities.
That’s another reason it’s great to be signed to a modelling agency. I feel like it’s much safer. I know if I can trust people because everything goes through Nevs. It just makes it easier, so I can concentrate on building my modelling career.
WAM: It sounds like things are just taking off for you… we’ll watch this space! We’ve got one final question for you… what advice do you have for anyone who wants to become a model?
E.A: There are these two quotes I love that sum it up. “If nothing is going right, turn left”, and “no matter how many times you fail, failure is the road to success”. That’s my advice if you want to become a model!
Become a Model
No matter how much disappointment you go through, don’t give up. I so nearly gave up, and then suddenly I’m in Vogue.
No matter how much disappointment you go through, don’t give up. I so nearly gave up, and then suddenly I’m in Vogue. If I had given up, I’d never be where I am now. Vogue was my reward for sticking it out and being determined. Like, I spent four years thinking I was never going to get anywhere, then I met We Are Models and 2 months later I’m in Vogue. It’s unbelievable.
WAM: Thanks, that’s nice to hear! So I take it you’d recommend We Are Models to other aspiring models?
E.A: I 100% recommend talking to We Are Models. I’d become a We Are Models member all over again. The team felt so… joyful. There was such good energy, and I instantly knew they knew their stuff. I actually feel really honoured to have worked with the team – with people who have experience and know the industry.
If you want to become a model, you should be speaking to We Are Models – that’s all I have to say!
WAM: Ervina, thank you so much for your time. Best of luck with everything!
And there you have it. If you want to build and grow your modelling career, your first port of call should be We Are Models. We give you the best possible chance to become a model. Get in touch now or check out our membership page.
