MODEL
BRYNN BONNER
Can you remember when and where you were scouted? How old were you?
I was scouted in 2015 at a shoe store in my local mall. I was seventeen years old.
What is the earliest memory of a model burnt into your mind?
The first memory I can think of were the ones in The devil wears Prada, funny enough. And they weren’t even main characters! I had never met someone who was or thought of being a model myself until I was scouted and asked if I wanted to be one.
Can you tell me an iconic model whose work you got very fascinated by? —
What did you feel when looking at images of them?
The first supermodel that I personally fell in love with was Karlie Kloss. She had such a captivating story for me when I first started and I aimed to channel her walk and power whenever I worked and still do honestly. But now I try to be my own icon and compete against me from yesterday.
Do you think the “male gaze” is a myth?
Definitely not. It’s something that’s hard for me to quite explain but becomes highly visible in moments where I notice unprofessionalism on their part and they try to claim male gaze passed off as art. Such as backstage at a fashion show when we are between looks and they want to capture the “hustle and movement’ of the fashion show when really we’re just half-naked and changing.
What was your first fashion shoot?
My first fashion shoot would have been a test shoot put together by my first Mother Agent in Tennessee soon after I signed with her. My first paid shoot was for Lady Grey Jewelry shot In New York 2017 when I started working full-time.
What do you love most about being a model?
What I love most is the people I get to meet and the places I see. Growing up where I’m from we didn’t get much variety but since I’ve modeled the world has, quite literally, opened up for me.
What do you most hate about being a model?
I would say I could do without the misconceptions people have about models. Granted, for some people they might be spot on but more often than not assumptions made at face value are often wrong. Such as being vain or a full-on diva. Another thing is saying goodbye to routine. The unpredictability of the job can get pretty crazy at times and for most of my year I’m unable to schedule things with certainty, but you learn to roll with it.
How do people react when they find out you are a model?
People usually react to my job with an “I knew it”. As if I could be nothing else but a model because of my looks and physique.
What is the most common question you get asked as a model?
“Do you get everything for free?” How I wish I could answer yes, but sadly no. I still pay for the majority of my clothes like everyone else.
If you would start out now what would you be doing, how would you go about// who would you work with and where would you be aiming?
If I started with the knowledge I have now, I would take far better care of my mentality going into jobs. When I started out, I had minimal job experience making me put “all or nothing” on each casting which shouldn’t have been the case and was hurting me in the long run. I would aim to stay in control of direction or at least in communication with my agencies about my career rather than giving my last say away completely.
Statistics show that only 1 in 10 of the big money jobs i.e. womenswear-, beauty and perfume campaigns are shot by women. Is there just no qualified
female fashion image makers out there?
I know there are many overqualified female photographers who would be able to shoot gorgeous campaigns. I think it’s just a closed circle that needs to be broken into.
How does it feel to be shot by a female photographer vs a male photographer — is there a difference, if so how?
There’s the first difference in instant comfort shooting with a female compared to a male. But I don’t like to draw differences in their quality of work. The only reason that comes into play is their personal experience and passion regarding the person and not gender.
What makes you feel comfortable in front of a camera?
I feel comfortable in front of the camera when I’m able to talk to the photographer and the team, going further than the brief or mood board in an email. I like to talk with them and understand how they like to capture or work so we can better work together.
Besides modeling what do you do?
Besides modeling, I’m a college student majoring in psychology. I hope to become a therapist and find better ways to help the freelance community, i.e., models especially.
One says it takes 10’000 hours to become a master of a craft, how long in hours/days/years did it take you to feel like a master of a craft?
What I like to call myself is a jack of all trades, master of none in many creative areas. Even in modeling, I wouldn’t call myself a master of it since there are so many areas that you can succeed in. (If you were going by a work record that is) I’ve now been doing this for 5 years and would still call myself intermediate in some areas. Though what would you do if you were a master with nothing left to perfect?
Who is your female fashion image-maker icon and who is your the one to Watch?
I’ve always loved Annie Leibovitz’s portrait photography. As for one to watch I would counter that with watch all of them. Watch them succeed and support them, I’ve shot so many test shoots with amazing female photographers but I would say only 20 percent of my jobs or editorials are shot by them. Ones like Clara Segui, Sarah Deaner, and Tawni Bannister that I can think of off the top of my head.
Who is your female designer icon and who is your the one to watch?
Ah, this is so hard but I can say I love the Olsen twins and their brand, The Row. For this, I would say refer to the answer above but also I am very excited for Supriya Lele making to the top 8 finalists for the LVMH prize.
What do you say about the charge that all fashion imagery is predominantly sexist?
I would agree with the charge and counter it with the rise of fashion imagery being empowering for women and feminine identifying that we see more today in mainstream media.
There is a big surge of feminism at the moment - do you think that will affect fashion image-making?
I wouldn’t call this an “at the moment” movement, but I do think that the current wave of activism will affect fashion image-making in positive ways. If only in getting more opportunities for female photographers to shoot more high profile jobs, I will consider that a win.
When I look at your work as a model, my favorite is the Video for Chopard x Farfetch. What is yours?
Thank you so much, that is mine as well! It was one of my first “I think I made it” jobs. I was flown to London for 48 hours to shoot it and I had such a great team to shoot with. I love to shoot jewelry and video so it combined the two and I got to create something really special. It’s also my mother’s favorite job I’ve done as well which means a lot to me.
What was your relation to design/fashion prior to modeling? Has it changed?
I did a lot of my own “designing” as an early teen. I grew so fast and hand-me-downs only helped so much that I often made skirts/pants longer or took them in. Fashioned old t-shirts into new ones. It hasn’t changed much, I still tend to shop more mostly in thrift stores not only for the bargains but to lower my imprint on the earth. Catering to the fast fashion industry can be destructive in many ways.
What qualities do you value in an agent or booker?
Communication. It’s the one value I think I hold highest for myself and others yet also the hardest one to do/receive.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you were ever given and what advice would you have wished for earlier on in your career?
I had to learn that it was okay to ask questions. It was made to feel as if you had to go with whatever you were told. Whenever something isn’t clear, ask for clarity. If you don’t like something, use your voice. Most times when it doesn’t sit right, you deserve better.