Today we’d like to introduce you to Clarity Engel.
Clarity, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, modeling was never really something I took a liking to or thought that I would do eventually. I sang and acted and being a performer was my identity until I went to college, and then my schooling became my only focus so I didn’t have any free time to explore other hobbies. But throughout my first three years of college, I’d have a local photographer ask to take a couple of photos of me and I’d agree but it was just a quick shoot for fun. However, my third year of college was extremely difficult — I was in a toxic relationship, I struggled with depression and anxiety, and I just completely lost myself. I didn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror — I looked tired and sad, I wasn’t keeping up with the gym, which was a huge red flag for my friends and family since I had always loved being active — and I found myself wanting to do something to build back up my self-confidence after I didn’t have any anymore.
I started treating myself and my body more kindly and achieving more of my fitness goals. One day my mom actually mentioned to me that I should try out modeling — she thought it would help with my confidence and could be an enjoyable way to travel and meet new people. So I researched Denver agencies and decided to reach out to them on Instagram, and that same day I was signed. I booked some commercial, print and promotional gigs, but when Summer 2018 came around, I really wanted to expand my horizons and travel for modeling.
I connected with this incredible photographer on Instagram @scardphotography and he was planning an amazing modeling trip to Miami and Tulum, Mexico and I knew I had to hop on this trip. At the end of July, I traveled with the most amazing group of models and photographers to both of these places and the photos taken on this trip really took off for me. I was getting featured in magazines and booking more work. It was a quick hitter for me, and I actually had to take a break from modeling in November to push through my last semester of college but I started getting back into it in February and I fell even more in love with it.
I feel like I kind of fell into modeling due to some negative circumstances but I wouldn’t change what happened for anything because my personal development increased immensely through my modeling travels.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say it’s been a smooth road. With everything being online it creates a greater opportunity for negativity whether that’s negative comments, messages, etc. I’ve definitely had my fair share of hate. Once I started being more public with modeling and the opportunities it’s given me, I really started to lose friends and suddenly everyone had an opinion about me. I was stuck up or self-centered, conceited, selfish — the list goes on. But what people forget is that the photos that I post online are the best of my best with full makeup, hair, hours practicing posing — it’s not a reflection of what’s in my heart. In the end, I can’t win everyone over and not everyone with be a fan and I’m fine with that.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about yourself – what should we know?
My business is basically myself — I’m a model (but I also write and am working on getting my personal blog up and running!) I’ve booked jobs ranging from a ring girl for professional boxing matches, shooting for book covers and active wear, shooting swimwear, and traveling to other states to promote for a lifestyle brand — I’d say I’m a very versatile model.
If I’m known for anything, I really think it would be my signature moody facial expression (lol) which you can definitely see on my Instagram.
I think what sets me apart and is also what I’m most proud of is that my social media following actually came from when I wrote an article titled “My Sexy Photo Does Not Make Me Unprofessional,” that actually went globally viral. I woke up one morning with thousands of messages on my social media to find out that my article was in every country in the world and was actually a global news headline which is still mind-blowing to me. The Daily Mail was the first site to publish my article. I’m very proud of that and I continue to promote that message which is that my physical appearance is not correlated with my intelligence. I have career aspirations that have nothing to do with my looks, I absolutely loved school and excelled at it, and I’m planning on pursuing higher education in the next year or so. I won’t let anyone discount my intelligence because of my modeling work.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My tenacity 100%. I’ve never been one of those people who give up when it gets hard or gets discouraged easily. I know that my success is connected to how hard I work, so why wouldn’t I put everything I have into achieving my goals? You have to have a thick skin in really any area of work, especially modeling, so any hate I’ve received or rejection I’ve faced I never hold on to or internalize because I know who I am and I know I’ll achieve all of my goals by being tenacious and not letting go of my dreams no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: clarityengel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarity_engel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarityPEngel
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4G3RA6F7QMAMR8zDGOdjAp?si=LzihgNmPTySyjxBhAO8c-A
Image Credit:
Sergio Cardenas @scardphotography, Emily Nicole Photography @emily.nicole.photography, Jenni Summer @jennisummerstudios & Katie Baker @katiebakerbeauty & Hannah Moon @styledbyhannahmoon & Bohemi Jewelry @bohemijewelry & Temple Ro Clothes @templerosf, Reed Hoppersted @hop_on_in_america
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