issue31 (part2) January 2018

If you could change anything about yourself, what
would it be? When it comes to myself I’m a perfectionist.
During my school days I was the outcast
“smart nerd”. So if I could change anything about
my-self it would be to not ALWAYS feel I have to
give it my all - whatever I do. This brings along a lot
of stress, but changing who you have always been is
really hard...
How did you start modeling? I started modeling
when my sister, Christine Engström , was studying
media and photography. When she got homework,
or bought new photo equipment, she used me as
her homework model/test dummy. This was about
six years ago, and today Christine is a really good
photographer and I have done some amazing things
as a model. Me and my sisters are really close, so
the fact that the two of us are where we are today,
after spending so much time learning our trades
together feels really special.
What do you think of the work as a model? I love
working as a model! Even on bad pain days I can
completely forget about it when I stand in front of a
camera, or perform on a stage. The sad part about
being a so called “alternative model” is that it’s so
difficult to actually get paid for the jobs we do - no
matter how good we are. I get contacted by many
photographers who wants to shoot me, because
they like what I do. But very few of them are willing
to pay the little I ask for hiring me. For years I did
many, many TFP shoots, to learn how to be a
model. But after six years in the trade I feel I know
what I do in front of a camera, although there is
always more to learn. But there are always new
models needing to build their portfolios, so often
these photographers end up using one of them, for
free, instead of hiring someone with experience.
Although I’m signed to two alternative agencies we
all know that we won’t really get any real, paid,
jobs through these agencies.
So we freelance. This also means we’re on our own
when doing deals with photographers, so I can’t
state enough how important it is to do checkups on
the photographer in question before you do a
shoot with someone you have never met before!
And also to know your limits when it comes to
what you are willing to do in front of the camera.
You need to have a thick skin and don’t be afraid to
say no, which isn’t always the easiest thing… So far
I have just had really good exper-iences in the
modeling world though. But maybe that’s because
I actually do those checkups and never say yes to
anyone who seems too unpro-fessional. If all the
photographers who wan-ted to hire me actually
payed me though, that would be great! Haha!
What is your beauty regimen? My beauty regimen
is quite normal. I have found skin pro-ducts that
work well for my type of skin, and be-sides from
that I do the usual - drink lots of water, sleep a lot,
work out, eat healthy, and try to stay out of the
sun. Except for my chronic pain I also live with IBS
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I know. Life is good…
But that means I can’t eat fast food, or things that
contain a lot of fat. So I pretty much HAVE to eat
healthy food. On the other hand I never forbid
myself to eat bad stuff if I feel like it. I eat chocolates
every day! Usually really dark chocolates
though, which means one or two pieces are
enough to stop the craving. I think it’s all about
moderation. Keeping yourself from eating things
you really want will just end up you wanting them
even more. Life is supposed to be enjoyed - in
moderation… I am known for downing a whole can
of Ben & Jerry’s sometimes though. My IBS stomach
usually gets an ice cream hangover the next
day. But once in awhile it’s totally worth it!
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