I am a mother of 4 children. I was a very depressed child and later grew to develop a panic disorder. I had my first child at 20 just trying to find something that will love me. Unfortunately, I wasted a lot of years trying to please everyone and forgetting to care about myself. As I grew, things got worse. I became so depressed that I could hardly cope. I laid in bed wishing for it to be all over but never leaving because my kids needed me. Eventually, it got so bad that I was faced with 2 choices, death, or change everything. I started researching and finding out more about myself and what I truly believed. Turned out, it was almost completely opposite to what I thought. I started to change things until I started to find some happiness. I tore down all the walls and started new. As I was discovering myself, I found a wonderful girl who pushed me to model. As I started to shoot, I found a new happiness that I cannot explain. I thrived and found something that I loved to do, for me. I started to worry about myself, and my happiness. My life has done nothing but goes uphill quickly, and I thank God that I found myself something I love so desperately. I would love to help others that struggle one day, show them that happiness is something you will only achieve if you work hard to change the crap. It was hard to do but well worth it.
I have been modeling now for about a year and a half. I find every shoot a new learning experience and pride myself on how fast I am getting better. I think life is one big lesson, you just have to take the time to learn it. My life has gone from unbearable to thriving in the few short years I have decided to change everything. Who I was, and who I am now, they are nothing alike. I have done a lot of things that I regret from my past, but I have come so far to be nothing like I was. So, even though I have screwed up, I have learned my lessons. That to me is what life is all about. There is only one life, why spend it depressed? Find what will make you happy and do it. I refuse to waste my life wishing I was happy, the change will only happen if you take the bull by the horns and change what you don’t like.
This is the best decision that I have ever made, and my life is more amazing than I ever expected. I hope to spend many years modeling and trying to make a difference. I can’t wait to see where I will be in one year from now.
What does fashion actually mean to you? I am not your average run of the mill girl. I am not into the names or how expensive my clothes are. In fact, I often use the local second-hand stores. My fashion tells my personality for the day. If I am down, or tired, I am going to wear my sweats. If I feel sexy, then I may wear a sexy little outfit and put out that effort for the day. I wear what I think looks good. As far as I am concerned, my clothes don’t make me, how I feel in those clothes is what matters. If I feel good, I look good.
What inspires your passion? What excites & motivates you about modeling? My Nan is the biggest inspiration to me in life, I have dedicated anything I do in life to her first and foremost. She was the most amazing woman I have ever known, and inspiration on who I want to be in life.
I don’t know if one person, in particular, would inspire me as far as modeling, but I would say sharing our pictures on Facebook can often inspire me. If I find something that I like, then I am going to want to do something similar, or will create those juices flowing for the idea of my own.
Excites? I spent most of my life wanting to act. When I have a story to tell in a photo, I thrive. I want a photo that will excite people, stop them in their tracks so they have to look. I want a picture that takes more than 10 seconds to look at. I want that shot that will amaze. That is the stuff that excites me.
What do you think, is it any important to attended fashion modeling courses? Being from a small town, we do not have many courses for modeling. I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing photographers that have taught me the posing, but if I have the opportunity to go to courses, then I will be trying hard to attend. We can always learn more and get better. If we had more of them, I would utilize them for sure. Just remember, you can never be too informed.
How you communicate with other netizens? How often you reply to them? I am a firm believer in treating everyone the way you wish they would treat you, not the way they treat you. I try to be the best person that I can be. I try to treat everyone with respect and care. And if a person is trying to make trouble, then it’s not worth my time to give them what they want, to be irritated with them. People know who I am, I can defend myself once and move on.
Has modeling changed other aspects of your life? Modeling is the first thing in many years that I have done for me. Before this, I was raising kids and forgot to care for myself. I feel free, and I feel amazing after I shoot. I think, if anything, it’s taught me that I can do something for myself and I can accomplish things people never thought I would.
What has been your best fashion look? The best look came from my white series in front of the window. It was just a white underskirt and a bra, but it came out amazing.
Is there anything you dislike about modeling? I think the only issues I have ever had are some of the people who come out and try to harm you. Not sure why people feel the need to try to insult and tear down others. But I find it sad. As far as I am concerned, we should be telling people the good things, bringing up their feelings and making them feel good about themselves. I don’t understand the destructive behavior of some people.
And what are some things you dislike or want to change about the fashion industry? Not sure, maybe more opportunities to make money in Kamloops. Better organization. But I am pretty happy with how the industry is growing. I am seeing people who would have never thought about modeling getting out there, and I love it.
How you prepare yourself for a modeling shoot? I start the day prior to getting ready. I have my clothes all picked out, I have my makeup ready to go. I get myself ready between 2 and 3 hours early and out the door with lots of time to spare. This is probably why I am never late.
What are your favorite types of outfits to model in? I am pretty comfortable in anything I have modeled so far.
Any least favorites? I don’t really have a least favorite because I haven’t had any bad experiences yet.
Any ultimate goal to fulfill as a model? How do you see yourself progress? I would like to help people who have suffered much as I had. I want to be a role model for young girls who suffer from depression and anxiety. I want to make a difference in this world, one way or another. Make my life have a purpose. How far will I go with this? I am not sure, I am just enjoying the ride. I hope far.
What kind of shoots would you like to work on in the future? I would like more artistic. I have so many ideas’s going on in my mind, I’d love to put them all in picture form. I also have some plans to create short stories in my near future with pictures as well. Think that could be a really fun thing to do.
Tell me something about your city, your favorite hang out spots there? It’s a small town, a beautiful small town. The one thing about BC is that it’s beautiful. You get out in the woods and get to see nature at it’s finest. Our winters are filled with snow and snow sports, Our summers are warm and spent in the bush camping. I am lucky to live in such a beautiful province.
How you entertain yourself? We do a lot of camping, fishing. We teach our kids survival and teach our kids the wonders of nature.
What is your perfect day, morning through tonight? Sleeping, I have 4 kids. Maybe a few shots in between the sleep.
What’s your fashion mantra? Describe your style and your beauty regime? I am usually pretty casual. Having kids, 90% of the time I wear jeans and a spaghetti-strapped shirt. Makeup is usually limited. I look just like every other person on the street. When modeling, it’s another story. You have more makeup, more dramatic clothes. Things you wouldn’t normally wear. It’s more like you are going for a night out with the girls. Your all dolled up.
Do you eat nutritiously? Tell me about the diet you follow on a regular basis? Is there any food which you avoid eating? I am a certified Chef, I cook dinner every night. I try to cook as healthy as possible, but I am also not opposed to going out for a burger every now and then. I believe that we should be as healthy as possible (I do not condone dieting) but anything in small amounts won’t hurt you either. I have no issues with eating a chocolate bar or drinking a can of Pop. Just not every day or in large amounts. I try to keep herbal as much as I can. I keep my ears open, learn.
How often do you exercise or go to the gym & workout? I try to work out as much as possible, just just like many of us, I do have the lazy days that I just can’t see getting myself up and working out.
What do you find to be the easiest way to look pretty and glamourous? Feel it. You don’t have to wear a lot of makeup to look beautiful. Its how you feel about yourself, the way you carry yourself that draws people in.
What other modeling projects have you done? I am about to be in my first calendar for 2013. I am also currently in the process of creating a web page. https://www.facebook.com/AliHanney4U
What are your experiences in the fashion industry? What is fun and rewarding about modeling? Any advice for other aspiring models? I love modeling. It’s the best thing I have ever chosen to do for myself. What it does for your self-esteem, how it helps you feel. I love it more then words can say. Any advice? The fashion industry is hard to get into. It’s going to seem tedious and hard at times. Trying to figure it out can be difficult. But if you really want to do it, then don’t let it get you down. Work hard, give it everything you have. And never stop loving what you are doing.
Which fashion magazines, weblogs & catalogs do you like browsing? I love checking out the new upcoming magazines. I mean, we can sit and look at all the fashion magazines that make a fortune and are on every magazine rack. But the new upcoming magazines, those are the ones that have a new kind of creativity to them. I like being able to support small magazines.
Tell me your favorites. Favorite TV series: Walking Dead, Breaking bad (so sad it’s gone), Shameless (USA), and Hell on wheels. I love my history, the learning networks that teach you about our history, the stuff I don’t know. Anything to do with Astronomy. Life to me is about learning, and the more you learn, the more power you have in this world.
I am enjoying Awolnation’s CD lately. Gotta love the bands that can get your feet tapping. I’m also a person who likes my classical music. Best bands came out of the ’70s (and Nirvana). The Who, Jimmy Hendrix, CCR. We have had so many amazing bands from our history.
Favorite movies: Where the buffalo roam and fear and loathing in Las Vegas.
How you access the internet? Which device do you use? I use a PC. I would like anything else. 😛
Do you have your own fashion blog? I am in the process of trying right now to get one up and going.
Your message to netizens? Don’t ever give up the fight. Life is far too short to be spent unhappy. And never stop growing as a person.