Hannah Hatfield | Staff Writer

Feature image courtesy of Polina Osherov Photography

Senior Emma Smith has a passion for modeling and is on the way to being a professional.

At 15, Smith began to realize that she had a serious passion for modeling, and she started searching for a way to find some connections in the industry.

“My modeling career started when I was scouted at the Keystone Fashion Mall by a model scout,” Smith said.

Soon after she was scouted, Smith began meeting with different agencies and setting up photo shoots. The first agency Smith signed with was SEEN models.

“I loved working with SEEN but I needed to get out of Indy,” Smith said. “I am in the process of signing with an agency in LA. I see a lot more potential for me with this agency.”

After working with SEEN, she hopes that other agencies will be interested in her work.

“A dream of mine would be to model for Victoria Secret,” Smith said. “I would also love to walk for Tommy Hilfiger, Versace and Louis Vuitton. I definitely do think if things go as planned in my modeling career I could get there.”

While Smith has had some success, she believes her looks could get in the way of future jobs.

“I have brown hair and brown eyes which are very common features for models, Smith said. “It can be hard to get into shows, shoots or other agencies because of stuff like that.”

However, she does not plan to let that stop her anytime soon.

“You have to be confident,” Smith said. “It’s a key in modeling to have power and strength. You will have bumps in the road, but when you fall down, you have to get right back up and work hard.”