Model Q&A: Sarah Veslany
Nikon D750 Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART @ f/1.4 1/80s ISO 10000 - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
How did you get into modeling?
Eric and I worked together on our college paper and he approached me about it a few times over the span of a couple of years before I eventually caved. I never wanted people to think that I was cocky and I never liked the idea of drawing too much attention. Plus, I have two very photogenic sisters and have always been more comfortable behind the camera. I love photography and am an amateur photographer myself so when I finally agreed to model for Eric I approached it as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could translate emotion into a new medium.
Nikon D750 Nikon 85mm f/1.8 G @ f/2.5, 1/2500s, ISO 100 - Beach 11 Presque Isle State Park
What helps make you comfortable during a shoot?
MUSIC. I always have a playlist going because it masks the shutter noise and sets the tone. Eric and I either have creative themes set ahead of time for a shoot or we just wing it based on: time, our surroundings, or divine inspiration. As asinine as this may sound I am an America’s Next Top Model super fan. It’s basically an Amazon Prime subsidized Tyra Banks Master Class on modeling. It’s always been helpful to watch girls with similar body shapes and bone structures to my own learn how to showcase their best features or cloak the ones they could live without.
Nikon D750 Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G @ f/1.8 1/160s ISO 500 - Washington D.C.
What do you wish you knew earlier?
That lighting (both natural and artificial) are your best friends.
Knowing your angles is vital to giving the appearance of a cute nose.
That blowouts take the stress out of a shoot day.
Oddities are what makes the film interesting.
That I had the ability to do this all along.
About The Author
Sarah Veslany is an HR professional by day and a bohemian indefinitely. When she is not at work she can be found singing in her bathroom, curled up on a couch with a movie, or manically relaying a personal anecdote to someone she probably just met.
You can read more from Sarah on her website or check out one of her photoshoots below!
My friend Sarah and I went up on to the roof of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for some night-time rooftop portraits.