We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalia Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natalia, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I think when you do what makes you happy without trying to please everyone around you, you naturally exude confidence and raise your own self esteem. It’s important to remember that you cannot make everyone around you happy, and it’s not your responsibility either. But sometimes blocking people out is hard, so I adapted this mentality: “Mind over Matter” which basically means shifting your perspective to change the way you feel about certain things. It can apply in almost every area of life. If you maintain in your own head that you’re a beautiful person, no matter the circumstances, that is what your brain will continue to believe. But on days when my brain is doing some weird chemical imbalance stuff, I like to remind myself of times people have gone out there way to genuinely compliment me, they took time and courage to let me know, and how dare I let that go to waste. And when all else fails, I do what makes me feel good. Self care is important to your confidence and self esteem. Remember to take care of yourself.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
There is a lot happening within the NAMJ brand, constantly! I’m a bit of an all star when it comes to the creative industry, I have involvement in many different areas. I have the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week in August. This project is reliant upon the public’s support, please purchase a ticket, there are virtual and in person available for 64.99 (!!) I am also constantly shooting with photographers to bring their creative concepts to life. If you’d like to book me to be apart of your vision, please reach out via Instagram (namj_official), where my business email is linked! I also just finished the Black Tape Project, where the human body was the canvas, shout out @Thepplspromo! I’ll be doing more body positive shoots soon! Not only do I model, but I do my own hair and makeup for every single shoot! I will be attending cosmetology school soon to build on those self-taught skills, so add “Cosmetologist” to the resume! I am also a stylist, I style all of my own outfits, outfits for shoots, friends outfits, and back when I worked in retail, was the in-house stylist that guests came to with questions and recommendations. I have a clothing brand in the works, so that’s where the styling and designing will really come to play a big role. But outside of the image behind the brand, I do promotion for large parties and club scenes, and help to host a few. I just recently partnered with NEW WAVE, a self started promotional group, to bring more entertainment to Minnesota’s underground. We will actually be hosting a bake sale to raise money for the surviving victim of the fiery car crash that happened on Hiawatha Avenue, so please check out @namj_official or @mn_newwave on Instagram for more details. There are a lot more NAMJ projects to come, so stay tuned via Instagram!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the number 1 key in being a model is having the look, which can mean a lot of things. “The look” could be the traditional model look, it can be unique feature on your body, it can be through your expression. You have to find out which category you fit into. The most helpful skill to learn though, would be networking. Whenever someone asks me what tips I can give them, this is my go-to. Networking can get you into rooms that degrees never could. Marketing yourself to the right people, in the right way, will have opportunities falling into your lap. If you’re naturally shy, practice coming out of your shell. Start small, make conversation with strangers in public, talk to yourself in the mirror, start shifting your mindset to that of a model. If you start thinking, moving, talking, dressing, and promoting yourself as a model, the rest will follow. You also have to be open to change and direction in this industry. You may have to try a different style or look for a shoot, the photographer may tell you to try odd poses or expressions, you have to keep an open mind. As a model, you are the art, not the artist.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always looking to collaborate! Whether that be with photographers and videographers, content creators of all sorts, fashion brands, clubs, producers, promoters, MUA’s, nail technicians, hair stylists, artists etc. If you are a creative of any sort I’d love to come together to create/show off something amazing!! If you’re seriously considering me for your concept, please DM me on Instagram (namj_official), or email [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namj_official
Image Credits
@mark_ramm_photography @srt.visuals @solas_ofthe_people
