Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Auvenshine.
Heidi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Michigan with dreams of working in the fashion industry–I spent hours sketching outfits and accessories in notebooks and flashcards, and kept an eye out for an opportunity in which my designs could come to life on the runway.
While I went on to study public relations and marketing at Boston University, I didn’t completely abandon my childhood aspirations. I joined BU’s Fashion Retail Club (FAB) freshman year and continued to prepare for and attend the bi-annual runway shows all four years of college. I started as part of the set-up crew, then auditioned to be a model second semester of freshman year.
I will never forget the rush I felt second semester sophomore year when I modeled for the Spring show, volunteered as a fashion designer (I hand-made bedazzled bras for festival season), and was featured in the advertisements for the circus-themed show. Being so involved in multiple parts of the production is one of my favorite memories from my experience with fashion.
Soon after this experience, I became deeply involved in the Boston portrait photography scene through Instagram. I spent my weekends setting up shoots with photographers whose Instagram profiles I admired, then I attended my first Portrait Meet after getting in touch with Can Ahtam (@CanAhtam) in 2015. I have since met incredible people who have remained my friends since my first groupshoot.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve learned so much about myself and the local photography/fashion scene since I started modeling almost seven years ago. What started as a casual college hobby turned into a huge part of my life and a trek to learn about myself. Becoming signed to an agency in Boston has been a dream of mine since 2015, but after multiple rejections over the course of a year took toll on my physical health, I decided, with the help of some really supportive people in my life, to table the goal. Reaching this goal is still a priority of mine, so I will probably start applying this summer and I’m glad to be doing so in a better head-space and with more confidence.
Through Instagram, I’ve met and learned to work with so many types of people (models, stylists, photographers, etc.), and the most important thing I can take away from this experience so far is the collection of good relationships I now have. It used to just be about the photos for me, but now it’s about the relationships and the quality of the collaborations.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’ve worked with photographers from Boston and New York, and businesses such as The House of Findings (an amazing pop up carrying vintage/handmade/up-cycled clothing based in Cambridge, MA), Mint Julep, Thrive Exchange, and Reina Valentina. I’ve been in creative projects and films, walked in runway shows, and have participated in a ton of creative portrait shoots.
I love classic photo shoots, but have also discovered a love for film pieces as well. Working with a team to put a piece together has always been one of my favorite parts of my experiences and I’ve luckily never had any issues collaborating with those I work with to come up with something we’re proud of. I try to have as much fun as possible at a shoot–getting to know who I’m working with is as much fun as actually working on the project.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’m actually grateful for how small the artist community in Boston is. I have definitely complained about it when I was trying to get signed and found that there were only a few “good” modeling agencies in Boston. A complaint I often hear is how it’s impossible to “make it” in Boston, and that it’s the type of place where you start then move to New York City. I agree with that, but I still love that the community is small enough to the point that we all probably have at least one mutual friend.
Contact Info:
- Email: heidiers@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Simon Gee (@xlixir), Daniel Nova (@danielism_), Daniel Nova (@danielism_), Sydney Claire (@sydneyyy.claire), and Robert Jegabbi (@Jegabbi).
Oleg Teplyuk and Sydney Claire
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