Life & Work with McKenna Joy

Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Joy.

Hi McKenna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had always loved getting my photo taken and been told “you should model”, but I never had taken it seriously. One day when I was 20, I decided to. I wanted to shoot my shot, it was now, when I was young, or never. I went to my first shoot in Chicago and made some connections on Instagram. One of my biggest influences to help my get off the ground was Manny Xabier (@m.xabier_). He gave me the understanding of the industry, what a good image was, posing, and lighting. Along with all of those helpful things he put together a solid book for me to take to Chicago agencies of not only his work but also the other good connections helped me make. Soon after I got signed with The Rock Agency (@therockagency @therockinfluencers @therocktalentagency) in Chicago. I continued to book work, shoot with more photographers, gain tearsheets, travel, and sign with more agencies such as Unique Models (@uniquemodelsgr) and IGroup (@theigroup). My next step was going to New York. I had to actually MOVE there before I could find an agency. Moving model apartments, learning the city, and risking it all was worth it when I signed with EMG Models (@emg_models). I lived the Seaport District and was working in NYC until Covid hit… Not to mention, only 3 weeks before that I had made my first international placement with Icon Model Management (@iconmodelmanagement). Covid made the industry very complicated, as everyone has been affected. During this, I took that time to update my book until I had the oppurtunity to go to Turkey for a few months on my now second international contract. I worked in Turkey for two months before coming home to Clarkston. Since then I have been back to normal: traveling, shooting, signing with more agencies (@longislandmodels), and gaining tearsheets. Though all of this I have had the oppurtunity meet and work with someone who has been inspiration for my work for a long time, Jean Philippe (@jeanphilippepiterphotography). All I can say is… we have amazing things coming….

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe nothing ever ‘worth it’ is a smooth road. I’ve had my bumps, as everyone has, but nothing that has really set me back far. I have learned everything, good or bad, is a learning experience and you can only get better and learn for the next time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Modeling may seem all high class and glamorous, but the reality is very different. No day is ever the same and that is always exciting! Let’s start with the fun stuff though. As a model I get many awesome perks things such as attending events, traveling, recieving gifts from companies, complimentary food from restaurants, the modeling apps, and so on.. All of this does come with a cost, just like any job. The downsides are that I must stay the same measurements, being body shamed, cruel agents, not being fed on set, stalkers, the model apartment conditions, never being home, creepy photographers, only being liked because of how you look, and so on… This all can come in a day of modeling for some or it may never happen to others. Even though there are things in this industry that are not as glamous as they may seem, there is enough sparkle for me to stay.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe everything happens for a reason and that we all have a path.

Contact Info:

Image Credits:
Vladimir Illic
Manny Xabier
Elfego Solares
Jean Philippe Piter
Chris Knight