edu LIBRARY

Vivian Cove | Premium Member | Verified Credits (90)

Where are you from? Where are you based now and do you travel for shoots?

I am originally from Oakland, CA, and am now based in Santa Cruz along the gorgeous Central Coast. I love where I presently live because there are such a wide array of photographers in my surrounding areas, including the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Monterey/Carmel. What is also special about where I live is that I have the capacity to develop a close working relationship with certain artists near me and therefore work with them on a consistent basis, thus rendering better and more satisfying work.

I travel for 7 – 20 days per month, with the exception of November and December. While I love my local network, there are so many artists around the US that I have had the privilege of making art with, and there are so many others that I am eager to connect with. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy traveling alone as I get to set my own pace and immerse myself in the destination. I have also taken up remote shooting as of August 2020, which has been an innovative way for me to work with photographers internationally!

Who or what inspired you to become a model? How and when did you start modeling?

Back in 2018, I was a bit aimless and had essentially submitted to a career as a preschool teacher (spoiler alert: the pay sucked and my coworkers were often catty). Then a close friend of mine in the dance community of Santa Cruz encouraged me to pursue art modeling. I was a bit skeptical at first, but she and another friend of mine gently nudged me. She then mentored me for two modeling gigs, which is when I discovered the promise of this independent art-generating career. As someone who grew up in the arts, it means the world to me that I get to do this kind of work for a living. Thank you, Venus de Sierra!

What type of modeling do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy art nudes the most, which can look like a lot of things… As a dancer with no formal commercial or figure modeling background, I initially defaulted to dynamic, movement-oriented posing, which became my niche. Now I am intrigued by more subtle, painterly, classic figure posing and imagery, and I’m noticing a shift in my portfolio as I veer in that direction.

What do you look for when deciding to work with a photographer?

I look to see if our styles align, make sure they have decent references, a good sense of humor and laid-back personality, and most importantly, if they are curious or passionate about fine art photography. That said, I work with photographers of all experience levels and from all walks of life because we have that one thing in common. The variety of photographers I work with definitely makes this job all the more fascinating.

Which models or other artists currently inspire you?

Oh gosh! I am a bit shy to name-drop some models who inspire me but here goes… Lately, I have been super inspired by evocative portraiture, narrative, classic figure art nudes, and editorial art nudes. Some models who I think exude these aesthetics and moods are Anoush Anou, Maya Tihtiyas, Virbus Femina, and Meghan Claire. I will always love the dynamic, movement-art stuff that was initially my brand, but I am playing with expanding my posing range and changing my brand to something less “posey” and more “atmospheric.” These particular models have mastered this type of art.

What would be your dream shoot?

My dream shoot would be to pose for an album cover of a musician who I really respect and admire. Nick Cave, Joni Mitchell, Dave Byrne, REM, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and Weyes Blood, just to name a few.

How important is social media in your success?

I hate to admit it, but social media is my most integral marketing tool. Initially, when I made my Instagram account, the site was really cracking down on censorship. As a new model, I didn’t really know how to work with what I had. However, I’ve learned some tools and tricks here and there over the last year on how to gain more visibility. Now it’s working to my advantage! Furthermore, a lot of my photoshoots are booked via Instagram and Facebook so their presence in my life is an absolute necessity. However, I am a workaholic and a total social media addict. That said, these platforms have become my most hated ally.

What else do you like to do outside of modeling?

I am a practitioner of a movement practice called Contact Improv. Many photographers I have worked with have heard me geek out about it. It’s a partnered “formless dance form” that relies on gravity, trust, and moving through various points of contact. It has informed a lot of my posing and is a great therapeutic tool. I used to co-facilitate the weekly jam here in Santa Cruz before COVID-19 hit. I look forward to resurrecting it when dance facilities reopen. I also love hiking, connecting with friends, journaling, yowling to my moody playlists, and diving deeper into my own photography.

What’s the best career advice you can give to new models?

Don’t be afraid to ask for support from other models, find out where in the US or in the world your biggest market is, discover your superpowers and biggest challenges as a freelancer (it’s not for everyone), and finally, have fun! This work can be grueling at times, and it is also the best job I have ever had. Enjoy it, savor it, and be safe.

Check out Vivian Cove’s Model Mayhem portfolio to see more of her work. You can also follow Vivian on Instagram, Facebook, and her website.