Sunrise Life - beyond skin deep conversations with freelance nude models

Riley Jade - Surprising Scuba Divers, Changing Tire in a Tutu at a Shoot, & more

In this episode of Sunrise Life, I interviewed freelance model Riley Jade, whose journey into modeling started in the most unexpected way—while searching for a bed online. We dive into how she went from a conservative upbringing to embracing art nude modeling, navigating the internal conflict between societal conditioning and personal empowerment. Riley shares how a respectful first experience shaped her entire career, and why trust and communication are everything in this industry. We also get into the realities of freelance modeling life—travel, community, and the shift from cutthroat competition to genuine connection among models today. From wild shoot stories (including an unexpected run-in with scuba divers) to changing a tire in a tutu, her experiences highlight both the absurdity and independence that come with the job. Riley also opens up about injury recovery, balancing modeling with a “normal” job, and redefining success on her own terms. This conversation is a raw and inspiring look at choosing authenticity, even when it challenges everything you were taught.
Check out Riley Jade on jer IG https://www.instagram.com/rileyjademodel/ 

Ophelia Bloom -Waitress turned Hustler/ Playboy model! Coco Rocha Inspired, art & more!

In this episode of Sunrise Life, freelance model Ophelia Bloom shares about her winding, unpredictable path that led her into the world of modeling and creative entrepreneurship. Ophelia shares how a chance encounter while waitressing eventually sparked a full-time career, and how she balanced pursuing art while raising her daughter as a single mom  . We dive into the realities of building credibility in the industry, including how publications like Playboy and Hustler impacted her career and opened new opportunities for travel and workshops. Ophelia also reflects on navigating different modeling genres, from fine art nude to glamour and fetish work, and how easily models can be pigeonholed if they’re not intentional about showing their range. Along the way, she shares some wild behind-the-scenes stories from shoots and travel that reveal the chaotic, unpredictable side of the industry. This conversation is honest, funny, and full of insight for anyone curious about the real life of a freelance model.
follow her on IG!  https://www.instagram.com/ifollowthebloom 
All her links are at http://www.hoo.be/followthebloom

Fanny Muller - Acrobatic Nude Model Traveling with her Dog!

In this episode of Sunrise Life, Hungarian freelance model and aerial acrobat Fanny Muller talks about building her international modeling career from the ground up. We dive into how she went from a teenage modeling scam to becoming a full-time traveling artist, performing aerial silks, hoop, and pole work across Europe and the U.S. Fanny shares powerful lessons about safety on set, advocating for yourself, and learning the hard way that no one will protect your body and career except you. We also talk about the emotional realities of constant travel, finding (or not finding) a supportive partner- and maybe that partner is a furry friend!!! This is a raw, honest conversation about independence, resilience, and choosing your own path in an industry most people only see through perfectly curated images.
Check out Fanny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fannymuller_model
and on her website:https://mullerfanny.com/
and Fanny's dog! https://www.instagram.com/mrp_thetravelingdog

Aim - Australian Traveling Nude Model, Remote Shoots, Music & more!

Aim is a full time freelance model from Australia! I had a fantastic time learning more about some of her intense methods: Her tours can be up to FIVE months long! Spending a week at a time in a country, state or province. 
Aim is also very talented in other ways too: she is quite versed in secluded location remote shooting, requiring her to bring a camera, laptop, tripod and internet hot spot so that photographers can sit comfortably in their homes while capturing epic artistic nudes in nature places around the world. Her process is so fascinating! 
Check out Aim here: Http://www.instagram.com/aim.model
and all her links are at http://www.linktr.ee/aim.model 

Mandii Monarch - Ever-Evolving Ass-kicking Model Who is Not Afraid of Change!

I reached out to Mandii because her personality online seemed very relatable and even funny- after getting to know her through this podcast interview, I learned she is a badass! Her prior job was in security, and she was in the Marine Corp as well. 
Modeling became her full time gig after a while! I was so surprised at all the shifts Mandii has made throughout her life, I can tell she has the drive to make things happen. 
Check out Mandii on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/mandii_monarch/
Cover Image by SwipeRight Photo

Katie Marie - Modeling since 12! Agencies, Influencing, Abusive Exes + more

In this episode of Sunrise Life, I interviewed freelance model Katie Marie for a deeply honest, powerful conversation about resilience, boundaries, and building a creative career on your own terms. Katie shares her journey from agency modeling to freelancing, learning how to set her rates, curate her brand, and stop working for free. We also dive into the realities of travel modeling, including one of the most shocking and cautionary “crash photoshoot” stories we’ve ever shared on the podcast. Beyond the industry talk, Katie opens up about healing from trauma, breaking cycles, and transforming pain into purpose. This episode is raw, grounding, and ultimately filled with hope — a reminder that you can rise, rebuild, and still choose joy.
Check her out on IG! https://www.instagram.com/katie.marie.gaudin/
And check out her website (her self published book is in here too!) https://www.katiemariegaudin.com/ 

Side Hustles for Freelance Models! With Astrid Kallsen, Whitney Masters & Kristy Jessica

Kristy, Whitney, and Astrid discuss practical strategies for freelance models to diversify income, reduce burnout, and build more stable careers.
We share personal stories and actionable ideas including virtual figure modeling, subscription platforms, virtual assistant work, agencies, acting, makeup, photography, remote shoots, event hosting, selling art references, teaching, and mentorship.
Listeners get simple tips on audience transformation, pricing, boundaries, and weighing the risks and rewards of each side hustle.
If you're interested in making income via Whitney's Online Figure Drawing Platform, here is the link! silhouetteandshadow.org/ 

Meghan Claire: Integrity in her Nude Modeling Career, from Craigslist to the Cenotes!

In this episode, I interviewed fine art model Meghan Claire to trace how a $40 Craigslist gig back in 2008 blossomed into a 15+ year career in nude art and nature-based modeling. Meghan shares how her background in anthropology and archaeology, a nude-friendly upbringing, and early positive experiences with student photographers and Model Mayhem shaped her values of integrity, body autonomy, and only saying yes to work that truly aligns with who she is. We talk about stigma around the word “model,” navigating partners’ reactions to nude work, and the importance of clear boundaries—especially when a multi-day booking in Canada turned into a surreal experience involving broken glass, being treated like a mannequin, and even a helicopter chasing off a bear. Meghan also opens up about stepping away from modeling to have her daughter, the insecurities she faced returning years later, and the surprisingly warm, supportive “homecoming” she found in the community. Toward the end, she shares her love of underwater and coastal shooting, why today’s Instagram rules have reshaped how we create, and her current life on the Oaxacan coast of Mexico, where she’s available for one-on-one shoots and future collaborative tours.
Check out Meghan here: https://linktr.ee/meghanclaireart
and on her instagram! https://www.instagram.com/meghanclaireart/?hl=en
 

Kitty Dawson - Started modeling at 14: UK model now travels internationally!

This week I’m joined by the wildly well-traveled UK based model, Jade Kitty Dawson: a full-time touring art nude / fashion / alt model who has shot over countless photo sessions across Europe. She and I finally found a moment to connect despite the 7-hour time zone difference between the US and the UK. We talk about the realities of modeling in the UK vs mainland Europe (and why the rates are often lower in the UK), how she strategically chooses where she tours so she can still walk away with profit, and her upcoming major leap: planning her very first tour to Australia, where she’ll be flying 22+ hours for a 2–3 week run. What I love about Jade is her willingness to take those big, scary leaps purely in the name of growth - even when she’s nervous - because, as she says, “you always regret the chances you didn’t take.”
 
We also dive deep into the beginning of her career — she started doing “site modeling” at just 14, styling, shooting, and editing her own photos as a one-woman creative outlet, which genuinely helped her come out of a dark period of bullying, depression, and anxiety. From there we follow her path into professional modeling, the encouragement she received to try art nude, navigating family reactions, and the harsh lessons she learned about safety while traveling internationally as a freelance model. (She’s had to deal with both genuinely kind photographers who lay out a full spread of snacks… AND the rare creeps who prove that even a photographer you’ve known for years can cross a line.) All in all, this is such a raw, honest, truly global conversation about independence, self-trust, taking risks, and staying safe in a wildly unconventional career.
Check her out! 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jadekittydawson/
and on her website https://www.kittydawson.com/ 

Minh-Ly: Pro Creative Who Rebelled Against Strict Upbringing

In this episode, freelance model Minh-Ly shares her journey from a shy first film shoot in Montreal to a decades-long international career, detailing memorable shoots, overcoming family expectations and mental-health challenges, and embracing creative roles beyond modeling.
She talks about balancing nomadic travel with the desire for stability, expanding into makeup, styling and photography, and a unique creative project called "Revenge of the Model,". She also offering practical insights for creatives to curate their presence and build sustainable, fulfilling careers.
You can check out Minh-Ly's portfolio and her other creative endeavors at her website: https://minh-ly.com/  
and on her IG at https://www.instagram.com/minhly.model