Header photo: Neon Dreams Studio by photographer Abstract Reality and model Aurora Phoenix

We love shining the limelight on fabulous creatives in the PurplePort community and sharing their unique journeys and creative processes.

In this episode of FEATURED, we interviewed the stunning Aurora Phoenix, a PurplePort model based in Cambridgeshire, UK.

Dublin, Ireland by photographer Dave McDermott and model Aurora Phoenix

About PurplePort model, Aurora Phoenix

Aurora Phoenix is a 24-year-old, full-time self-employed, freelance published model who regularly does photoshoots with talented creatives from all over the UK & Europe. As well as shooting in person, Aurora also shoots remotely and has been conducting remote shoots since the pandemic began with photographers from all over the world, including further a field places such as Canada, Australia and the USA.

Aurora's Purpleport page features over 470+ positive references. She also has profiles on many other international modelling networking sites and has a huge following on social media, with 46K Instagram followers and 15K Twitter followers. 

Abstract by photographer Ben Kambel photography (not on PurplePort), model Aurora Phoenix and studio The Clock Tower London

Aurora has various publications under her belt, such as Femme Rebelle, Pho-Mo Pho-Mo Magazine, Avenidadigital30, Collect Boudoir, Daily Sport, SimplySxy, Sarze Magazine and many more (see Aurora's publication folder). 

Alongside her photoshoots, Aurora is a presenter for Lingerie Lowdown and has been featured in hundreds of product reviews on both YouTube and their website. Aurora has also been featured in a few of their podcasts on Spotify.

Fashion at the Louvre Museum ~ in Paris by photographer Marc Lamey (not on PurplePort) and model Aurora Phoenix

FEATURED Interview with PurplePort model, Aurora Phoenix

How did you get into modelling?

I got into modelling a few years back when I was studying at university. During my second year, one of my friends told me that she was on PurplePort and was currently doing TFP (time for print) shoots. She encouraged me to join the website and said that I had the potential to become a model.

At the time, I had no idea that modelling networking sites were even a thing, and I thought that you needed to be part of an agency to become a model. I did around three TFP shoots, and after the third, someone had seen my portfolio on PurplePort and asked me what I charged for shoots. This was around five years ago, so I didn’t know much about the industry.

Eventually, I met some other creatives and photographers in the industry who advised me on what I should be charging for shoots, what styles and genres would be right for me to shoot, and so much more about the industry, so I sort of learnt as I went along.

There were so many people who guided me, but I want to give a special thank-you to Retro Rob, who really took me under his wing at the start and taught me so much about model safety and other useful things about the industry too. I want to thank a lot of my closest friends who have helped me during my career, too, Monika Lara Smith, Tania Aresti and Gabriella Knight.

For a few months, I did a mixture of TFP shoots and paid ones alongside my university degree, and eventually, it became a sort of part-time job alongside university. When I went back to London to stay with family during the holidays, I found myself fully booked with photoshoots. When I graduated, I became a full-time model, and I still am over three years later.

Limmatauen Werdhölzli, Switzerland by photographer Sacha Saxer,  model Aurora Phoenix and Photoshop wizard Thelema

What did you do before becoming a model?

I was a university student, and I’m proud to say that I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. In the past prior to my degree, I had previously worked in childcare, and I also worked in a Jewellery shop alongside taking on some shifts with an event agency.

Outside my work, I also have a history of performing arts as I used to do classical and musical theatre as well as some acting too.

Do you have a health and fitness regime?

I work out doing a mixture of weight training, cardio, and yoga a few times a week. I eat a rather restrictive diet due to allergies, as I’m allergic to yeast and intolerant to wheat. I also don’t drink cow’s milk and eat a diet low in dairy in order to help keep my skin clear, and it's done wonders for me.

Mental health is important as well as physical health. I frequently see an ad hoc councillor when I have time to schedule in sessions. This is helpful as with freelance modelling, my schedule is different every week. So it’s hard to commit to an exact time or date on a regular basis.

Magic by photographer LRM Photography and model Aurora Phoenix

How do you prepare for your photoshoots?

I prepare for my photoshoots by going through messages from photographers to double-check themes, ideas, mood boards and what clothing, shoes and accessories they might need me to bring along.

On PurplePort, I have a virtual wardrobe where I have photographed all my lingerie, latex, and some fashion items too. This helps photographers to see clearly what I have in advance, and it also helps me to only pack what I’ll need and will be using for that particular shoot. Even if the shoot is at my home studio, it helps to save shoot time as photographers have already seen what I have ahead of time.

If it’s a tour where I am travelling somewhere in the UK or Europe, and I am doing multiple shoots within a few days, I will get a notepad and write everyone’s names down who I will be working with, and next to their names, I’ll write down the shoot themes and what they want me to pack from the pre-communications. Then I double-check train ticket times or my flights and set some alarms to make sure I am on time for everything the following day.

Before shooting, I tend to just go to the gym or have a quiet evening in. I try my best to have a good night’s sleep, although it can be hard when I know I have a super early flight or train to catch the next day.

As a freelance model, for the majority of shoots, I do my own makeup. I may do this at the studio, at my home or at the accommodation where I am staying beforehand, and I bring my makeup bag along for touch-ups throughout the day.

I mostly do a natural look if no one has specified what look to do. However, I may do a more dramatic look if requested. As well as a model, I am also a self-taught makeup artist, and I’ve had a passion and love for makeup since I was 10 years old. I’d always watch YouTube tutorials and read makeup books after school, practising looks and ideas when I was younger.

Naked in Paris by model Aurora Phoenix

What style of photoshoot do you enjoy working on the most?

This is such a tough question as I shoot so many different styles and genres; beauty, portrait, lifestyle, commercial, promotional, fashion, fitness, swimwear, lingerie, boudoir, pinup, vintage, steampunk, Pre-Raphaelite, latex, cosplay, implied art nude and concealed art nude. However, now I’m just about shooting latex, lingerie, and concealed art nude.

I also love creative style shoots such as the black tape project, glitter, or paint shoots. I also used to glue artificial rose petals to the skin and face to create all sorts of designs and shapes.

What’s the most interesting shoot you have ever worked on?

That’s a tough question to respond to really, as I’ve done so many interesting shoots over the years. I particularly enjoyed a body tape shoot that I did at the clock tower London just before the pandemic. It was my first body art shoot in such a stunning and spacious surreal location with really high ceilings and a huge ladder inside of a bell tower to climb up. The building just had the most stunning architecture and was so picturesque.

The person who I worked with on the shoot was both a body artist and a photographer. He was so professional and respectful. A big part of the shoot was actually the application of the body art, and it took around an hour and a half for him to apply the tape and designs to my body. He made me a sort of bodysuit/swimsuit to wear out of the tape, and it just looked amazing! I did some cool makeup and styling to match and some crazy hair, too, which I really enjoyed.

This shoot inspired a various others from the black tape project along with a creative series of shoots that I did with a few different photographers that involved paint, glitter and the application of artificial rose petals to the body.

Neon Dreams Studio by photographer Abstract Reality and model Aurora Phoenix

What do you enjoy the most about being a model?

I really enjoy being self-employed and independent. I get to choose which counties and cities I tour to, what events I participate in, and I can be selective about who I work with. It’s so great to make so many of my own decisions and to be my own boss.

I even take care of my own taxes too and get to organise my own schedule. If I need to go on holiday or take some time off, that’s definitely possible as long as I schedule it a few months in advance.

I love how no day is the same. I get to meet and work with so many different people, and I shoot a variety of themes and concepts. Some days I may be doing administration as well. I think people forget the amount of paperwork, castings and pre-communications that are actually involved in modelling besides the actual shoots themselves, but I do really enjoy every aspect of my job, and I have the freedom to space things out or to go at my own speed.

One of the best things about freelance modelling is that my options and creativity often get considered. When I have been on shoots, I’ve heard photographers say, “What do you think about this” “How would you style this” or “If you have any ideas, you are more than welcome to contribute”. I just love having a voice and the feeling that my input and ideas towards many projects have been so welcomed and valued over the years.

From shooting both remotely and in person, I have also learnt so much about photography and lighting, which has really helped me to improve my modelling. I am just so passionate about both modelling and photography, and I really enjoy learning new tricks and skills.

It’s also so lovely to be able to spend time with like-minded people as part of my job. At times I do find this job very social, and I love that about it.

Atmospheric by photographer Dave McDermott and model Aurora Phoenix

What would you describe as your main strengths as a model?

I am incredibly hardworking, motivated and driven. I really do take modelling seriously, and I see modelling as a career with goals and progressions. I love working towards my next milestone and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I’m not afraid to go to new places, meet and work with new people, or try out new themes and ideas.

I have also learnt to take constructive criticism well, and I am always looking to better myself and to learn and grow as both a model and a person. I would also say that I am very diverse and versatile as a model. I shoot in so many different styles and genres, which makes me appeal to so many different photographers and projects.

I am also very good at keeping up to date with my admin, and I’d say that to be a successful freelance model, the administration is a huge part of the job. There’s a lot of work that takes place behind the scenes that people don’t really see. As I do a lot of tours both in the UK and internationally, I need to book flights and apartments and organise travel plans.

I post casting calls on multiple networking sites, reach out to photographers, reply to messages, discuss ideas, provide information, write references, upload new images to keep my portfolio up to date, and so much more. I take pride in my work, and I write to-do lists to keep myself on track and even block out dates for admin that I won’t book shoots on.

When I first started modelling around five years ago, I put in so much time and dedication into practising my poses and facial expressions. I’ve watched so many posing tutorials on YouTube and read books on modelling and articles online too. From lots of practice, I’d say I am very good at posing in a fluid way, and I really enjoy doing lots of different looks and facial expressions in order to make images come alive. 

The eyes really are the window to the soul, and it’s amazing how going from a subtle smile to something angry or sultry can change the mood of an image in seconds.

What’s your favourite photo?

This is such a hard one as I have far too many favourites, but I’d say my favourite style of photograph is one that tells a story and captures emotion. I have seen some photos over the years that I just can’t stop looking at or those ones that are just eye-catching and unforgettable. If a photograph is memorable, then it’s definitely a good one as well.

Burford Manor by photographer D Rowley Photography and model Aurora Phoenix

Is there anyone in particular who inspires you?

Other touring models in the community really do inspire me, such as Art model Lucy, Gingerrox, PoeticMinx, Minh-Ly, and so many others as well. I just think it’s amazing to see these girls travelling the world with their modelling and getting bookings as freelancers to fill up these trips on their own accord.

Seeing other freelance models travel has really motivated me to take my modelling to the next level, and as a result, I have done my own modelling tours in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands.

I’ve been so grateful to be able to work with so many different photographers all over the UK and Europe. I’d love to travel to America and Australia one day for my modelling. These have been huge dreams of mine, and I really hope that one day they will become a reality.

Other people from outside the industry who inspire me are my parents, family and friends. I love seeing people close to me achieve such incredible things and also how they respond and face challenges that life presents to them.

My dad is a freelancer, just like myself but in a different industry. I really do look up to him so much for how much he’s achieved on his own and how he’s built things from the ground upward. You really can build your own empire and follow your dreams and turn them into a reality if you believe in yourself and work hard enough.

What advice would you give to a model starting out?

To a model starting out, I’d say that you should get to know yourself and what themes and genres that you’d like to shoot. Do a bit of research online, watch videos and read articles on modelling. Decide what levels you’d like to shoot and consider doing a few TFP (time, for print) shoots to build your portfolio and to get a bit of practice in front of the camera. See if you like it and if you’d like to pursue modelling further.

I’d also like to stress upon the importance of safety. It’s unfortunate, but in this industry, like any other, there are predators. Be sure to bring a chaperone with you if you can or if you are going somewhere alone, make sure that you let someone know where you are.

I have this app called ‘find friends’ on my iPhone, and it tracks my location 24-7. On the app, my location is constantly shared with my mum, dad, sister, brother, fiancé, and a few of my friends too. It’s a good idea to also always research who you are working with, read their references, and to contact any models that they have previously worked with if you are unsure of things.

Never be afraid to set your boundaries and to say no to something that makes you feel uncomfortable. It’s also completely okay to terminate a shoot and leave if someone is being inappropriate towards you.

Also, watch out for scams, as there are a lot of fake modelling agencies that ask for high joining fees or added costs to get images for your portfolio. If an agency is legitimate, they won’t charge you a joining fee or upfront costs to be part of that agency.

If you are unsure if something is a scam, go onto Google and type in ‘scam’ next to the company, person or business and lots of articles and complaints should pop up. You can even make a group chat about it on PurplePort or ask fellow friends, colleagues or other models who are part of the agency to see if it is legitimate or not.

One final question: Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?

Due to being allergic to yeast and finding this out from allergy tests a few years back, sadly, I can no longer eat pizza from any shops or restaurants.

If I really want pizza, I have to make it from scratch, and I use bicarbonate of soda instead of yeast in my dough, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve got round to making pizza from scratch especially being so busy with touring and travelling. I’d certainly say yes to pineapple on pizza if I got around to making a pizza, haha 😊

Psychedelic by photographer frankinsella and model Aurora Phoenix

Thanks again for speaking with us and sharing your creative journey, Aurora Phoenix. 

We hope you all enjoyed this interview. Check out the links below for more of Aurora's beautiful work!

Here's where you can find more of Aurora Phoenix's work

PurplePort: Aurora Phoenix

Facebook: radiantredhead20

Instagram: auroraphoenixmodel

Twitter: auroraPhoenix4

What is PurplePort

PurplePort is a modelling website that brings models, photographers and other creatives together with one fantastic service. We provide the tools and help you need to get together and create amazing photos.

Established in 2010, PurplePort has grown from strength to strength and now has 40,000+ active members worldwide. With features such as integrated messaging, calendar, shoot plans, image albums, references, credited photos, busy member forums, hundreds of articles, and dedicated full-time staff to help you, it's easy finding the perfect creatives you need for your next photography project. It's a fresh, fast, and feature-rich alternative to ModelMayhem.

Join the fastest growing, most feature-rich service of its kind and start making magical photos a reality!

Follow us on social media 

We regularly post beautiful, dynamic and inspiring images from our talented community on social media.

Check out our blog on PurplePort and our social channels below so you can stay inspired anytime:

Join now and start networking

Join the community and start your modelling or photography career now.