Interviewing model Laetitia Bouffard Roupe
1. How did you first discover your passion for modeling, and what inspired you to pursue it professionally?
My path into modeling was quite unexpected! I actually come from a performing arts background. I started ballet at the age of three, trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, and later spent 17 years working internationally as a professional acrobat, including with Cirque du Soleil.
I didn't initially set out to become a model. It was actually a Portuguese photographer from Porto, André Brito, who approached me and proposed a professional photoshoot combining artistic nude photography, ballet, and aerial hoop. That was back in June 2018, and it became my very first professional modeling experience.
That experience introduced me to the artistic possibilities of photography. I realized that I could use everything I had learned through dance, acrobatics, and yoga to express myself in front of the camera.
What started as an unexpected opportunity gradually developed into a passion, and in October 2020, I decided to dedicate myself fully to professional art modeling.
It was another way of expressing myself through my body, but this time, instead of performing on stage, I was creating art through photography.
2. Do you remember your first professional modeling experience? What was that moment like for you?
Absolutely! My first professional modeling experience was with André Brito, a talented Portuguese photographer based in Porto.
He invited me to collaborate on an artistic photoshoot combining fine-art nude photography, ballet, and aerial hoop, which perfectly brought together my performing arts background and the world of photography.
I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to professional modeling. André is an outstanding photographer and an incredible professional, which made the whole experience enjoyable and inspiring.
The photographs we created were absolutely stunning, and I remember being amazed by the results.
That experience made me realize how much I enjoyed expressing myself through photography and inspired me to continue collaborating with other artists.
Looking back, that first photoshoot played an important role in shaping the direction of my career.
3. The modeling industry can be very competitive. What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced throughout your career?
Interestingly, I've never really seen freelance modeling as a competition between models.
Every model has her own personality, style, physical qualities, and artistic expression. We all bring something different to the table, and I believe there's room for everyone to develop their own career.
For me, the biggest challenges have been much more related to the logistical and administrative side of being a freelance model.
People often see the beautiful photographs and exciting travel destinations, but they don't realize how much work happens behind the scenes.
Organizing bookings, communicating with photographers, arranging flights and accommodation, planning international trips, managing finances, and marketing yourself all take a considerable amount of time.
When you're freelance, you're responsible for every aspect of your business, and there's nobody else doing those tasks for you.
You need to be extremely organized, disciplined, and good at managing your time.
The photoshoots are the creative and enjoyable part, but running the business behind them is often the biggest challenge!
4. What do you believe makes a model truly stand out, beyond physical appearance?
For me, personality and creativity are two of the most important qualities that make a model stand out.
A model should be able to bring something personal to a photoshoot, contribute ideas, and express herself creatively rather than simply following instructions.
Of course, having a good understanding of posing, body positioning, and how to work with light is also essential.
My background in ballet, acrobatics, and yoga has given me a strong awareness of my body, movement, and artistic expression.
But I also believe that professionalism starts long before you step in front of the camera.
Good communication from the very first contact makes a huge difference. It shows photographers that you're genuinely interested in the collaboration, that you take your work seriously, and that you're reliable.
Being responsive, organized, and professional gives photographers confidence that you'll show up as agreed and contribute positively to the experience.
Ultimately, it's the combination of creativity, personality, technical skills, and professionalism that makes a model memorable.
5. Is there a particular photographer, designer, brand, or creative professional you have always dreamed of working with?
I've always been more interested in the artistic vision behind a project than in working with a particular famous name.
What excites me most is collaborating with photographers who see the human body as a form of artistic expression and aren't afraid to experiment with movement, light, composition, and unusual locations.
I particularly enjoy working with creative professionals who bring something different to the table, whether that's an original concept, a distinctive photographic style, or a location that inspires us to create something unexpected.
For me, the most rewarding collaborations happen when both the photographer and the model contribute their ideas and create something neither could have achieved alone.
6. Fashion and beauty trends are constantly changing. How do you develop and maintain your own personal style?
I don't follow trends very closely, especially in my modeling work.
My style is strongly influenced by my background in dance and my appreciation for the human body as an artistic subject.
I'm naturally drawn to elegant lines, movement, simplicity, and timeless imagery.
I enjoy both color and black-and-white photography, as each offers different artistic possibilities and ways of expressing emotion, movement, and atmosphere.
At the same time, I enjoy experimenting with different styles, from fine-art nude and implied photography to fashion, dance, and more conceptual projects.
I think developing your own style comes from understanding what genuinely inspires you rather than trying to fit into whatever happens to be popular.
7. What has been the most memorable photoshoot or modeling project of your career so far, and why?
It's difficult to choose just one photoshoot because I've been fortunate enough to work with so many talented photographers in beautiful and unusual locations around the world.
However, one of my proudest achievements has been creating my own photography books.
My newest photography book, UNSEEN, brings together 209 photographs created with 56 photographers from 14 different countries.
What makes this project particularly meaningful is that it represents much more than a collection of beautiful images.
Each photograph tells a story of collaboration, creativity, travel, and human connection.
Producing my books independently has also allowed me to take on a completely different role, from being the subject of the photographs to selecting the images, developing the concept, managing production, and bringing the finished books to collectors around the world.
Seeing years of artistic collaborations come together in a physical book has been incredibly rewarding.
8. How do you prepare mentally and emotionally before stepping in front of the camera or walking onto a runway?
After so many years of performing and modeling, being in front of a camera feels quite natural to me.
I don't have a particular ritual, but I do pay attention to how I feel physically and mentally.
Movement has always been part of my life, so yoga, stretching, and breathing exercises help me stay connected to my body.
Before a photoshoot, I also like to understand the photographer's vision, the location, and the overall concept.
Once the session begins, I try to stay present and allow the creative process to develop naturally.
Some of my favorite photographs have come from spontaneous moments that weren't planned in advance.
I believe that being relaxed, open-minded, and connected to your body allows for much more authentic expression.
9. Social media has completely changed the modeling industry. Do you see it as an opportunity, a challenge, or a little bit of both?
Definitely both!
Social media has created opportunities that simply didn't exist before.
As a freelance model, I can connect directly with photographers, clients, collectors, and supporters from all over the world without relying on an agency.
It has also allowed me to build my own business, promote my photography books and calendars, and develop a community around my artistic work.
However, there are challenges too.
Algorithms constantly change, platforms can restrict artistic content, and accounts can disappear overnight. This is particularly frustrating for fine-art nude models because artistic photography is often treated the same way as explicit content.
I've experienced these difficulties personally, which has reinforced the importance of not depending entirely on social media.
Today, I focus on building direct connections with my audience through my website, email community, Patreon, and other platforms.
Social media is a valuable tool, but it shouldn't be the foundation of your entire business.
10. Have you ever considered expanding your career into acting, television, presenting, or other areas of entertainment?
Having spent so many years performing on stage, I've already experienced different areas of entertainment, from classical ballet to contemporary circus and acrobatics.
I've also performed on television many times throughout my career as a professional acrobat, so that side of the entertainment industry is something I'm already familiar with.
Acting, however, has never been something that particularly interests me.
Today, I'm much more interested in expanding my work through education and entrepreneurship.
One of my projects is Art Model Academy, an educational platform I'm developing to help aspiring and professional models build successful freelance careers.
After years of working internationally, I've gained a lot of practical knowledge about posing, finding clients, negotiating rates, traveling for work, and managing a modeling business.
I'd love to share that experience with others.
I'm also enjoying opportunities to participate in podcasts and interviews because they allow me to connect with people in a different way and discuss subjects that go beyond photography.
11. If you could travel back to the beginning of your career, what advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to change direction.
When I was younger, I followed a very structured path through classical ballet. Later, I moved into acrobatics and circus, and eventually into photography.
None of these transitions were necessarily part of a long-term plan.
But looking back, each experience gave me skills and opportunities that helped shape the next chapter of my life.
I would also tell my younger self to recognize her value, establish clear professional boundaries, and not be afraid to say no.
And perhaps most importantly, to understand that success doesn't have to follow a straight line.
Sometimes the most rewarding opportunities come from being open to change and following your intuition.
12. What is one misconception people often have about being a professional model that you would like to change?
That modeling is simply about looking beautiful in front of a camera.
People see the final photographs, but they rarely see everything that happens behind the scenes.
A professional model needs creativity, discipline, physical awareness, communication skills, and a strong work ethic.
When you're freelance, you're also running a business.
You need to find clients, negotiate contracts, manage finances, organize international travel, promote your work, and maintain relationships with photographers.
And the actual photoshoots can be physically challenging. Holding uncomfortable poses, working in cold temperatures, or spending hours concentrating on body positioning requires considerable endurance.
It's a profession that demands much more than physical appearance.
13. What are your biggest dreams and goals for the next few years, both professionally and personally?
Professionally, my biggest goal is to continue developing my artistic work while creating a more sustainable balance in my life.
I've spent many years traveling extensively for performances and photoshoots, and although I still love modeling, I'm also looking toward new opportunities.
One of my main priorities is developing Art Model Academy and sharing my experience with other models who want to build independent careers.
I also want to continue producing photography books, calendars, and fine-art projects that bring together the work of talented photographers from around the world.
Personally, health and freedom are becoming increasingly important to me.
I want to stay active, continue practicing yoga, travel to inspiring places, and have more time for the people and experiences that matter to me.
My goal isn't necessarily to work more. It's to create a lifestyle where I can continue doing what I love while having more freedom over my time.
14. Finally, what would you like to say to the people who follow your journey and support you? And where can they follow your upcoming projects?
First of all, I want to say a huge thank you!
Being an independent artist and model wouldn't be possible without the photographers who collaborate with me and the people who appreciate and support my work.
Whether you've followed me for years, purchased one of my books or calendars, supported me on Patreon, or simply taken the time to appreciate my photographs, it means a lot to me.
Your support allows me to continue creating, collaborating with artists around the world, and bringing new projects to life.
I'm excited about what the future holds, both for my artistic work and for Art Model Academy.
Website: https://laetitiamodel.com/
Patreon: https://laetitiamodel.vip/
All my links: https://hoo.be/laetitiamodel
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