Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Estrada.
Hi Jade, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I initially started off posting pictures of outfits I put together on my Instagram when I was about 19 years old. Eventually, I had student photographers from the area find my account and ask me to help develop their portfolios. Eventually, it snowballed into landing me in an agency, Meshaun Model Management, LLC. It took me a few months to show up because I was so nervous, haha. I am forever grateful for everything they taught me. In fact, they were the main factor behind me developing my confidence behind a camera and how to be a professional. As I grew, I was blessed with opportunities in working with local brands such as Lamesk8 and Bow Inertia.
I became a freelance model after a couple of years due to college and focusing on my primary career in healthcare. Modeling has become my most precious outlet and my favorite way to express myself!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s certainly not a linear road. Early in my modeling career, I’d say my mental health was at its worst. I wish I could begin to explain how hard it was to go outside, to eat, and to get one foot out of bed to name a few things. I was, and I think I still am my biggest hater and critic (though it’s gotten a lot better now, but it’s not completely gone). Sure, some days were better than others. But when it got bad, it was awful.
I force myself to show up because despite everything, this is something I want. I used to bawl my eyes out before fashion shows because of how terrified I was to go out there. What if they hate me? What if I let the designers I am representing down?
Even now at 25, I still get those waves of fearfulness before a shoot or show. I think I’m better at hiding it now. Years of exposure made it easier to push those feelings away to reflect on later. It even took me a while to muster up the courage to answer these questions.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love to model! And not necessarily in the sense of ‘look at me’, it’s moreso about the message behind the photos. I want people to feel things when they see the work that the photographers and I put out there.
I love, love, love concepts that teeter on the controversial side. Concepts that do not conform to the status quo. I love to comfort the disturbed.
I am proud of being able to easily collaborate with like-minded creatives to bring the strangeness to light and making it beautiful (because it is, duh!)
I know that I am a walking embodiment of nervous energy, but what sets me apart is my willingness to do something out of the box! I don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. I want to wow myself, I want to wow the people I’m collaborating with. The crazier the idea, the more I’ll think: ‘Hey, that’s insane and also right up my alley.’
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Just reach out to me on my Instagram! I would also put a disclaimer out there; I do have a full time job outside of modeling. My schedule can be all over the place and I work overnight. Just please be patient with me and I promise we can get together and brainstorm!
You could also reach out to me via email at jadegreenrock2001@gmail.com for any business inquiries! Let’s create deep, creepy, eccentric art!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/x_jaed_x
