THE MODEL JOURNAL : FUNSO
Welcome to the ‘The Model Journal’. A platform that reveals what is going on behind the faces at BEC Models. From side hustles and campaigns, to industry knowledge and advice, find out what the day to day life of a model is really like.
This month we speak with Funso, one of our stunning, talented models at BEC models. From getting turned down at the age of 16 for not being ‘the right size’ she then got scouted a few years later, and came to see a shift in the industry. She’s recently launched her own platform Ata Rodo which aims to empower black women and women of colour through organised exhibitions showcasing artistic talents.
1. Hi Funso, How are you? How are you feeling about life lately?
Hi! At the moment I'm good - it is definitely an overwhelming situation for so many of us, but I am continuing to express gratitude about what I am thankful for in spite of this.
2. How did you get into modelling? How old were you and it is something you've always wanted to do?
From age 16/17 onwards, I was often scouted by agencies but I was constantly rejected for not being the "right size" - I am a size 10/12 so I was too small for the curve board and too big for the straight size board. So I left any desire to model and concentrated on university as well as building my confidence in myself. Then in my final year of university, I was scouted by a big agency in the streets of Brighton and invited to their offices in London. Although I didn't get signed, it was definitely the push I needed to start building a portfolio and begin my freelance modelling journey. Times have changed since I was 16 and being an "inbetweeny" model seems to be more the norm. A few months later when I was 22, I landed a pretty big job with Neutrogena off a Facebook group and the ball started rolling from there!
Modelling has never been my dream and it is something I definitely fell into. However, I wouldn't change it for the world!
3. What do you enjoy most about being in front of the camera and working on set?
I love that every job is different: different people, different settings, different themes, different food! I am definitely not suited for a 9-5 sorta life so having the variety is definitely something I appreciate. Nonetheless, it is always lovely when you work with someone you've worked with before as people are generally pretty nice!
4. What advice do you wish you were given when you first started out in the industry?
If you start out freelance like me, do research on fees - buyouts, day rates etc... These are things that agencies typically arrange for you, so if you don't know how they work then you can really undersell yourself. I did a job at the start of my journey for a pretty well known brand off a day rate and definitely learnt my lesson after that!
Also, don't work for free if the shoot is commercial! i.e. if you are explicitly advertising a product or service that will have money made off of it, you should be paid! I also made this mistake once very early on and it was actually my first time being on a poster in a shop so it was a bitter-sweet feeling knowing I didn't get paid for it.
5. I understand that you graduated from University in Anthropology, how was that and did you have a particular focus? What do you hope to use from this?
I loved it! Anthropology definitely has its pros and cons as does every subject but it was generally very interesting. I specialised in social Anthropology, with most of my work being on race, class and gender. This has definitely come in handy with ATA RODO and learning about the gaps in opportunities for women from black/ethnic minority backgrounds is one of the reasons I started it!
6. Congratulations on your new venture with Ata Rodo, please tell me more about it!
ATA RODO is a platform which organises exhibitions/events showcasing the creative talents of black women and women of colour. We create spaces that empower these women by providing an exclusive platform for them to express themselves through the arts.
7. BECS philosophy is to rewrite traditional narrative, we want to represent people with passion, personality and ambitions - how do you want Ata Rodo to be seen and what drove you to make the decision to launch?
In London, female artists only make up approximately 32% of all art in commercial galleries - the statistic is ridiculously small for black women and women of colour! ATA RODO aims to directly address the inequality and misrepresentation of women of colour in this industry - we give women of colour a platform to share their work, empowering them to break through potential barriers into the creative industry. Societies flourish when all voices are heard and our work has the power to cultivate discussion, challenge stigmas, and shape new ways of thinking. However, the first step is getting that work out there!
8. Where will your next exhibition be and what is next for Ata Rodo?
The next event is in collaboration with Janet's List - ATA RODO will be displaying artwork by black women and women of colour artists in the Janet's List concept store at Somerset House. I hope to keep putting on more exhibitions and make the process of showcasing art more and more accessible for women from these backgrounds.
9. I would love to know how you got into portrait photography, what/who inspires you? Were you self taught?
Without sounding cliché, I got my first DSLR camera when I was 15 and have been shooting ever since. It wasn't until I got to university and was involved with the photography society that I learnt photography was much more than just pointing and shooting on automatic settings! It was there where I also learnt how much I love to take photos of people and faces which led me to specialise in portraits. In terms of inspiration, I take it from everywhere in more abstract ways. There isn't one particular person I can think of but rather I take inspiration from the person I am shooting and work with the "colours" of their personality.
10. What is on the horizon for you and what are you most excited about for 2021?
I'm really excited to put more effort into organising ATA RODO events! As much as I love modelling and the opportunities it has given me and the people I have met on the way, curating art is definitely my main passion.
Find Out more:
https://becmodels.com/funso-portfolio
https://www.instagram.com/atarodolondon/
