Ylva
… is a 28 y/o American model based in New York. We talked about art, inspiring personalities and why she recently switched from a nude model to the real estate industry.
Ylva, could you tell a bit about yourself?
I have always been involved in some medium of art - photography (large format to digital), music (cello and piano), writing (non-fiction and prose). I worked for ten years as a model for artists (from age 18-28) mainly so I could travel the world meeting and collaborating with other artists. It just happened I could make money at it as well, which allowed it to be a sustainable part-time job. I now work in NYC real estate and am mostly retired as a model except for when it comes to collaborating with my artist friends. However, I met my husband through modeling for him, so that community is still very much a part of my life.
How would you describe yourself in one or two words?
Intense and focused.
Could you tell some photographers you worked with?
The highlights are Gilles Berquet & Mirka Lugosi, Nikola Tamindzic, Ryan Michael Kelly, Todd Hido, Ed Ross, Jock Sturges, Daniel Murtagh, Christopher Morris, the painter Masami Teraoki, and most importantly, my husband Aaron Hawks.
Ylva, you worked internationally. Which countries impressed you (and why). Which places do you favor most?
Every country impresses me. I love to travel and will go anywhere. I don’t believe in “bad trips” because everything is an experience. However, I always love traveling and working in France, Belgium, and Italy.
Where have you never been but want to go?
Japan is at the top of my list.
Was model your first job or did you have an other job before?
It was my first major job.
Did you do something creative before starting modeling?
Photography, music, and writing. I also grew up in a creative family - my father was a model-maker for sci-fi films in the 70s up until CGI dominated. He worked on the original Star Wars, Star Trek, Ghostbusters, etc.
What type of style of modeling you did / do?
I used to do a lot of classic fine art nudes. That gradually transitioned into alternative fashion/art photography (I was the person fashion photographers would shoot for their personal projects). Towards the end I start doing a lot more “fetish” inspired work, but really it’s just more “erotic” in feel with a darker edge. I mainly stick to that type of work when I model now.
What inspired you to become a model?
Kiki de Montparnasse, Lee Miller, Jeanne Hebuterne, Elizabeth Siddal.
Please tell me about your first steps as a model.
I started working for photography workshops in my hometown of Santa Barbara. I didn’t take it too seriously but the person that would hire me told me I should continue. I moved to Portland, Oregon after that and started working with local photographers and painters to explore the community while I looked for a “real job”. I ended up making more money modeling than my “real job” and began doing it full-time.
You are very self confident. Was that always the case or did you develop self confidence because of posing nude?
I have always been self-confident naked. I am simply comfortable with my body and expressing myself in that medium. I have my insecurities just like everyone else though when it comes to the daily realities of life.
You studied also art history. Are you inspired by artists / stylistic eras in your modelling or photography?
I’m not a professional historian but I do study history (and art history) and have for many years. It was a major in university. I am inspired by many, many styles of artists and eras. Surrealism and Dadaism are big ones though. In general I’m drawn to the avant-garde and counterculture movements.
Which models / photographers currently inspire you?
There’s a lot of great models out there I appreciate but because I don’t model much anymore I can’t say they directly inspire me. I currently have an obsession with the photographer Weegee, and I’m always very inspired by what Gilles Berquet and Mirka Lugosi are doing. Honestly though, my husband really inspires me on a daily basis. His catalogue of work is exceptional and he one of the most spontaneously, authentically creative people I know.
What differentiates a good from a not so good photographer from a models perspective? / What is the photographers behaviour you would like to receive always in shootings?
Originality, visual intelligence, and a healthy grasp of aesthetics is what makes a photographer good, in my opinion. I don’t care how the photographer behaves as long as he doesn’t touch without my permission. That being said, if the photographer is blatantly narcissistic I can get combative.
How do you handle different photographers and their mentalities? Is that a challenge or do you enjoy it?
I just treat everyone according to the personality they project and don’t take much at all personally. It’s not really a challenge unless the photographer is just a dick or clearly very stupid.
How do you prepare for a shooting?
I always take good care of myself everyday so I don’t have to do anything different before a shoot.
You mentioned that you mostly retired as a model and are shooting only occasionally with a few artist friends. What was the reason?
I retired mainly because it is increasingly difficult to find paying work as an artists’ model. The community I worked within kind of fell apart and many artists I knew also became disillusioned or stuck within their style without any signs of growth. I used to be able to make money working for decent humans, but now the only people regularly offering to pay want to shoot erotic video or explicit images (and their work is awful). I don’t do that type of work. Also, I just grew up and found other things to challenge me. I live in a very competitive and expensive city (NYC) and I couldn’t linger on romantic memories of how things used to be anymore.
How important was social media for your success / or inspiration? Which media do you use?
It isn’t anymore. I actually think social media has destroyed the purity, rawness, and fun of photography. I have an instagram account for occasional networking, but mainly I just keep it alive to keep myself on the map virtually.
Social media is sometimes very prude. How accepted is nude art in New York in general?
I actually think this is the most conservative generation we’ve had in many, many generations. Censorship is accepted and even encouraged by both conservatives as well as “liberals” which is terrifying. A distinguishable counterculture does not exist because everything has become stylized and sanitized, a means to sell yourself and your “personality” on the internet. The fear of nudity just goes along with our nation-wide fear of sex and honesty.
Do you understand or accept prudery, eg in social media, relegion and society?
Never.
Ylva, Thank you for the interview.
All images: Thomas Berlin 2018