Interviews  / Stories

Interview: Model Michaela Backlund (Sweden)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I'm a 29 year old "crazy" girl from Östersund in northern Sweden. My philosophy in life is that nothing is impossible and that you should try new things that pop up in your life. I study hard to take my degree of master of science in dental surgery in June 2017 after five years of studying. I love to be out in the nature. I enjoy mountain hiking or I just put on my running shoes and go for a long run. I live in Stockholm and I like to try new restaurants and delicious food when I have the opportunity.

 

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

When I was younger I really wanted to change the fact that I have a birthmark close to my left armpit. Now I don’t want to change anything at all. All the things that I have hated are the things that make me the person I am.

 

How did you start modeling?

2006 a photographer from my city contacted me and asked if I wanted to help him try new lightning. After that more photographers started to reach out and now I have done this for 10 years.

 

What do you think of the work as a model?

I really like to stand in front of the camera, searching for just that pose with those good angles that makes the photo feel like magic. Also, it's amazing how many new and wonderful friends I have gotten to know over the years, so many fantastic and creative people. To have this beside my studies makes me feel blessed.

 

What is your beauty regimen?

I have one rule, and that’s that I won't go to bed with any mascara on. This is because I really don’t want to destroy my lashes. I also try not to use too much heat on my hair, it's fragile as it is with all my curls.

 

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?

I´m very easygoing and I don’t have any problem getting to know new people. I also think it's good to have fun under the shoot, so I like to put myself out of my comfort zone. I also have many faces.

 

What are your plans for the future?

Modelling has been some sort of hobby/extra work mostly but I think it´s really fun. Now when I have a new agency I can see my self taking on more work and travel more. But I´m also interested to start standing behind the camera myself. I tried it last summer with a friend and got good feedback. So we will see what happens in the future.

 

What are some of your favorite experiences so far?

So hard to just pick one, and it's not really a favourite but I can laugh at it now. But it has to be some years back when I was shooting in a pool and the flash blew down into the pool. I saw it all in slow motion and all I could think about was that I had to get up from the water before I got toasted. Everything ended well because the flash got the electricity from a battery.

 

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modeling?

Always do a background check of the photographer. What has he/she done before? Never go to a shoot by yourself, you do not know the person! Don’t do things that make you uncomfortable and remember that the photos can travel the web, so before the shoot, go through what type of work and feeling you are creating. Can YOU stand for them? Write a contract. If all this is good to go, don’t remember to have fun!

 

What do you think of the magazine?

I think it's amazing. To see so many creative people around the world and be inspired is so fun. And maybe find some new people to work with. But it would be fun to see some more makeupartists too.

 

Website, mibamodell.se

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