Today we’d like to introduce you to Misha Pahl.
Hi Misha , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I remember being a teenager and asking my mom about going to castings or checking out modeling agencies and she was not about it! I tried attending auditions or castings anyway a few times and stated I was 18 but I never got away with it. One day, I found myself at the end of my twenties and realized that I never really gave anything a real chance in life unless it was for survival. I never took a risk and gambled on failure, and it made me feel like I would always be afraid. I didn’t want that for myself. So I decided to schedule my very first shoot! Since then, a lot has happened with growing into who I am today. I had to really think about what kind of model I wanted to be, and not categorically speaking (ie: runway, commercial, etc) but more as how I am perceived. How do I want others to feel when they work with me? How do i want them to remember me? It’s been a wild 6 years but I feel like I understand myself on a level that I never did before – and that is easily one of the top rewards of all of this. Back then, I could never start a conversation with someone I didn’t already know. Now, I am speaking face to face with people I’ve never met all the time. And it feels great when you can see yourself doing things so easily that you couldn’t before!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course everything has its boon and bane. There were definitely struggles with this whole journey. I think the first half of this I didn’t realize how much of this is mental. I would say most of the time when I thought I was struggling it was really just me getting in my own way. When I wasn’t casted or chosen for a project, I used to take it so personally. I would work hard on walking better, posing better, standing straighter.. and it felt like nothing I did ever gave me the results I would hope for. If you’re only focusing on what’s going wrong, that’s all you’re going to see. The issue is that we don’t have control over a lot of things – next to nothing actually. I found it easier to show up as my best self and with my best attitude when I wasn’t too eager. When you show up people notice. I knew there is a chance I wouldn’t be casted. But also there’s a chance I could. Either way I was going to have a good time and let the producers see that I wanted to be there and was happy to be there. Rejection is a huge part of this and you have to be okay with being told no until you finally hear that one yes you’ve been waiting for. This is not where people will validate you and say you’re doing the right thing and headed in the right direction. This is not an environment that you will receive any confirmation that you’re not completely off center or not. You need to be okay with knowing what you want and also not knowing everything. As much as I have struggled and had to pick myself back up a couple times, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There were so many times I remember being frustrated and had many sleepless nights about this – but I couldn’t walk away. The thought of this never being a part of my life again is something I couldn’t imagine. Tired. Self conscious. Unprepared. No matter what, I showed up anyways. Especially when it felt the hardest, I felt it was all the more important to be brave and show up as best as you can. I’ve always been happy I did afterwards.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fashion model. I’d say I’m known most for runway and edgy, dark photoshoot concepts. On the runway, I have a pretty fast walk naturally and I like to have a little attitude! Bouncy or stompy walks are my specialty! But it also depends on what I’m wearing – sometimes it calls for a completely different walk altogether. Even to this day I get nervous before I walk, and I hope it never goes away! I like being nervous sometimes – it’s exciting to feel something so big. It means it’s important to you. The photoshoots I think stick out to people because I like to be a little unpredictable. Ironic, considering everyone expects the dark concepts most often. But also I like to really take it there, I think about things I’m inspired by and how I’d translate that into a feeling or story. Because I’m usually in charge of my own look and posing I like to really make it something that stands out meaning I don’t want to see photos I’ve already taken before. Keeping my posing fresh and making sure I’m not repeating the same ones too often keep it challenging but fun. I’d say I’m most proud of my work ethic and attitude. I am professional and punctual on set – but we have a good time! I don’t take myself too seriously to where I’m self conscious in front of the camera, so letting the photographer get a few goofy ones is always a great way to leave an impression to others that you really enjoy what you do. Even if you hope to never see those goofy ones again..
I think what sets me apart from others the most is my personality and attitude. I am very easy going and kind, but I’m also sassy and honest. I do believe you can play at work – as long as you’re working more than you play! I also believe that as much as you can be the tallest or prettiest model in the room, people will always remember how you made them feel. I always want people to feel like they genuinely created something with me when we work together.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Typically I use instagram to communicate with other creatives and plan concepts. This is where most of my work is visible and where others know me from. I am always open to anyone reaching out and discussing working together, schedules can be tricky but overall this is my most reliable way to communicate. I don’t love emails but I understand that some would prefer that way – that’s fine with me. I just hate when emails get lost and then I’m just like “oops”. A little goes a long way with support, sometimes getting a compliment on my outfit when I’m out and about lifts me up for the rest of the week! If you have social media, feel free to follow my work and let’s see how this continues! I love offering my support as well and have been considering a few ways that I can do so for the community here in Austin.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misha_pahl
Image Credits
Main image, red bodysuit, and red leather top shot by Kevin Deal @kevindealphoto
Black mesh and yellow dress shot taken by Johnny Duong Visuals @jduongvisuals
Runway photo by Anthony Guajardo @anthonyguajardo
