Today we’d like to introduce you to Devynne Diaz.
Hi Devynne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a big time rambler so here’s the gist! I started modeling when I was 17 years old after being scouted by a small agency in Arkansas where I grew up. It’s funny because my mom always wanted me to model and I truly didn’t think it was a realistic option for me. She took me to an Elite Model casting call when I was super young. I remember wearing my new glasses (-4.75 prescription, hello!) and thinking what a waste it was – why would they cast this skinny shy kid with glasses and a ‘weird’ name (I also really disliked my name growing up, but now I love it!) All that to say, Elite Models didn’t choose me hahah, but once I started modeling when I was 17-18 years old, I realized how much I loved it, just creating with like minded individuals in the spaces we carved out of nothing. I was always behind the camera in high school, so I had to grow into being in front of it, relaxing and moving and learning myself more. My first shoot was with some friends for a skate brand they created, then shortly after with a boutique store I loved back home, then another shoot where I just learned that it was really about breathing and being in my body. All of these experiences made modeling feel comfortable to me and less about what I thought I looked like, or who I was, etc., it was just about being me and emulating what we were all seeking to create together. Even now, I’m still learning and expanding, ebbing and flowing. I’m so grateful to be able to do that with everyone I work with. I think that’s why I enjoy modeling so much, because this is a space where fluidity and exploration is welcomed and needed versus a sense of rigidity or something like that. It’s a lot more feeling and just being free.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been struggles for me in this space. A lot of my struggles stemmed first from setting modeling as something aside from myself. I would say that allowed me to say ‘Hey, you’re pursuing X career, modeling is just something you do for fun or as a side hustle,’ which is true to an extent. However, I found myself casting modeling aside for a long time while I was in grad school in San Diego. It was somewhat necessary but also I still missed modeling and wanted to pursue it, but never put in any effort to get back into it while I was in school, partly because I felt like I had ‘missed the boat’ on that opportunity/path. Ultimately, that wasn’t true and thankfully, as soon as I finished my program, I was randomly asked to model again with someone whose work I loved and followed online! I felt so excited and nervous to get back into modeling after so much time off, but it re-ignited that fire in me to just have fun with it and enjoy the pursuit of more work and creating with people. Other struggles are just part of being in the industry. If you aren’t signed (and even if you are sometimes), you have to really advocate for yourself, hustle online and offline, submit yourself to castings, network, have awkward conversations about payment sometimes, do unpaid work/collaborations, etc. Out of all of the struggles that are within the industry, I would say my biggest struggle is sometimes just sending little messages to network or having those conversations about work! I get nervous, even though I’m not super shy really! Also, posting on social media sometimes it just feels overwhelming to manage. But with all of this, you just have to bring yourself down to earth and say, ‘I really enjoy this, there are going to be new struggles all of the time, just keep going and learn from it all.’ I’m actively working on my mindset these days, and this applies to all careers/pursuits, it’s all just part of living. Integrating the struggles with acceptance, respecting the shortcomings, celebrating the wins, and moving forward is all we can do!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say I’m just coming to terms with identifying myself as a ‘model’ but I have been modeling for 10+ years now. I’ve done film, commercial, e-commerce, runway, editorial, etc. etc. etc. I love editorial and moody shoots, but I get cast a lot for more lifestyle shoots too, which is hilarious to me as I used to think I was not ‘commercial’ enough for it. Just goes to show, you can do anything! I wouldn’t say I’m ‘known’ for anything, but I have recently worked on some super fun shoots with a clothing brand that I love called LA Relaxed (@larelaxed plugged them in my images!), which I’m happy to say people really resonated with (apparently, I drove a lot of sales, which I never have gotten to receive that kind of feedback from my work!). I would say what sets me apart from others (not that I think I am much different!) could be that when we are working together, I’m actively wanting to help creative direct with you, especially if you’re the photographer. I’m obsessed with lighting and how we can create different moods just based on a different aperture, shutter speed, angle, or pose. If you’re in San Diego/SoCal, you may also recognize me from shoots I’ve done with Ayi (@shop.ayi), Daisy District (@thedaisydistrict), Isa Guadalupe (@isaguadalupe), Fervor (@shopfervor), Mind Garden Vintage (@mindgardenvintage), Muse (@foreverurmuse) Gemma Totten (@gemmatotten), Cecilia Proskauer (@ceciliaproskauer), Yaz Reve (@yazreve), Ariana Velazquez (@ariianapearl), and Luna Treviño (@lunatrevino). I am really proud of the work I’ve done with so many female-owned/operated small brands and businesses. It’s been incredible to get to know these women and see how they have been able to make space for themselves in the industry in different roles (photographers, stylists, designers, make-up artists, etc.) and support each other on and off set, creatively and monetarily, their ideas and work are valued mutually amongst each other.
How do you define success?
I would define success as feeling secure in my decision at any given time and feeling present. I think there’s a lot of back and forth emotionally that comes with making a choice and attaching that with an outcome or goal, which is only natural for us as humans. For the past two years, I’ve had a lot of indecision which has led me to pause more and reflect on my needs and desires and what I want to create for myself and others. Goals are essential for us to keep moving forward but they are just pieces of a puzzle that may never be finished (in my opinion <3) and so that’s allowed me to not measure myself against others so much, rather just measure myself against my own needs/values. This keeps me resilient and affords me a lot of space that I need to iterate while keeping inventory of the wins!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @devynnediaz
Image Credits
Images 1 and 5 by Ariana Velazquez. Image 2 by Cecilia Proskauer. Image 3 and 4 by Taylor Friedman.
