Essy West

I'd have to say my favorite lingerie has got to be black lace. You can see in my shoots that it's what I normally wear. I love the way my red hair pops against the black!

Growing up, I was interested in teaching. I loved school and education, so naturally I wanted to spread this love of knowledge to the newer generation. I loved playing soccer and gymnastics too!

I went to a college prep high school. We were offered amazing classes to take, and that really drove my creativism! I was able to take art classes that inspired my painting. I currently still paint, including canvases and multiple murals in my friends' houses. Painting is a way to express the emotions that I feel, and a way to simultaneously provide happiness. When I went to college I studied psychology. I love studying the brain and individual characteristics that make up a human. Actually, I'm quite a nerd and neuroscience was my favorite class!

When I was young, I danced a lot in competitions (but was rather clumsy). So I told my mom at the age of 2 that I really wanted to be a model. Without any knowledge of how to achieve that aspiration, my mom put me in pageants. That really triggered my love of modeling print shoots. After that, I modeled for a bit in middle school. However, I really jumped into modeling in college when one of my friends became a photographer. I loved being in front of the camera, and after that, never stopped!

I prefer artistic photography. Whether clothed or nude, I love artistic poses and lighting. Dark lighting with yoga poses is by far my favorite atmosphere!

The most exotic photo session I've done so far has got to be a milk bath! I love doing these by the way. They're so fun and comfortable. But it's definitely exotic for me because I don't drink milk, so I've never actually put it on my body before!

I walk to work everyday and make sure to work out my body with weights! I used to be obsessed with staying thin and keeping up my cardio, but recently I've become more about weight lifting! I love to weight lift because I was born with natural curves, and I love to keep my curves fit for shoots so that they can be accentuated.

I love boudoir photoshoots! At most shoots, I ask to do some form of lingerie to keep building my portfolio for it. For a long time I was scared to show off my body in that way, and was afraid that it would look bad. But recently I've been obsessed with it, especially with the women's empowerment movement that's currently happening! I'd have to say my favorite lingerie has got to be black lace. You can see in my shoots that it's what I normally wear. I love the way my red hair pops against the black!

Oh I love bouncing ideas back and forth with photographers! Of course I always ask the theme and style beforehand, but while shooting I think it's super fun to give ideas to see how the photographers will shoot it. I've given many ideas to photographers, and because I feel a part of the creation, they've been some of my favorite!

My ordinary day look is usually curled hair, yoga pants and a cute top! I love to be comfy but still look nice!

I have so many favorite artists. One of my all time favorites is Andy Grammer. His music is so uplifting and soulful.

I love modeling, but I also have interests in music and environmentalism. I love to sing, and am even going on a trip to Africa this summer for a music therapy program! Environmentalism is more of a personal attachment to the earth and how I love to be environmentally friendly.