Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Ismaili.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Liza. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started from when I was a young girl, we use to have a career day at my elementary school and I always chose my career to be a supermodel. I would put on my mom’s heels and strut down this long hallway I had at my parent’s house, I’d play music and walk my walk, talk my talk. I never missed an episode of America’s Next Top Model with Tyra Banks growing up, it was so inspiring I couldn’t wait to grow up and be apart of that show. I signed to my first agency when I was in middle school but it required a lot of traveling and my parents wanted me more focused on school. So, I waited a year after I graduated from high school and started taking pictures again, building my portfolio, making connections. I am at an amazing point right now and just growing better and better to get to where I’d like to be, I just accomplished modeling for my first big brand/company for Nikon! I am so grateful and blessed, watching my dreams become my reality is amazing.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, modeling is very inconsistent. Sometimes, you book many jobs at once, sometimes you don’t have jobs for weeks. I can’t wait to get to the point where I’m always getting to do what I love consistently. Also, one of my struggles is that I’m on the shorter side and can’t do runway like I wish I could. But I’ve had many photographers look past that for my look and accept me the way I am.
My advice would be to just keep going and not give up, it’s really hard sometimes but you just have to keep pushing to get to where you want to be. You are in control of what you do with your life! If you want to, bad enough, you’ll attract it, I promise.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance model in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I model for brands, clothes, skincare products, makeup, etc, I’ve even done hand modeling gigs. I’m proud of all my accomplishments big or small and this is only the beginning I can’t wait to be the face of many things in the future. You have to believe in yourself. I come from a small country in Europe called Albania, being able to make it out to America and accomplish this modeling career is just mind-blowing I would’ve never thought I’d be where I am today. Blessings.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I feel like there are many barriers these days. Especially with how a female “should look”, we have young girls looking up to all this plastic surgery and feeling insecure because they don’t look like how other girls look. STOP comparing yourself with others and focus on how you can become the best version of you. I believe all these girls should accept they’re beautiful the way they are and if you get surgery, that’s fine, that’s your call but it just upsets me how many girls don’t feel beautiful because they don’t have that Instagram famous type look.
As for my industry, my biggest barrier is my height issue, I wish I wasn’t shut out from the industry and opportunities because of my height, I wish my height didn’t play such a big factor in my work.
Contact Info:
- Email: 15lizaismaili@gmail.com
- Instagram: queeenliiza
- Twitter: queenliiza
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaJcdxr7FrOldM1sdZcECKQ
Image Credit:
Photography by @drivenimage, @iamdixiedixon, @nikonusa
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