Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Imhoof.
Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Starting when I was ten years old, I constantly found myself being one of the tallest people in a room. After being called “skyscraper” when I was young, this trait has finally come to my advantage as a model!
My parents are from Dallas, and I was born here. But we left when I was a baby, and I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania called Selinsgrove. My dad is a European History Professor at a liberal arts university there, and my mom raises money for the university. Education and travel have always been a huge part of my life, thanks to my parents. I have been fortunate to spend time in Europe and realized that I wanted to do something that allowed me to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. My upbringing in a small town, where everybody knows everybody, has also shown me the importance of building relationships. You never know how people can connect you with other people! So, oddly enough, growing up in a small town prepared me well for the fashion industry.
A couple of years ago a family friend – another of those important contacts! – put me in touch with the director of new faces at the time, Ashley Akins, at the Campbell Agency. As soon as I met the people there, I knew they were a perfect fit, and they signed me. I was going to high school in central Pennsylvania but often working in Dallas, so I had to balance schoolwork and other activities while flying to Dallas up to two or three times a month. This balancing act forced me to grow a lot as a young adult and taught me the importance of a strong work ethic. I moved to Dallas recently and now work full-time as a model. Now, more than ever, I realize how important it is to understand people from different backgrounds and cultures and that who you know shapes who you are professionally.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not! The cliché “nothing worth having comes easily” makes a lot of sense to me now. A tremendous opportunity like Campbell offered me prompts many big decisions. For example, playing sports had been an important part of my life since I was six years old. But I decided to stop playing my last two years of high school, to focus on modeling and my grades. Fortunately, living healthy and staying active continue to be passions of mine, and help me perform as a model. I also missed some “normal teenage” activities in high school, like Friday night football games or events at school, because I was traveling or trying to stay up-to-date on my school work. Also, many people think that models live glamourous, easy lives. But in fact, I often have call times at 5:00 or 6:00am and shoot for up to ten or twelve hours a day. I’ve shot winter-wear in the 100-degree Texas heat, had to stand perfectly still for an hour, and been submerged up to my nose in a pond filled with seaweed! Its hard work for everyone involved, and that’s why it’s important to be easy and fun to work with. Honestly, it’s amazing how much a positive personality can make even a difficult a shoot go better.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Professional Fashion Model with The Campbell Agency – what should we know?
I’m a professional fashion model with the nationally known Campbell Talent Agency. My job is to represent the hard work and vision of our clients, especially clothing or beauty companies. I take this work very seriously, because I am just one part of a much larger group. Behind every image you see lies the work of photographers, designers, hair and makeup artists, promoters, caterers, and others, all of whom play just as important a role as the person who happens to end up in the picture. My objective is to bring a photo to life and convey the feeling that the client is wanting. I am proud to be part of a team and believe my ability to understand others quickly and adapt to their plans helps me succeed. Like any professional, I seek out and try to learn from criticism, suggestion, and rejection. As much as my “look,” my odd background – small-town Pennsylvania girl with Texas roots who has lived in other cultures and speaks French – has allowed me to take advantage of opportunities I’ve received.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can’t help but mention another well-worn saying: “it takes a village” to help any single person accomplish things. I realized this fact in a powerful way recently, when we hosted a graduation party that was really about thanking other people for the role they had played in getting me to that cap-and-gown moment. I was able to thank my elementary enrichment teacher for pushing my curiosity, and my high school history teacher for expanding my interest in other cultures. Also there was my high school principal, who helped me make the time in my schedule to pursue schoolwork and modelling. And even if I never swing a field hockey stick or run hurdles again, my past coaches have taught me about personal work and the ability to contribute to a team. My family has been hugely supportive of me in this endeavor, driving hundreds of miles, flying me all over the place, researching Instagram, and encouraging me to follow my dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecampbellagency.com/portfolio/women-mainboard/women/1247733/lauren-imhoof
- Instagram: @laurenimhoof
Image Credit:
Elegant Magazine- Morgan Chidsey, HMU Walter Fuentes, Styling Alexandrea Cohen
Dixie Dixon, Yvonne Coan HMU
Thom Jackson, Ariella Villa, Al Tidwell
Matthew Hillery, Jae Hunter, Calli Martin
Lalo Torres, Irene O Makeup, David Chavez-shot in New York City
Brides of North Texas Magazine- Stephanie Brazzle, Jennifer Trotter HMU
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