Jason Harris
Charley Aitchison originally grew up in Sydney but moved to Melbourne for three years to complete a university degree in Neuroscience. She started modeling in Melbourne back in 2018 while still at university and currently balances modeling with a job in UX design, designing the interface for aerial technology software. She loves staying active in her spare time, whether strength training, running, hiking, ocean swimming, or Krav Maga.
We recently caught up with Charley, and here’s what went down:
How did you get into the modelling industry?
A designer dress hire company’s owner noticed me at a Melbourne nightclub and eventually asked me to shoot with them. After posting some of my shots with them online, I got my first campaign job through Instagram, and from that shoot, an agency approached me.
What do you like most about being a model?
It’s never boring! You get to work at so many different locations, be styled in different ways, and experience all the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes. You get to meet a diverse range of people, too!
Downside to being a model?
It’s very competitive, and you have to get used to spending a lot of time attending/submitting auditions and not getting the job.
What has been the most memorable experience of being in the modelling industry so far?
We nearly burned a bar down when we had stunt fire gel on set!
Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?
I love meeting all the different people who work behind the scenes for TVCs. I did a car commercial recently and got to work alongside a stunt driver who directed the stunts for some well-known movies while also creating his own camera technology.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the modelling industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.
Not to take things personally and to have a strong sense of self. You have to deal with a lot of rejection and accept that your look may not be suitable for every job.
Is your family supportive of you being a model?
Yes, they are. My mum is my biggest fan.
If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?
Put myself out there more and actively seek out test shoots – the more experience you can get, the better. You learn something new each time while building out your portfolio.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Always live by your values and use them to guide your decisions.
What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.
Hoping to live overseas at some point, ideally somewhere in Europe, either London or somewhere in France or Spain.
Jason Harris
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