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As a girl, Natalia Elenkina could only flick through the pages of borrowed magazines to look at the pictures – and dream. She dreamt of wearing the latest fashions, championing designers, and walking in New York fashion week. As a ten-year-old Russian girl, those dreams seemed far out of reach.
Growing up, Natalia was just a normal girl. Family members would comment on her beauty, but she thought nothing of it. After all, everyone thinks their kids are the most beautiful… right? It was not until Natalia Elenkina became a teenager that she began to realize her looks might set her apart from others. Even then, Natalia says she was a little embarrassed by all the attention.
“I would be out at the shops with friends or walking home from school, and men would come up to talk to us. I did not think it was different until my friends said they didn’t want me to come out one day because they didn’t want the attention. Then it hit me like… oh no! It’s not something to be proud of; it’s something to be ashamed of.”
A Change in Circumstances
Although her family was neither exceptionally rich nor poor, Natalia managed to change things for all of them forever – just by posting a few Instagram stories. She made an account because that’s what her friends were doing, and she has never looked back. After going from strength to strength with every new picture added, Natalia Elenkina was slowly and steadily making a name for herself… but not on Instagram, in the modeling world.
While her Instagram account blew up, brands came next. They wanted her to use this perfume or lipstick to connect her popularity with their name. Once the brands came, it was only a matter of time before Elenkina was asked to walk in shows. Next came the permanent personal photographer, the Instagram stardom, and the life of luxury she had only ever dreamed of as a child.
Natalia Elenkina attributes this success to social media. Admittedly, she was scouted by talent seekers, and her account has been used to sell all manner of feminine products, but none of it could have happened if she hadn’t turned on Instagram. If she hadn’t posted regularly, worked to find the best angles and shots, and upgraded her camera equipment to keep up with the changing trends in fashion, she wouldn’t be where she is today.
Natalia Elenkina’s Advice for Young Models
So, what does Elenkina advise those up-and-comers that are following in her footsteps? She always tells people to stick at it, keep working, and never give up. The only difference between a successful social media account and a useless one is consistency. Your fans expect certain things of you. Be sure to live up to the expectation.
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This content is sponsored by Jim Bevin.
Photo provided by Jim Bevin.
