April Friel - Perth Model
Welcome to Baddass Kulture Magazine, so tell us a bit about yourself for those that doesn’t know you?
I guess you can say I’m a gamer/nerd girl who also loves doing all types of fun activities. In my spare time I absolutely love doing Escape Room. Mysteries and puzzles are my thing.
What made you want to become a model, when did you start and how did you get into it?
I started doing modelling around 17/18 years old. I had a photographer approached me one day and said I had a unique look and if I’ve ever done modelling, so I gave it ago and loved it ever since
Describe to us what your first photo shoot was like and how you have grown from it
My first photoshoot was a boudoir. Honestly I learned so much like positions and poses. Doing that shoot gave me confidence in myself and it made me grow so much that I didn’t wanna stop modelling.
What is the craziest thing that has happened to you while on set of a photo shoot?
I Honestly I haven’t had any craziest thing happened to me while on set of a photoshoot. Every shoot has been professional and enjoyable.
Cosplay is the theme, who would you want to become and why. If you also had one super power to add, what would it be and what would you do with it?
I love Batman but as a female I would be Harley Quinn. I guess you can say I’m a bit of both characters. Just like Batman I like to try help everyone in need the best way that I can, as for Harley Quinn I can be the devil at times but loyal to the person I love. If I had 1 special power it would be to teleport everywhere, so I can be at many places to help people in need or be there for people when they need me.
What have some of your biggist hurdles been to get yourself where you are in your career and what has been your biggest achievement?
Two of my biggest hurdles I’ve gone through to get to where I am in my careers were
1- As a freelance model I set myself boundaries of what kind of shoots I do and don’t do. I have met many photographers who tend to try persuade me or pressure me to do certain shoots that I don’t do. I have a standard of how I work and what I do, I don’t care if they don’t like it I won’t change.
2- As a female I got into a very male dominated industry of mining where sometimes I don’t get treated equally or get treated differently being a woman. I’m not a quitter and I’m a fighter so I’ll push until I get into a place where everything in equal and fair.
Let us look at your tattoos, when did you get your first tattoo, describe it and have you added anything to the tattoo?
I got my first tattoo when I was 22 years old. I got a rose with some tribal lines coming off it on my lower back. 2019 I recently had that tattoo join with both my bum cheeks tattoo to incorporate as 1.
Let’s go into your tattoos in more detail starting with the wings on your back. What do they represent to you and how many sessions did it take to complete?
The tattoo on my back is a Angel wing and Devil wing on my back. That was a 2 day tattoo session. This tattoo represents my sister (Angel wing) who had unfortunately passed away and she will forever be with me. As for me (Devil wing) it represents my demons and struggles that I’ve had/have to go through in life. It is also a reminder that everything I’ve been through I still keep pushing through and to always be strong.
In between the wings is a weird symbol what is it and does it have any meaning?
It is a tattoo of a Celtic cross which means seek to invoke protection, strength and guidance in their spiritual journey.
Tattoos are a work of art so tell us about your favourite tattoo And what inspired you to get the tattoo?
My favourite tattoo would have to be the Angel and Devil wings on my back. What inspired me to get that is wanting something so meaningful but also to have a loved one tattooed on me.
What is the most painful tattoo you have had done, please describe the tattoo and its meaning. How many sessions did it take to complete?
My most painful tattoo would be my neck tattoo that took 4 sessions. It is a gothic script that says Queen. In my eyes every woman should see themselves as a queen and find something who will treat them like that nothing less.
Featured in Baddass Kulture Mag Issue #4 Sept 2024