Samantha Harris, a 35-year-old model with over two decades in the industry since starting at age 13, shares the less glamorous aspects of her career. Despite her passion for the work, she highlights challenges like early morning call times and extensive travel.
Behind-the-Scenes Struggles
Harris explains the seasonal quirks of fashion shoots. ‘Shooting swimwear in winter because it comes out next season, or shooting winter in summer and you’re bloody hot,’ she says. As a mother of one, she welcomed her first child with husband Luke Hunt last year and describes modeling as a ‘beautiful job’ with hidden demands.
Iconic Encounters and Achievements
Early in her career as a youth ambassador, Harris met Australian supermodel Megan Gale. ‘When I was younger… I remember seeing Megan Gale,’ she recalls. ‘Because she had the dark features and the dark hair, I just remember looking at her thinking, “wow”. And she’s such a beautiful person inside as well, which makes her even more special.’
By age 18, Harris became the second Indigenous model to grace the cover of Vogue. She recently appeared on the catwalk in 2023 and posed for a shoot in an oversized white shirt, grey trousers, emerald green shoes, with long dark hair and gold earrings.
Family Milestones
In May, Harris announced her pregnancy with Luke, her husband of 12 years, sharing an ultrasound photo captioned ‘Life Lately.’
Advocacy for Future Generations
Growing up in Tweed Heads, Harris faced limited support and education for Aboriginal children. ‘When I was growing up, support and education for Aboriginal kids was limited, and for my mother before me it was even more so,’ she states. She commits her time to improving opportunities, and support groups frequently approach her to mentor the next generation of Aboriginal youth.
