Meet Avery Hand of Mantua

Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Hand.

Hi, Avery. We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Avery Hand, and I started doing photoshoots in 2019 with a small photographer. I have always loved taking photos and modeling when I was young but never pursued anything professionally. As the years went on, I started getting recognized by other artists and photographers and doing photoshoots more often. I joined a rep team with a few other girls in 2022, with a fantastic photographer named Aisley Herndon in 2022. She has made me more confident in my skills, and I have met some tremendous women I call my friends while working with her. I recently was at a fashion show that my best friend Stella put on at Lost Social Club in Cleveland, Ohio. This fashion show was unlike any other that I have been in. I work full-time at a car dealership and have been in the car industry for over 6 years. I still make time to do fashion shows and photoshoots locally while working full-time to provide for myself and my husband. I got married on September 23rd, 2023, to a fantastic guy I have been with for 7 years. My husband and his family are very into motocross (dirtbike racing), and it has been their whole lives. I have become very fond of the sport and enjoy attending races with my family and friends. I am very passionate about modeling and would love to take things further with my career. However, I want to start a family in the future, and that is what is most important to me. I love meeting new people and making new friends in this industry because that’s what it’s all about!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it has been a pretty smooth road! I have been through some ups and downs, but who hasn’t? If it were easy, everyone would do it! Modeling is sometimes mentally and physically exhausting, especially in today’s world. You have to live up to the beauty standards of “Am I skinny enough,” “Am I tall enough?”, “What will people think of me?” and so on. As I get older, my body changes, and I don’t have my 19-year-old body anymore, which is hard for other women to understand sometimes because they want that “model body.” Working with other models in the industry, you realize that everyone’s body is different, and you should never compare yourself to anyone because you are beautiful in your way, which makes you unique! That being said, it is the biggest struggle.

Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work for a truck dealership in Cleveland, Ohio, called Valley Ford Truck. I am a sales coordinator, but I used to sell cars for a few years and realized that I didn’t like selling cars. I went to college for criminology and forensic anthropology with a minor in phycology, but I only perused something in that career. I would have liked to do something in my major, but things didn’t work out as I wanted them to. I would love to return to school to be an esthetician and help others feel beautiful about their skin from within! I am known for my hard work, dedication, and helping others when needed. I am most proud of the confidence I have grown over the years and getting married to the love of my life. My loyalty and how I will drop anything to be there for my friends and family in need sets me apart from others.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
It’s all about the people you know! Over the years, I have met and networked a lot in my career just by meeting new people and saying yes to things I may have needed to be more comfortable with. Meeting new people is the best way of networking and getting yourself out there! Social media is also a great way to network and has worked well for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @avery_joy_hand

Image Credits
Photographer: Aisley Herndon