Real Life Bites: Model Sheerah Ravindren on the Commutes and Creativity Behind the Glam

Words & Images: Sheerah Ravindren

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If nothing’s going on, my mornings can feel a bit samey – I wake up, brush teeth, shower, moisturise, the usual! But on a shoot day like this one, I usually like to get dressed in something casual, comfy and easy to get in and out of, since I’ll be doing that all day.

I like to make sure I’m comfy for travelling around, for the journey to the shoot and back home. There can be loads of back and forth, and while I absolutely love modelling, it can be really tiring in lots of hidden ways like that. 

I listen to music while I’m getting ready in the mornings, and it sets me up for the day. Music is such an integral part of who I am and it really impacts my style, vibe, mood… everything! So it's important for me to listen to something that helps me get confident and ready to take on the set - it really hypes me up. In this Polaroid photo, shot on my Polaroid Now, I was listening to Gimme That Punk by Audiobullies, which I found really energising. 

Commuting is such a huge part of my work routine when it comes to modelling. I don't live in London but I’m often working in the city, so it's usually a lot of trains, which can mean delays - which are, obviously, decidedly unglamorous. On this occasion though, I managed to get a lift in and out of London which was an absolute result – it saved a lot of hassle! Normally though, there are a lot of trains, tubes and taxis taking up the majority of my time.

What you’re seeing here are the typical happenings of a shoot, as well as some in between, random moments I just thought were cute and fun. Hair and makeup, for example, are some of my favourite moments on set, especially when it’s an early start and a late finish. For long days, it's so therapeutic and calming having a professional touch your face and hair – obviously with consent! – I have fallen asleep a few times whilst getting glam done. Absolutely no regrets, it feels amazing. 

I love my colleagues who do hair and makeup. Nothing comes together without everyone on the team. Their roles are just as important as the models and a huge decider in a good, bad or annoying editorial day is the team. I’m really lucky that on so many of my shoots I have had the pleasure and privilege to work and collaborate with incredible and kind creatives, whose efforts have continued to inspire me past the photo shoots themselves. It makes the process so much easier and smoother when the team is just good energy and friendly, because it just feels like making something cool with your mates.

Also, like all industries, the fashion industry is small so having good relations is vital as it's likely you will be working with a lot of people again and again on other shoots. I also have gotten multiple work opportunities from creatives I have met on shoots who have put me forward for other projects because they liked working with me, so having a good relationship with the team is extremely important.

Funnily enough, I'm not really a dog person, but at this shoot, there was a dog! I find it really funny when pets are on set, I don't mind at all. It just adds to the sense of fun, and I just love sets that are chill like that. All the pets I have encountered on any set, including this one, have been super chill.

When I got home from this shoot – via my lift, which I was delighted about – I was working on some moodboards for shoots which is what you can see here. I'm creative directing and thinking to pitch. It was a super long day, and I was exhausted, but I ended it feeling so inspired, and though I was tired, I was happy to put extra effort into my passion project.