Model and Photographer: Dorian Reeves

Local Model & Photographer

Cover Photography by Dorian Reeves | Talent: Emma Jardine from Mode Models | MUA: Ashley Hoang | Hair: Edmund Mercredi | Styling: Caitlyn, Lawless Vintage

High end modeling, as advertised and portrayed in media, is seen as this unattainable fantasy where the most elite of the field are perpetually runway ready. My recent conversation with local turned international model Dorian Reeves showed me a side of models and modelling that I don’t think I would ever have experienced elsewhere: the human side. As we talked for an hour, sharing stories and movie recommendations, that distant and surreal image of models dissipated, feeling like any casual conversation with a friend. 

Growing up in Medicine Hat, modeling was not on the mind of young Dorian Reeves until the feeble age of 12. Upon meeting a girl who modeled for Hollister, his perspective changed and he became enthralled by the career. After having moved to Edmonton four years later, he signed with Mode Models and began a new and exciting chapter of his life.

With the job came traveling, one of his greatest inspirations. Soon after initiating his career, Dorian got opportunities to go to Los Angeles and New York, quickly expanding his horizons and experiencing the depth of the modeling world. Dorian remained motivated, channeling all this energy in working out and establishing himself in a way to prove to himself that he was capable of achieving the most by doing something truly important. His focus and drive, though requiring a lot of his vigour, opened such opportunities for him that one could only imagine. 

Photography by Dorian Reeves | Talent: Sarah Abt from Mode Models | MUA: Denee Noel | Hair: Edmund Mercredi | Styling: Alyssa Habchi

While photoshoots hold a day’s worth of great enjoyment, Dorian emphasized the excitement taking place behind the scenes on set. As a timid man by nature, he initially entered shoots with a book in his hand, anticipating most of the time to go by in silence. He quickly realized the amicable nature of those around him, making new friends and memorable moments, for the short time they were together.

“Single serving friends, you know, like in fight club.” 

His fond experiences meeting new people on sets defied the stereotype of models habitually being rude and conceited. Dorian expresses that some of the kindest people he has ever met were those he encountered at shoots, oftentimes sharing the scene with them. In order to achieve the most and succeed for years to come in the industry, he stresses that the friendliest ones go the farthest, despite however, typically being treated as if they are inconsiderate and cold.  

“Your job, as a model, is to convince people they should work with you, so you have to be nice.” 

While many of us discovered new hobbies at the start of the pandemic, Dorian got a steady handle on his new interest at the beginning of 2020. After hours admiring the work of classic 80’s and 90’s photographers, like Steven Klein and Richard Avedon, Dorian picked up a camera of his own and began exploring the world from the other side of the lens. His first interaction with a camera resulted in a series of exquisite photos of a local social media model later used by the model’s agent. 

Photography by Dorian Reeves | Talent from left to right: Emma Jardine (Mode Models), Ana Rose (Mode Models) and Ry August | MUA: Denee Noel | Hair: Edmund Mercrerdi | Styling: Caitlyn, Lawless Vintage & Rylea Coyote

Motivated by the success in his newfound passion, Dorian booked as many shoots as he could under the restrictions of the novel pandemic. Fascinated by the freedom and control he had in editing photos, the variety of colours which can alter the mood and message of an image and cropping to draw your eyes to the key points, Dorian accentuated his time in editing his photos which were all truly inspired by and often recreations of some of his favorite shots from the 90’s and early 2000’s. 

“Anyone can take pictures, but it’s the pictures that the photographers use that differentiate the good from the great.”  

While modeling, to the common eye, may seem to be a relatively similar career in all its aspects around the globe, let alone in the same country, Dorian delves into the issues he encountered in having experiences in an industry which contradicted the norms of another. As he modeled in LA in his late teens, he came across some issues when attempting to expand his career to New York, as his image modeling swimwear did not match the rather refined modeling scene in the Big Apple. 

However, when he finally got his break and stepped foot in New York, he instantly noticed a change of pace in the way the industry worked. 

Steadily growing and building a name for himself, Dorian got multiple, fortunate chances to work with an array of models he had looked up to at the onset of his career. Chad White, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Francisco Lachowski, to name a few, were some of the renowned models Dorian had the chance to share a spotlight with, clearly illustrating the depth of his accomplishments on his astounding journey in the industry.  

Photography by Dorian Reeves | Talent: Cecilia Hughes from Mode Models | MUA: Denee Noel | Hair: Edmund Mercredi

With having experienced such amazing opportunities and encountered many celebrated models, it is hard for Dorian to narrow down a specific moment in his modeling career which he would label as his favorite. One which stood out the most in all his memories was his 2013 cover shoot for Vogue Italia, shot in New York. From getting fitted for Versace and Gucci at Karl Templer’s studio to meeting Steven Meisel and Pat McGrath, the experience felt surreal. A key moment from the day, he recalls, is when the music was turned off to focus on a thunderstorm outside, the sound of the rain pelting the rooftop echoing inside the venue, evoking the intensity and fierceness seen in the photos on the cover of the magazine. With his nerves tying his insides in a knot, he recalls slowly decompressing as the day progressed, ending so regularly with a trip to Starbucks, it was as if such a momentous occasion didn’t take place. 

As for his most memorable moment as a photographer, Dorian remembers one of his first shoots, at a junkyard. While most resources, like lighting, were not in his favor at the time of the shoot, the images become the ones that put Dorian on the map as a budding photographer with great potential for the future. Upon sending the images to an international magazine, he utilized his love for editing to give the photos a more intense, risqué and editorial look, highlighting a blue tint and moodier feel. The photos were soon published, and pride swelled in Dorian as his work and his name as a photographer set him on a new journey. 

“Don’t wait to be scouted, or for the photographers to pick you, you have to make it happen for yourself – persistence.”

As his career has thrived extensively over the years, Dorian states that in order to achieve that level of success and those opportunities, you have to go to the big cities, such as New York or Los Angeles. Whether as a model or a photographer, those cities provide striving artists with the ample resources to make their break into the rather mainstream and recognized areas of the industry. Every job has its shortcomings, but one of the greatest challenges impacting the growth of Dorian’s career was his base in Edmonton. Though initially dipping into his pocket to pursue opportunities in places like New York and Los Angeles, the new and rich experiences on these unique sets certainly balanced the costs.

Photography by Dorian Reeves | Emma Jardine from Model Models | MUA: Ashley Hoang | Hair: Ashley Hoang | Styling: Caitlyn, Lawless Vintage & Rylea Coyote

As he recounts his successes so far, Dorian’s advice to future models from Edmonton and beyond who are waiting for a big moment to launch their careers, is simple -  “don’t take ‘no’ as an answer”. There is no ‘right’ way to do things, and sometimes you must take the path less traveled to accomplish what you know you deserve. 

Going forward, as he continues to engage in modeling and photography, appearing in the latest campaign for Mark’s Work Warehouse, Dorian strives to build his portfolio in other fields as well, scaling his business taking corporate headshots, getting his mortgage broker license and starting an event planning business with friends. As he sets his mind on his goals and works hard in attaining all he can, Dorian exudes the qualities of a self-made, accomplished professional, ready to take on any challenge set forth.