
Hand Modeling Photos – 1999
Hand Model Superstar or No?
Ever since I was a child, people have always complimented my hands. It never fails that when I go to a nail salon for a manicure, the technician compliments my hands. I think it is mostly because of my long nail beds. Even if you have short nails, your nails will appear longer if you have long nail beds. For the record, I have never received compliments on my feet from anyone… I am pretty sure my toes are just as long as my fingers.
So, back in 1999, I tried my hand at hand modeling (pun intended). I went to a professional photographer and had my hands photographed and I spent a lot of time researching modeling and talent agencies around the country. After sending out my photos and contact information to about 100 agencies, I did receive some interest.
I decided to focus on the local Atlanta modeling agencies as some agencies out of town were asking that I meet with them at their offices and pay my own travel expenses. Not being in the modeling business before, I didn't know if that was a common practice or a scam. Additionally, I didn’t have the extra cash to spend on these trips which may or may not result in employment, so I declined their offers.

Autumn Murray Hand Modeling Photos
Hand Modeling Jobs
A few Atlanta companies did hire me for jobs. However, my short-lived hand modeling career ended when I was hired to do a diversity photo shoot for a major airline company. I showed up to take the pictures, and once the photography started, some comments were made about my hands not being dark enough. The photoshoot was supposed to focus on the diversity of the employees at the company. There were six models of different racial and ethnic backgrounds hired for the shoot. We were all told to raise one hand up and the photographer arranged our hands together to show the racial/ethnic diversity in the different colors of our hands. The photographer kept asking, where is the African American model? No one answered his question but they all looked at me. He then looked at me and told me my hands were not dark enough. So, they added a dark shade of liquid foundation to my hands. After taking several photos, the photographer still wasn't happy with the color of my hands. So, he asked a Caucasian hand model with a suntan that was there as an extra in case one of us didn't show – to step in for me.
Needless to say, I was embarrassed and humiliated. Nothing in the contract said I was being hired as the African American hand model and I didn't list my race on any of my contact information. I mean, they saw my photos – -couldn't they determine my skin color from them?
Diversity
How can a photoshoot (ultimately an advertisement) promoting diversity exclude an individual for not being black enough? Of all of the things that I could possibly see a Caucasian girl getting before me, I never expected it to be because she was considered “more black” than I am. Oh, the irony.
I stopped hand modeling after that incident. I had a full-time job at the time and it didn't seem worth the hassle of wasting time on rejection. Looking back, I think that I shouldn’t have let that one incident stop me from hand modeling. But, my life didn't suffer as a result of my decision and that is all that counts.
There is still a demand for hand models. And I think I will stick to my own modeling on Simply Amazing Living for now – but who knows what the future holds?
We hope you enjoyed Simply Amazing Living's “Hand Model Superstar or No?” post.
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I am pursuing hand modeling so thank you for the info
It must have been so frustrating for you. But I like how you took everything in stride. Although your hand modeling career did not push through, you found success in something else.
Your hand with jewelry looks you glamorous don’t mind others who discriminate instead prove them the essence of true beauty love hugs sweety!
I think your hands are lovely! I hope you go on to do hand modeling outside of Simply Amazing Living.
I’m surprised to hear your story. Discrimination is really a sad thing. This was such an interesting post! The future is a mystery indeed. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with me.
It is interesting to read this article but sorry about your experience. Unfortunately discrimination exists in all formats nowadays.
What an awkward position to be put in. I’m sorry that you had to be put through that kind of humiliation. In any case, you do have beautiful hands. Mine, however, have way too many thick veins, I would never be considered for any kind of hand modeling job.
this reminds me of that episode on friends where Joey discovers his “identical hand twin” lol.
i’m sorry for the discrimination.
oh wow, diversity but they talk about colors. it’s just sad that discrimination up to this days is never gone. i just wished those people well.
Not black enough? It’s sad that society still try to dictate to a race that has more shades than any other. The irony of your replacement. Wow!
Thank you Amanda! It was a bizarre experience, to say the least.
Thank you Shelanda. I was caught between crying and screaming. However, I ended up walking out with my head held high. Their loss.
Wow what a crazy story! I cannot believe they would discriminate against you like that…well i can actually and that’s really sad. Thanks for sharing!
I love this article! It is a shame that these kinds of discrimination still goes on in this century and that you backed away from a very promising career. I think in some way or another we have all been subject to this which makes this blog so relatable!
Great read Autumn. Thank you
Thank you Marie!