Feature Shoot: Hailie-Jay Hart

We here at Snakebite pride ourselves on bringing you lovely readers the best and brightest models from all over. This month our featured lady is a bendy beauty from Devon called Hailie-Jay Hart. She plays with fire, can probably draw a better horse than you… oh yeah, and she’s just gone and done this kick-ass set especially for us! Massive props have to go out to Hailie-Jay for helping make the shoot a possibility; she went the extra mile, actually, many many extra miles, in order to shoot with Franc for this feature. A newbie to the modelling scene, but undoubtedly a natural. Enjoy, and remember where you saw her first.

Hi there Hailie-Jay, welcome to Snakebite. It’s our immense pleasure to feature you on our site, how’ve you been?
I’ve been awesome! If very very busy. Ha-ha

Snakebite is a massive fan and friend of aspiring models and interesting alternative females. How does it feel being a part of the very sexy and ever growing Snakebite sisterhood?
Man I feel privileged to be in such an elite club! Ha-ha, with so many gorgeous ladies too!

You’re new to the modelling game, but even in self-shot candid photos and other recent work, you exhibit really eye-catching and intriguing qualities. What made you take the plunge and get into modelling in the first place?
I’ve actually had a lot of problems with eating disorders and body confidence, so I guess it’s my way of saying Fuck you to all those things, ha-ha. You don’t have to be some perfect little size 6 to be a model, just be the best version of you that you can.

Judging from your online presence and the images you share, it’s obvious why Snakebite got in touch. We loved the piercings, and the lithe statuesque nature of your body shots. There’s also an attitude to your clothing choices and some of your posing work on camera. Do you have any specific style icons or influences in your life?
Not at all really. I grew up with my Dad and my brother so I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy… I just buy what I think looks nice and wear what’s clean! Ha-ha. But modelling-wise I’ve always been a huge fan of Arrabella Drummond. The things I would do with that girl… ha-ha

I mentioned your piercings, so can I ask how did you decide on your facial pieces in particular? I really love your lip piece and the nose ring. Were they a whim, or were they more considered?
They were pretty spontaneous to be honest… I’ve never really been a huge fan of my face, so I thought maybe putting some holes through it might improve the situation.

I see you’ve also got pieces in and around your collarbone. Can you tell us a little something about them, Is that a difficult spot to get pierced, have they bedded in well?
Again they were pretty spontaneous, I just thought they would look pretty, although I had to take one out because it wasn’t healing very well, and I haven’t got around to getting it re-done yet. But yeah, the one I have left is in great, the studio use a ‘U’ shaped bar instead of a strait one so in theory they shouldn’t grow out.

You also help out in a tattoo shop, which must be a cool environment to be part of. Does it fill your head with ideas for piercings and ink? It must do because in your shoot you’re sporting a brand new chest piece aren’t you?
It’s definitely the best environment! Although being the only girl there they try to bully me; but I give as good as I get. Ha-ha. I think I’m done on the piercing side for now but, I’m always planning more tattoos. My chest piece was actually a birthday present from David Sheldon, its not finished yet but its about 4 hours down so far. I actually nearly cried! Ha-ha

Does your ambition lie in tattooing ultimately, is it something you can see yourself getting more and more involved with?
It’s definitely something that interests me but I’m not sure about a future in it. It takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication to become a good tattoo artist. Not to mention huge amounts of natural talent, that I’m not at all sure I posses.

You told me previously that you do fire performance (poi) as well. It’s a talent and art form that’s very awesome indeed. How did you get involved with it? Did you play with matches as a kid or something?
I did actually! Ha-ha. Well I spent a lot of time at raves and festivals when I was a kid, so I started learning regular poi just because it was around me, then when I got a bit older I bought myself some fire poi and never looked back!

I can see the attraction from an audience viewpoint, but what do you get from playing with fire as performance? Is it the danger aspect?
I honestly don’t know what it is; I’ve always loved fire, I was honestly a bit of a pyro as a kid. I guess maybe it harks back to something more primitive?

It’s a pretty hardcore pastime, have you had any mishaps at all? Have you had to have any creative hairstyling after accidental singeing for example?
Well there’s not usually any fire when I practice, only for actual shows, so I’ve been lucky enough to avoid mishaps so far. I wish I could blame fire for the awful undercut I had a while back but unfortunately that was just bad decision making.

I’ve mentioned your lithe frame before, and it’s clear you have a very bendy background. Was it dance or gymnastics that sculpted such an exquisite physique? It’s a joy to see you incorporate those skills into your pictures. Would you say being able to assume unique poses and body positions is a benefit when modelling?
Lots of gymnastics, yoga and swimming! Ha-ha. Although I’ve been a bit lapse lately; this modelling lark is time consuming, ha-ha! And yeah I guess is does help, especially when you have to hold a certain pose for a while. It takes more muscle than you would think.

What other interests have you got? What has been making your eyes square and your ears bleed of late?
 I don’t actually have a TV, so I don’t really watch movies or TV shows. But there’s a few bands that I’ve been introduced to recently that I love; The Howling are absolutely brilliant, they have such a unique sound and energy on stage. I actually met them recently and they’re the nicest lads too! I’m also listening to a lot of Motley Crue at the moment to for some reason.

On your various online spaces, your artistic side is more than evident. It’s understandable that you might gravitate towards tattooing, but how else do you like to doodle? Paint, charcoal, spray paint, drawing moustaches on magazines?
Everyone needs a moustache ha-ha, but yeah I’m always doodling or making something, I love spray paint as a media but I’m completely rubbish with it.

Were you one of those people in school who could draw the perfect horse, while the rest of us came up with what looked like mutated chocolate cacti?
Ha-ha, yeah I guess I was… sorry!

I understand Snakebite is one of your first major shoots; we’re over the moon to be able to pop that particular cherry for you. Were you excited about the day shooting with Franc?
Excited and terrified!

You had a mammoth 12 hour round trip for this shoot, is that right? Now that’s dedication we have to salute! How was the journey to meet our Snakebite snapper? Better than the first attempt I hope. Was it worth the voyage?
Yup that’s right! The journey was actually really fun though, one of my closest mates drove me so it was kind of like a little road trip. Lost of music and messing around. Even if we did have to get up at 3am!

What was your experience like on the shoot, could you tell us about how the day unfolded?
It was honestly brilliant. Franc is so lovely and chilled out. The whole day was just really relaxed, lots of music and snacks. I really enjoyed it.

Did you give as good as you got while shooting? Were you able to add a few ideas, poses, looks into the set?

I’d like to think so yes… I’m pretty new to this but Franc was great, I definitely felt like we were working together, even though in all honesty he probably did most of the thinking ha-ha.

What was your favourite portion of the day? Were there particular images you were dying to see?
Umm… can I say all of it or is that a cop-out? Ha-ha. Absolutely, there were a few sets where we utilised my bendy-ness, I was very excited to see how they turned out. Certainly unique!
Now that you’ve shot with Snakebite and are awaiting the public’s reaction, how would you sum up the experience? Has it made you eager to shoot again? Will you be keeping an eye on the future of Snakebite with the view to a re-appearance?
Amazing! Franc is just the best… I’ll definitely been keeping an eye on Snakebite after this.

For all the Snakebite fans and followers, have you got a message or something they should keep in mind while they gawp at the site?
Umm… enjoy!

Quick fire questions:
Ask the closest person to you to describe you in one word, who were they and what did they say?
My adopted sister, after a barrage of insults came up with ‘Relentless’.
What was the last thing you bought from a shop?
Probably an energy drink.
What was the last thing that annoyed the hell out of you (not including this interview)?
Getting my chest tattooed!
Have you got a favourite cartoon character, if so, who?
Alice, from Alice in Wonderland.
Do you have any bad habits?
Umm… I don’t think so… I probably do though…
An apt question for you Hailie; what’s the last thing you set on fire?
Probably something boring like a cig or an incense stick…
What one job would you absolutely love to have?
I would love to be a model, photographer or tattoo artist.
Is there a part of your body you wouldn’t have a tattoo and if so why?
Inside of my lip I don’t think I’d get done… but apart from that no, ha-ha.
What one thing could you not live without (not air or water mind you, the important stuff, material stuff)?
My iphone… ha-ha, my life revolves around that thing.
Do you know what ingredients go into Snakebite and have you ever drunk one?
I’m from Devon! We know all cider based drinks here! Ha-ha.
When you head out on the town, what type of music/bars are you gravitating towards?
Just somewhere with a good chilled-out atmosphere.
A man with a gun walks into your bedroom one night, he demands three reasons people should check out Snakebite magazine. What do you say?
Boobs, games, music!

Choose one:

The library or the video shop?

Library.

Tea or Coffee?

Tea!

Comics or computer games?

Comics.

Sandals or bare feet?

Bare feet.

Bearded or clean shaven?

Bearded.

Cats or Dogs?

Cats.

Skateboards, surfboards or BMXs?

BMX.

A night out with Stephen Fry or a night in with Robert Downey Jr?

Ummm…Robert.

Savoury or sweet?

Sweet!

Snakebite magazine… or chips?

Snakebite.

Words: Rich Saunders Images: Franc B (See more from Franc here)