Hanmer model takes career to next level

Olivia Barriault said she loves being in front of a camera. The seven-year-old Valley View Public School student has already begun making a career out of it.

The blond-haired, blue-eyed youngster has been taking classes at the Gauvreau Academy of Performing Arts and Modelling since September 2009. While attending the Canadian Model and Talent Convention in April, she scooped up first place in the four to seven-year-old photography competition and was second runner up in the runway competition. She also took part in the monologue, commercial and kids casting contests.

While at the convention, Olivia was picked up by Minor Details Model and Talent Agency. It didn’t take long for the agency to put her to work.

Over the course of 10 days in July, Olivia took part in eight photo shoots. Her face will soon be seen in Sears, Zellers and Wal-Mart flyers.

Florence Gauvreau, a director at the studio, said she is “quite proud” of Olivia’s accomplishments. Gauvreau said it is “very unusual” for one model to do so many jobs with an agency in so little time.

Olivia said she likes modelling, but being photographed is her favourite part.

“The best part of doing it is doing all the poses, because sometimes you get to jump in the air,” she said.

She said her favourite shoot involved modelling snowsuits for Wal-Mart. “We got to play with real snow and we got to go in fake snow,” Olivia said. “It’s like this whole winter set.”

Olivia’s parents, Terri and Larry, said they will continue to support their daughter’s career as long as she’s still having fun. “I think it’s great at her age, just to boost her confidence,” Larry said.

Terri noted that modelling has also helped Olivia become more comfortable, especially at school.

“I think she’s having fun, and I think she enjoys it. Her teachers told us that, over the course of the year, she’s got more confident.”

Talent is something that runs in the Barriault family. Olivia’s 12-year-old sister, Jenna, also takes acting classes, and plans to start modelling as well.

“It’s all something they found interest in,” Larry, a country music artist, said. “We don’t push them to stay with one particular thing, but they’re really enjoying it.”

When Olivia isn’t striking a pose for the camera, she said she also likes playing with friends, colouring, playing soccer and listening to music. In the near future, Olivia said she wants to broaden her skills into singing and maybe dancing.

When she grows up, she said she wants to be a modelling teacher.