Leanne Overton is a model who did a lot of freelance modelling work before joining Icons Talent.
She is currently studying beauty therapy and modelling in her spare time. She enjoys doing scenic photography as she loves nature. She also has a passion for social media, shopping, keeping fit at the gym and living life to the fullest.
Leanne is an advocate for caring for animals and treating people equally as she believes strongly in equality.
K9 Magazine caught up with Leanne to tell us more about her dogs, work and passion.
Tell us all about all the dogs you've loved in your life. (this is your chance to tell us everything about your dogs, past or present. Names, ages, breeds - we want to know everything!)
I've never been able to have a dog myself. So the dogs in my life were my sisters but they were like my own. When I grew up with my sister she had a Westie dog called Buster.
Growing up with him, I learned to love him like my own. He was such a sweet dog with a bit of an attitude but he was well-behaved and such a good companion.
Unfortunately, he got more and more aggressive because I think it's about his breed. He bit one of the neighbours so the safest option was to give him away.
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I was very heartbroken because we had had him for 7 years but it was what was best and he's now happy with his new owner. Then my sister got her current dog, Mindy, who is a Morkie (mix between a Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier).
She's a lovely little dog that wouldn't harm anyone and she's currently 4 at the moment. She's like my little sidekick. I lived with my sister last year and spent so much time with Mindy and she was my dog as well.
I'd give her walks every day and she'd come to lie in my room. I'd take her to work to try and help her get used to more people to overcome her anxiety.
I was so disappointed when I had to move back to my home town and I wasn’t able to take her with me as she belonged to my sister but I still visit my sister often and see Mindy and she always tilts her head too when I'm calling her name on facetime with my sister.
You're obviously a huge dog lover. How long have dogs been a major part of your life and how would you explain the importance of dogs to someone who hadn't ever experienced the joy of a canine/human relationship in their life?
I've been around dogs my whole life. As I grew up with my sister who had many dogs, I'd feel like they were also mine. Dogs are such amazing companions to have especially when you feel lonely or isolated.
They are so important as they are so loyal and have their own characters. From having many dogs, you'll learn their characters and they become your best friend. If I could get my own dog, I would but unfortunately, I'm working and just don't have the time to care for a dog.
Although they take a lot of time to look after, it is so worth it just to have that company whether it's taking them for a walk or cuddling them on the sofa.
What are your favourite things to do with your dog(s)?
My favourite thing to do with my dog, Mindy, is going for walks. I love letting her off the lead and watching her as she enjoys herself and the excitement she shows right before I take her on a walk is adorable.
The walks also helped me bond better with her and build up more trust as she is really an anxious dog. Walks also help me to clear my mind and just get that fresh air when needed.
You have a really interesting career... What advice would you give to the many people who wanted to follow your path in career terms? What are the absolute best (and worst) things about your work?
Modelling is a difficult career as it's not easy to get into the industry and sometimes it's just down to luck. I never considered modelling before I started.
Yes, I'd look at models on TV and wish I was them but I never thought I'd actually be here modelling myself. I only started modelling when a photographer reached out to me over Instagram and asked me to shoot and it then just took off from there.
I got loads of freelance work and then eventually joined an agency. It took me a year to get here and I've had to work hard and learn more about the industry.
I have to ensure I'm doing everything correctly while avoiding dangerous situations as you have to be careful when freelance modelling.
My advice would be to someone wanting to follow my career path is to be careful in the industry and ensure that you do plenty of research.
Work hard getting good photos to send to agencies and post them so that someone will recognise you but just don't always leave it down to luck. Try applying to agencies and try reaching out to photographers.
The best thing about being a model is getting to build up confidence in front of the camera and feel good. I was bullied when I was younger so never really felt secure about myself.
The bad things about modelling I'd say is, just the dangerous people and people that try to scam you. During my modelling journey, I was quite naive and did fall into a massive debt from a studio.
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I've learnt from my mistake and would just warn others to just be aware and do research into any person or agency that gets in touch. Don't just jump straight into the deal until you have confirmed they are legitimate.
Here are our quick-fire questions, are you ready?
Which do you prefer and why?
Big dogs or little dogs?
I don't really have a preference as I like both but I'd say, I want a big dog as some big dog breeds are beautiful.
Calm, relaxed dogs or dogs who live at 100mph?
I prefer calm relaxed dogs as they are more likely to settle on the sofa for cuddles but also they'll just enjoy a nice stroll. High-energy dogs can be a lot of maintenance and need a lot of attention.
Dogs who do as they're asked most of the time or dogs who do pretty much whatever they like whenever they like?
I prefer dogs that do as they are asked. I don’t have much patience so I don’t think I'd be able to deal well with a dog that doesn’t listen and does what it likes.
Dogs who love to walk by your side or dogs who like to race off and cover ten thousand yards in 3 seconds?
I prefer dogs that'll walk by my side. I'd worry too much if my dog ran off on a walk to cover yards.
Days off or days at work?
I prefer days at work. I enjoy my job and feel like working gives purpose to life. I like to keep myself busy.
The fastest route or the scenic route?
The scenic route. I like scenery and walking through nature.
Describe the last time you laughed out loud because of something you saw a dog do.
The last time I laughed at a dog was on one of my photoshoots. My photographer has a dog and the dog loves his bum being scratched.
So when the photographer was trying to take pictures, the dog went in front of the camera and then shoved his bum in front of me so I could scratch it, interrupting the shoot.
What do you like to do in your downtime?
In my downtime, I like to relax and watch a movie after work. I lose my energy so I would just like to relax with my family.
Let us in on a secret that very few people know about you.
I don't really have many secrets but not many people know that I was actually born with a collapsed lung.
What is your current favourite…?
TV show?
TV show is Bridgeton.
Album?
Album is Close to Home by Aitch.
Film?
Film is Dirty Dancing.
Website?
Website is Shein.
Animal charity(s)?
Animal charity is RSPCA.
If you had to choose just one, what product or service would you say has most changed your life do you think and why? (can be technology, beauty, food, pet-related, book - anything)
A product that has changed my life is my phone. From being a kid without a phone to now having my whole life revolving around it.
It has opened up more opportunities for me but also has made my life based around an aim to do well on social media which has made me more insecure and compare myself a lot more to other girls on socials.
Tell us about some of the most memorable moments from your work.
One of my most memorable moments was having a full-day shoot at Flamborough Head Beach. The views and scenery were amazing and I love the beach so it was a great experience that I'd love to do again.
Finish the following sentence, "dogs are..."...
Dogs are best friends like no other.
And finally, this is always a tough question and often requires some serious thought… If dogs had the ability to speak and you could ask your dog just one question and one question only, what would you ask them and what do you think that they'd say?
I'd ask my dog why she feels anxious on walks so I could try and help her with her anxiety around other people and dogs.
I feel like in return to this question, she'd probably say, "although she feels safe being such a small dog, she can't protect herself and is intimidated by other people and dogs".
This is an opportunity to talk about any causes, projects, business ventures etc that are important to you and you'd like us to tell our readers about.
Thank you for taking the time to read my short passage. If dogs mean as much to you as they mean to me, donate to charity.
And if you have the time to care for a dog and feel isolated, consider adopting a dog. There are plenty of dogs out there waiting for a new home.
I'd also really appreciate it if you would take the time to view my Instagram and drop me a follow. My modelling page is still building so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Leanne!
