A Seasoned Modeling Scout is Bringing Her Mission of Inclusion to Rhode Island

A Seasoned Modeling Scout is Bringing Her Mission of Inclusion to Rhode Island

Kristie Raymond knows modeling.

The North Attleboro native began working at a modeling agency in Boston after graduating from UMass, and in the 1990s, started and ran her own modeling agency on Newbury Street called Models Inc.

After selling that company and moving into location scouting (and starting another company), Raymond then switched gears to work in corporate for Hasbro, in Pawtucket. 

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It was there, she said, that she saw the need for brands to be more inclusive in their model searches. 

“I had connected with an amazing woman who has an organization called ‘Changing the Face of Beauty.’ We invited her to Hasbro, and we had this enormous day of casting, where we offered red carpet, photo, and video,” said Raymond.

And it was a success.

“We had so many kids; Baby Alive booked children from our casting for their packaging," said Raymond. 

From there, the seeds for the “HumanKind” casting agency were born.

Raymond is "determined to use her creative powers for good in this industry and to work with clients that don’t just create images, but create meaningful impact, for both our communities and for our culture at large."

“I gave my notice in January 2021 and launched it, with the intention of including the historically excluded,” said Raymond. 

 

Impact for Individuals 

Now, in partnership with the Massachusetts nonprofit “No Limits Media,” Raymond works with industry professionals to set up photo shoots for people with disabilities.

“We never ask them what their disability is,” says Raymond. 

And Raymond partners with local adaptive clothing lines, so that their creations can be featured in the work as well. 

On Sunday, Raymond and her team, including Rhode Island-based photographer Paul Warner, will be at Events on Main in Pawtucket for a “Beauty Has No Limits” photo clinic. 

“We set up these sessions like we would any other shoot,” said Raymond. “We’re going to make sure everything looks great so that when the models get in front of the camera, they’re shining just like everybody else.”

Raymond said one of the things she aims to do is “reduce the barriers to entry” for aspiring models with disabilities. 

“Right now, I’m paying for most of this myself,” she said. “I’m hoping to get sponsorships to cover the costs.”

According to Raymond, there is currently a demand for her services - and there is a waiting list for those who would like to take part. 

With over a dozen clinics under her belt so far, Raymond said there have been a number of moments that stood out to her. 

“One of the first clinics we did was in Worcester. A young girl showed up with her parents. She was ten years old and nonverbal,” said Raymond. 

“So she comes in, and she's sitting with her parents. And at one point, you could tell, she was very distressed, really unhappy. We took a minute, cleared the room, brought the music level down, and we slowly brought people back in,” said Raymond. 

“And we started playing music, I think it was probably Taylor Swift. A couple of the girls are out on set. I look over, and there's this little girl watching the two other girls so intently. She stood up. She looked at her parents, and she just walks on the set,” said Raymond. “She was blowing kisses by the end of her session.”

“One week later, her mom calls me, she says, Kristie, I don't know if this has anything to do with the clinic, but my daughter with her talker, because she uses a talker to speak, just asked me to sign up for cheer,” said Raymond. “I love that it gave her that confidence boost.”

Raymond, who is also closely involved with Rhode Island Fashion Week, said she hopes to host more clinics in New England, and beyond. 

You can learn more about HumandKind here.