Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for University of Memphis student Akevia Allen, luckily, someone saw it in her.
While she was attending Frayser High School, one of the teachers urged Allen to go to a casting call held at the school for a fashion show.
It was at that casting call that Allen made the decision to pursue professional modeling at only 16 years old.
Now 19 years old, she manages scheduled shoots and goes to school full-time.
"I try to balance my dreams and my reality," Allen admitted.
Although she has obtained local recognition, she still seeks a degree in psychology. "You have to have something to fall back on," Allen said.
After she graduates, Allen plans on fully devoting her time to her modeling career, which she described as a personal outlet.
"(When I'm modeling), I'm expressing myself-whatever emotion I'm feeling that week. If I'm happy, frustrated, sad or mad, I let it all out," she said.
Although she said that being a model makes her happy and more confident, she has felt the personal stress that comes with this world.
"When you're not size 0, it puts on the pressure. I have felt the need to change my appearance to fit others' views. I've felt the need to compromise my craft," she stated.
Now, she focuses on her own opinion when modeling rather than the ones of others.
"Be your own thing instead of what others tell you to be. Being yourself is inevitable. Do you. Everything else will come eventually," Allen said.
She prides herself in being versatile.
Local photographer, Gregory Lopez has photographed Allen numerous times.
"I try to bring out what is good in a model," Lopez said.
He said that when he shoots a model, he is learning something new about her. And he, like Allen, believes that beauty is in everything and everyone.
"I never go, 'that model is too big, that model is too short, or that model is too dark.' I'll admit that it's harder to find (beauty) in some rather than others," he continued.
But when it came to Allen, he said that he noticed her beauty right on.
"It's more than a physical appearance with her. It's her personality. It actually comes out of her appearance."
He pushed Allen toward glamour modeling even though she was accustomed to fashion modeling.
Allen is 5'10" and, according to Lopez, fits the standards of a good fashion model.
"Fashion (modeling) is about selling the product (whereas) Glamour is more about you," Lopez said.
According to him, he's seen models like Allen blossom.
"I've seen models become mainstream and get published or get agents." Lopez said. "(Allen) has the potential to do whatever she wants to do in this business."
Allen has also been featured in music videos.
Local videographer, Isaiah Conley, has worked with Allen a few times.
"I try my best to give models guidance, but I really can't take much credit for what they're doing," Conley said.
Of the models he's shot, Conley called Allen one of the greats.
"Confidence can be a double-edged sword. You can't be so into yourself that you will not listen to the director. That's not her at all. She's a true talent and works hard," he added.
He filmed Allen for the music video "At the House" by Young Dolph. It appeared on MTV in 2013.
Allen said she wants young girls to realize that they don't have to get half naked in order to gain recognition. According to her, it might take longer to get it, but you'll be more respected.
"When you don't have to dress a certain way, or act a certain way and people can still see the good in you, that's what beauty is," Allen said.
