Model from Sault Ste. Marie hits national stage with magazine photoshoot

Just three years removed from high school, the Sault’s Ella Morin has taken her love of fashion and modelling to the next level. 

Not even a year after signing a three-year modelling contract with Elite Toronto, Morin is prominently featured in the latest edition of Elle Canada.   

“This was my first real editorial shoot, which is pretty lucky considering I’m just starting out,” said Morin. “I haven’t really even worked with many other photographers.”

Morin was working in Montreal at SSENSE, a fashion-based e-commerce platform, for about a month when she was presented with the opportunity to take part in a photo shoot in Montreal for the popular Canadian fashion magazine.  

“I got a call about a week before this magazine issue, and I had to decide in one week if I wanted to go and do it. It was crazy,” she said. 

The shoot was a lot shorter than Morin had expected, about six hours in all. 

“As you’re doing hair and makeup, another girl will be on, getting her pictures taken,” she said. “Once you’re ready, you get your pictures taken. It’s a fun process.”

Morin’s introduction to modelling has been full of surprises, right from the time a scout with Elite Toronto, a model management agency, saw Morin on her Instagram account and reached out to her. 

“I was kind of surprised. I was like whoa, I didn’t realize this actually happened. I thought it was kind of a myth that you could actually be scouted,” she said.

Now, with a high-profile shoot published and distributed nationwide, Morin says it’s all starting to come together for her. 

“I think that right now it’s something I’m really passionate about,” said Morin. “I’ve been out of high school, I think, three years now. I haven’t really gone to university or college, because nothing ever felt right.”

“I’ve always been into fashion and modelling. This opportunity came up, and it’s all kind of coming together.”

Morin has been receiving lots of support from family and friends in Sault Ste. Marie since the news of her appearance in Elle Canada. 

“My family and friends are beyond proud of me. I've received over hundreds of messages and comments of support,” she said. 

Morin says she would eventually like to do modelling on the international stage.  

“As of right now, my goals are to enjoy whatever comes my way,” she said. “Eventually, I'd love to travel and model internationally when it's safe to do so.”

Samples of Morin's modelling portfolio can be found on the Elite Toronto website.