Bella Richardson wins Miss Photogenic Teen Australia 2022
A timid teen may soon be a household name as the modelling career she sought out to help find herself earned her national acclaim and a lucrative signing.
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When Bella Richardson models for a photo shoot, her shyness evaporates and confidence in herself shines.
She isn’t the shy, softly spoken teen her peers know her to be but a self-assured young woman, one who believes in herself to chase her dreams of being a model.
It is a transformation that has been noticed and recognised, with the 16 year old winning Miss Photogenic Australia Teen 2022 in the latest of an impressive early modelling career.
“There’s something about photo shoots; I do better when more people are watching,” Bella says.
The Cannon Valley teen, who turns 17 in early May, has signed with Tamblyn Modelling which has opened up exciting career prospects including television commercials and the film industry.
While walking runways in Milan, London, Paris and New York may be her dream, Bella’s 165cm frame may keep it out of reach – a teasing 5cm shy of a strict 170cm desired height requirement for the prestigious catwalks.
But this rising star of the Australian modelling industry is determined, and hopeful, of making her mark.
“She started modelling a few years ago because of her shyness,” proud mum Natasha Richardson said.
“We started putting her into modelling and deportment school and she flourished there in front of the camera.
“It boosted her confidence.”
Bella agrees, saying a transformation comes over her when she is in front of the camera or a crowd that has also helped her find her voice.
“Definitely confidence in myself as a whole with the way I look, and speaking out,” she said.
She has helped fundraise for charities including RACQ CQ Rescue and the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation.
“It has been great to see her grow and develop into a caring young person who can speak in public now,” Mrs Richardson said.
“It’s like an alter-ego comes out.”
Mrs Richardson said Bella’s focus on the task at hand when modelling took over her daughter who “really enjoys the moment”.
The Miss Photogenic Australia Teen competition focused on modelling with a panel of judges including Miss Australia 2018 Gemma White, Mr Universal Jony Berry and international model Roda Alfred.
Contestants were judged on their performance during a timed photo shoot, with confidence in themselves a major part of the criteria.
“This is different to standard pageantry which Bella has done a couple of,” Mrs Richardson said.
“This was more about modelling.
“A lot of people in the competition were titleholders in pageantry and have grown up in the industry.
“Bella has only done one pageant – Miss Diamond – and she did quite well in that one.”
Bella will do acting courses in the coming months and hopes to work on some TV commercials for beauty products including make-up and skincare, meaning the Whitsunday teen could become a familiar household face across the country.
She will also compete in Miss Teen Australia which is affiliated with Miss World, to be held in Launceston later this year.
She said her experience in Miss Photogenic Teen had enriched and endeared the industry to her.
“Meeting everyone down there was amazing,” she said.
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