Today we’d like to introduce you to Makala Burch
Hi Makala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Makala, and my nickname is Sunshine. My fearless grandmother, Betty Howard, mostly raised me
and adorned me with that nickname as a toddler with firey-red curls. She is hands-down my greatest blessing. Half a century later, the nickname is still fitting as I search for positivity everywhere and, in turn, share that love and light with each soul I encounter. After spending half of my time on Earth suffering from mental illness, I can genuinely say every day of life is a blessing, and I live my life expressing that appreciation.
I am 26 years young and still learning and growing every day. I have always been a hopeless romantic with no choice of my own. My birthday is February 13, making me an Aquarius. I am very intrigued by astrology. I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from Dupo High School in Illinois. I lost my father, William Burch, at a young age, and it heavily impacted the rest of my life. He was the most gentle man I’ve ever met. I feel blessed to have received his unconditional love for ten years earth-side. Now, he is my Guardian Angel. After years of tears and bitterness, I found peace and am eager to hone in and grow within my spirituality.
Along with the help of my grandma, the YMCA (primarily my former boss, Beth Dodson) and a challenging childhood helped me become the woman I am today. I still swim in the world of Aquatics- teaching private swim lessons. I previously taught motorcycle instruction classes in Southern Illinois. I’m working full-time as a nanny in St. Louis, among other clients. Being able to care for those who are still innocent and so full of wonder is truly a godsend.
My absolute devotion falls to animals. I am a voice for the voiceless. Animals > Humans. You have to be the CHANGE YOU want to see on our Earth. I wish more people chose compassion in any capacity. I am a mother to a spoiled pig and currently caring for three cats on my rental property. I’m on cloud 9, renting a small cabin on 5 acres of land in Waterloo, Illinois. I feel fortunate to have a space that aligns with my old soul. A dip in the creek never fails to cleanse my spirit and realign my mood.
I spend my free time connecting with Mother Nature, traveling, taking film photos, modeling, attending music festivals, and creating memories with my family. I listen to music anywhere I can. It feels as if music has always been a part of my life. Dancing keeps me sane. After a long day, I crave to move my body and let loose with some tunes. My playlists are long, but I enjoy finding new music, so I’m always open to suggestions,
I’ve been modeling for over six years now, as it is a passion of mine. I’ve been published a handful of times, one of which was in Vogue! I still create art and mentor others who want to follow my path. I’ve always enjoyed helping women and men fall in love with themselves. I believe your relationship with yourself sets the pace for every relationship in your life. Don’t forget! No one will love you as much as you can love yourself.
I love meeting new people and trying new experiences. I learn so much when I experience the world through someone else’s eyes. I am enthralled to hear others’ mindsets or stories. I grew up in a small town, so I am focused on being open-minded as an adult.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Although, I don’t know if anyone gets a smooth road these days.
Starting, I had the same fears and struggles as most people. Although photographers had approached me a couple of times at events or cheerleading and dancing competitions, I lacked confidence in myself. It wasn’t until my second year of college that I began to love my body entirely. With the push of my good friend, Justine Ulrich, who had modeled successfully for years at that point, I dipped my feet into the world of the St. Louis photography community.
It was the heat of July of 2018. My first shoot was down the street from my apartment near Cherokee Street. I foolishly wore long dress pants, and I remember it being uncomfortable. Let’s say I learned a lot very quickly. Within a year, I was fortunate to collaborate with over 40 artists in the St. Louis area. Covid paused my creative life, so I worked on truly loving every part of my beautiful body. When restrictions relaxed, I was eager to find opportunities to surround myself with creative people. I deeply missed creating art, whether behind or in front of the camera.
Since starting out as a naive 19-year-old girl, I have made a few mistakes and learned lessons the hard way, which has earned me a few enemies. Rather than focus on the rumors or negative comments, I would find appreciation in the fact that they revealed their true intentions instead of masking them behind a smile and a “bless your heart, sweetie.”
I learned I am not for everyone. I am too much for some and doing too little for others. And that is perfectly okay. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. I know everyone has their own definition of beauty, so why try to fit myself into any box? Those who love me will, and those who don’t won’t. It is what it is, and I don’t let it affect me. Other people’s opinions are so irrelevant in the big scheme of things. The way I see it is with each hater off the list, I’m one person closer to finding my tribe, my people, and those who vibrate with the same radiance.
I learned that anyone can take a photo and edit it. However, not everyone knows how to play with lighting and textures or notice the small details when shooting or editing. Unfortunately, not everyone has your best interest at heart. Protect yourself at all times and at all costs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Since starting modeling, I have been very fortunate to work with some of St. Louis’s best artists. I’d love to express my appreciation for some of those photographers here. Shannon Dougherty, Stephen Garnett, Chris Bauer, Adam Huber, Rachel Megan, Casey Otto, Joan Fisher, Maddie Kamp, Danny Robinson, Evan Williams, Riley Clark, Mike Lloyd, King Yella, Brian King, Dane McCrary, Isabel Evelyn, Taylour Moenster, Cinnamon Johnson, Craig Harvey Sees, Oscar Rendon, Juan Wilson, Tony Curtis, James Wright, and Jerel Canty.
I am currently a freelance model in St. Louis and surrounding areas. I specialize in commercial, portrait, fitness, fashion, and editorial modeling. I am most proud of my publication in Vogue on December 07, 2020, with photographer Taylour Moenster. See here: https://www.vogue.com/photovogue/photographers/187113/gallery#2769967
I deviate from my peers because I genuinely focus on natural beauty. I feel this is more critical than ever because young people are being force-fed such skewed visions of beauty and health in the world of social media, with Photoshop, plastic surgery, botox, fillers, filters, etc. I want children to understand they are beautiful without a face full of makeup. Your born attributes make you captivating. The human body is incredible, an absolute marvel.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Clients can explore my work on Instagram using my username, sunshine_stl. Please feel free to email me with project concepts at makalaburch@icloud.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/MakalaBurch
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshine_stl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakalaRBurch/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sunshine_stl
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/22ik354i4z5p2iql3cnxtbn2a?si=Z5OWFkQSQ4Wrzn8rM9Lq1w&nd=1&dlsi=571ec9b5ffbc4447
