Ashley and Amber Roemer are sisters who have quite literally been together since the beginning. The twin sisters, who now attend Los Medanos College, are finishing up their sophomore year and preparing to transfer. They have big dreams of becoming professional models.

The two girls may be shy, but they truly shine in front of the camera. It all started in 2019, where the Roemer sisters became interested in taking their own self-portraits to post on their personal Instagram accounts.

 “We used Pinterest for inspiration, and planned outfits and poses that we saw and liked,” Amber recalls.

As their social media accounts gained traction, they realized local photographers were often looking for models to work with. From there they started working with photographers, and their passion for modeling skyrocketed.

 “It felt good to be in front of the camera,” said Ashley. 

They began to build a portfolio to show interested photographers their capabilities. A model to a photographer is like a canvas to an artist, and it takes skill to adapt to a photographer’s vision. The women said they feel encouraged when photographers coach them and illustrate the vision they are trying to achieve.

Sometimes shoots include makeup artists and other types of assistants who work with the models and photographer. Both women agreed their favorite shoots are those in which wardrobe and makeup are provided.

“Studio shoots are our favorites, they feel so professional,” said both sisters.

They hope to increase the number of studio shoots they do as time goes on. Each sister has a dream shoot if the opportunity ever comes up.

 “I’d love to do something fairy tale or cottage themed,” said Amber, while Ashley added she would love to do a commercial shoot for a perfume company.

Modeling is also a way for the sisters to connect with others — especially in an age where school and other social events have moved online.

“We grew up in Antioch, we never left,” said Ashley.

Modeling gives them opportunities to meet others they may have otherwise never encountered. They have previously been to meet-up shoots where groups of models and photographers gather together to work.

“Everyone is super friendly, we all comment on each other’s posts and be supportive,” Amber explained.

For both, modeling is the way they express themselves without using words. They said they fear public speaking but enjoy being observers in conversations.

 “Being in front of a camera or on stage is easier for us than talking,” Amber said, adding that they both enjoy the confidence modeling brings them and love to share their photos on their Instagram accounts.

It often takes photographers a week or more after a shoot to send over the final images, but sometimes, they never receive images from the shoot back. This is, however, a risk they said they are willing to take when booking shoots.

Thankfully, the sisters have never had a negative encounter at a shoot, only a few instances of missing images and unprofessional photographers, so for the most part modeling has always been a positive experience for the Roemer sisters.

“We love getting our final images back,” Ashley said. “We want to not only look good in them, but also feel good about them.”

They share their photos on their separate Instagram accounts, which have a combined total of almost 3,500 followers. The women have big dreams of signing with a modeling agency in the future, but know how difficult the modeling world is to break into.

Standing only 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-3, the Roemer sisters feel that runway modeling is most likely not in their future. For now, they are looking to try their hand at catalog modeling where height restrictions are not a big factor.

While modeling may be their dream, the Roemer sisters have started to focus on picking a major and considering what else they might do in the future. Amber is looking for “any job where I can help animals,” which has led her to start looking toward a degree in marine biology, and Ashley has taken an interest in film and television.

As for their future in modeling? 

“It will always be a hobby,” said Ashley. “Hopefully we can move forward with it.”