The hallway mirror catches a last-minute outfit check. A duffel bag packed with makeup, hair ties, and extra outfits waits by the door. Soon, studio lights will flicker on, or a runway will glow under dim overheads. For senior Faith Decker, this routine is second nature. She’s spent the last seven years building her path in the modeling world.
Despite her current ease in front of the camera, Decker’s journey into modeling began unexpectedly, sparked by a chance encounter.
Decker’s modeling career began after she was scouted at a Taylor Swift concert at 11 years old. Her career took off only a year later.
“I landed my first paid job at 12 with Oriental Trading Company, modeling Halloween wigs and bat ears,” Decker said. “It was so much fun, even though I was really nervous.”
In recent years, her resume has grown fast. She’s modeled for major brands like Nike, Shein, Forever 21, and Pajar. However, one of her most intense experiences was in Montreal, where she spent 11 hours outside in the snow modeling outerwear for a shoot. She handled it all alone, flying solo to Canada for the job.
“That shoot was intense—we were outside in the snow for 11 hours modeling coats and boots,” Decker said. “But it was all worth it.”
Decker’s mother, Diane Decker, helps manage her schedule, reviews contracts, and ensures clients understand that Decker is still a student. She’s traveled with her to jobs across Nebraska, the metro area, and Los Angeles.
“My role in Faith’s modeling career is mainly to keep her safe and humble,” Diane said.
Back in Omaha, Decker balances a packed schedule. She works three days a week at a beauty salon, takes classes at Metro, all the while she is still in high school, and still finds time for creative outlets like painting, drawing, and pottery.
“The beauty salon I work at is a great fit for me because they’re super flexible, which allows me to continue working there as I pursue modeling, college, and high school,” D. Decker said.
Modeling hasn’t always been easy. COVID took a toll on Decker’s confidence and made her question her passion for the industry. It took time—and the right people—to help her get back on track.
“Rebuilding my love for modeling took time, but I’m incredibly grateful to the supportive people in my life who helped me find that spark again,” Decker said.
One of those people is art teacher Jon Austin. After every job, he’s always the first to ask how it went. His consistent support has stuck with her.
“By keeping up to date with how she is doing, what her goals are, cheering her on from afar, and writing letters of recommendation, is what helps her the most, just knowing there is always someone there and rooting for you,” Austin said.
Decker has always treated her career as something separate from her everyday life—something that belongs just to her.
“Sharing about modeling is difficult, but when people want to listen and ask me about it, I find it way more exciting,” Decker said.
Some of her biggest wins include signing with Women Management New York and traveling for brand meetings. Those trips were early steps toward a long-term dream: being featured in Sephora.
“One of my biggest career goals is to have a giant poster of my face in Sephora because it means I finally made it,” Faith said.
The cosmetic industry is where she hopes to grow next. Her favorite model, Juliette Andrews, works with the same Omaha agency and recently did a Maybelline campaign.
“She [Andrews] recently did a campaign for Maybelline and continues to inspire me with her work ethic and success,” Faith said.
Even with years of experience, the job still brings challenges. The runway show for Enspire Couture pushed her limits—she modeled 45 prom dresses and walked up and down stairs between each one. It was physically demanding, but it taught her a lot.
“It was physically exhausting but a great learning experience,” Faith said, “Modeling for Enspire couture taught me that modeling jobs aren’t all easy, some can be hard on your body and your mind.”
The lessons Decker takes from experiences like the Enspire Couture runway show are not just about physical endurance but also the resilience and communication skills needed to succeed in the industry. It’s those moments of challenge that have shaped her approach to modeling and life in general.
Now, as she finishes high school, she’s thinking about what comes next. She plans to continue classes with Metro while she travels. In a few years, she’ll decide whether to pursue college full-time or keep building her modeling career.
“After the next couple of years, I’ll evaluate where modeling is taking me and I’ll make my final decision,” Faith said.
D. Decker asserted that the decision is up to Decker, but she’s proud of how far her daughter has come, emphasizing Decker’s strength.
“I have been so proud of my daughter and how far she has come from Omaha Fashion Week to going to casting rooms across the country,” Diane said. “Seeing how much she loved the diversity, outfits, and her friends she made along the way made all the lights and glamour of the runway a bonus.”
For Decker, modeling isn’t just a job—it’s personal. It started with one unexpected moment and became something she’s carried with her through good days, bad days, and big wins.