Abby Burkholder: The Siren
“The siren is often misunderstood, but she’s not just luring others — she’s calling herself home.”
Text: VIONNE Magazine | Photos: Louis Jones
Model: Abby Burkholder | Looks: Mlle Gabrielle
In a misty forest framed by a cascading waterfall, The Siren emerges — not just as a mythic muse, but as a powerful reflection of self. Abby Burkholder, a multi-talented artist and South Carolina-based model, reunites with photographer Louis Jones, the very first creative who ever captured her on camera. What began as an early collaboration has now evolved into a story of trust, transformation, and unspoken understanding. In this exclusive interview, Abby shares the emotional depth behind The Siren, the power of reclaiming feminine archetypes, and how modeling, music, and acting converge in her ever-evolving creative expression.
Unfiltered with Abby Burkholder
VIONNE: There’s something timeless and mythical about this series. What emotions or personal symbolism did you channel during the shoot?
Abby: This series came from a deeply intuitive place. I’ve always been drawn to mythic feminine figures — the siren, the muse, the wild woman — not just for their beauty but for what they represent: power that doesn’t need permission. During the shoot, I let myself tap into emotions I’ve often tried to quiet — longing, defiance, freedom, grief. The siren is often misunderstood, but she’s not just luring others — she’s calling herself home. That’s what this shoot felt like: a reclamation.
VIONNE: You mentioned this was a full-circle moment with Louis Jones, the first photographer you ever worked with. How has your creative relationship evolved since that first session — and how does The Siren reflect that growth?
Abby: Louis was the first person who ever made me feel seen through a lens. Back then, I was still trying to figure out who I was — there was a lot of performance, a lot of people-pleasing. Now, there’s more trust, more collaboration. We’ve both grown in our crafts, but more importantly, we’ve grown in honesty. The Siren feels like the culmination of that — we didn’t chase a concept; we let it unfold. It’s equal parts his eye and my spirit. The vulnerability in these shots couldn’t have existed without the years between our first session and now.
VIONNE: The setting — a forest and waterfall — is so raw and grounding. Did the natural surroundings shape your mindset or movement during the shoot? How did the environment become part of your performance?
Abby: Completely. The moment I stepped into the space, I stopped “posing.” The forest didn’t care about perfection — it just wanted presence. There was this moment where the cold water hit me and I gasped, and Louis captured it. That wasn’t planned. It was real. The moss, the wind, the sound of water — it all pulled me deeper into character. But also, into myself. It felt less like performing and more like becoming.
VIONNE: You’re a multi-hyphenate: model, musician, actor. Do you find that those roles overlap when you’re in front of the camera? How do your different artistic expressions feed into each other?
Abby: Absolutely, I don’t compartmentalize them. Modeling is visual storytelling, like acting without a script. My background in performance helps me access emotion and intention quickly, while music has taught me rhythm — how to let a moment breathe. Sometimes I’ll even hear music in my head during a shoot to guide my pacing. At the core of everything I do is narrative. Whether I’m delivering a line, singing a verse, or holding a gaze, I’m always telling a story.
Follow @blugraphics | @its.artsy.abby
Want more?
Read our latest issue to discover more powerful stories and explore exclusive features, interviews, and fashion highlights.
Available now online & in print-on-demand.
