Interview With Lisa Dawn: The Camera Is My Boyfriend

Some models talk about work, but Lisa Dawn, also known as Eva Milana to many, talks about the life around it. Eleven years into her career, she is currently taking a break to recover after surgery, filling her days with drawing, walking her Yorkshire terrier, and writing a romance novel loosely based on her own story. She holds a law degree, dreams of moving to America, and, more than anything right now, is hoping for the end of the war in her home country. This is Lisa for Erotic Beauties in her own words.

Something To Kick Things Off

What are you obsessed with right now?

I'm not working at the moment. I'm taking a little break and recovering after my surgeries. I absolutely love drawing, and lately I've painted quite a few pictures. Whenever I feel inspired, I work on my book, which I hope to publish someday. I spend a lot of time outdoors walking with my dog. We also visit a bird sanctuary together and help out there. I've even started thinking about getting a parrot of my own. I really love Galah cockatoos - they're pink and absolutely adorable.

Describe your perfect day off.

Oh, my perfect day off would be sleeping in and then going out into nature, riding a bicycle, or going fishing. I've loved fishing since I was a child. Another perfect option would be traveling somewhere new, walking around different streets, discovering new places, and eating delicious food. I really love visiting places I've never been before.

Are you a morning person or do you come alive at night?

I'm definitely a night owl. I love sleeping until around 10 or 11 in the morning. That's when I finally start feeling more energetic.

What was the last thing that made you laugh uncontrollably?

It was something my dog did. I have a Yorkshire Terrier. He's nine years old, and his name is Venya. In the mornings, I love eating cottage cheese with sour cream. One day, as usual, I made myself some black coffee and cottage cheese in the kitchen. Then I got a phone call and stepped away for just two minutes. When I came back to the kitchen, my dog had eaten all the cottage cheese and was completely covered in it. It was so cute and absolutely hilarious.

The Path That Brought You Here

How did you first find your way into modeling, and did you fall into it or chase it?

I got into modeling completely by accident. When I was 18, I moved to Kyiv and needed a job, but nobody wanted to hire me. So I started looking for casting calls. Back then, there was still a social network called VKontakte. I found a casting, arranged everything, and went there on the scheduled day. We took some test photos in lingerie, and then the casting manager asked me, "Would you be comfortable posing nude?" At that moment, I simply thought, "Why not?" So we took the photos. The next day, I got a call telling me that I had passed the casting for my first magazine. I agreed without hesitation. And that's how my modeling journey began.

What do you remember about that first time posing nude in front of the camera?

I remember that I liked it, and I was never shy in front of the camera. Whenever I work, I always enjoy myself.

Was there a specific moment after those first shoots when you realized this could actually become a career?

When I started my journey at 18, I didn't understand that it would eventually become my full-time job. I was simply doing something I enjoyed. Everything developed so quickly that only about a year later I realized that I had actually started a modeling career in this industry.

What do you think you'd be doing right now if modeling had never happened?

I have a university degree in law. I could have worked somewhere in the legal system - perhaps in a court, the police, or the prosecutor's office in Ukraine. But I'm very happy that my life turned out this way and that I have a career in modeling.

Is there something from your life before modeling that still shapes how you work today?

I had a difficult childhood. I didn't like going to school because I didn't get along with my class teacher. There was also a period when I was bullied at school. That influenced my decision to move to a big city and find a way to stay there permanently, so that I wouldn't have to return to my hometown of Kherson or see those people from my childhood again. It also influenced my work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Modeling

How do you prepare mentally before a shoot?

I turn on music and get ready for the shoot while listening to it. I love singing while I'm doing my makeup and hair.

Do you have a pre-shoot ritual?

Yes. I always have coffee, and I imagine that the camera is my boyfriend and that I'm about to flirt with him. I believe there has to be a connection between a model and the camera. Only then can my fans feel that I'm close to them.

What is the difference between a shoot that feels fun versus one that feels like work?

For me, every shoot is enjoyable. I simply love my work and genuinely have fun doing it.

What makes a photographer earn your trust quickly?

When I arrive for a shoot, we usually meet the photographer for the first time, or sometimes we've already worked together before. We usually go out to eat, have some coffee, and talk about the shoot. Communication helps me relax before working. That's how a connection between the photographer and the model develops.

Which photographer or studio do you feel has captured you best on camera, and why?

Everyone I've worked with has had their own approach, and I enjoyed working with all of them. I especially enjoyed working with David, a photographer from Turkey. We became friends, so it was both work and time off. We had such an amazing time together.

You've worked with a range of studios over the years. How would you describe the differences in working with each of them?

Every studio and every photographer is unique in their own way. Everyone had their own approach, and all of it was a huge experience for me personally. Overall, I can only share positive memories and emotions. In short, working with everyone was different, but it was always a lot of fun. I also traveled a lot because of my work and truly enjoyed it.

After years in front of the camera, what still surprises you about your own work?

Honestly, I have 11 years of experience, so it's pretty hard to surprise me anymore.

A Life Across The World

Which place left the deepest impression on you during your travels, and why?

Japan. It feels like another world. 🌍 Everything there is different. I traveled there with another model, and I remember that we walked around Tokyo a lot. It was so unusual - everything was different. There were robots everywhere, and the food wasn't what we were used to. What surprised me the most was that people sleep at work during their lunch break. But my favorite thing about the country is the food. I absolutely love sushi.

Is there a country or city that genuinely changed how you see the world?

Yes. The first time I went to Japan was when I was 18, to the city of Fukuoka. At that time, I thought to myself that I wanted to work a lot so that I would have the opportunity to travel and never have to live in just one place.

What's somewhere you haven't been yet that's at the top of your list?

America is my dream. 💭 I tried applying for a visa, but unfortunately I was refused. At the moment, it's my number one dream. I dream of moving there and living there someday. But for now, it's only a dream. 💭 Maybe they'll read my interview and give me a talent visa. Hehe.

Do you always shoot while you travel?

No. Sometimes I travel simply for vacation without working, but that doesn't happen very often. Most of the time, it's for work.

Sensuality And Self-Awareness

What is the most sensual non-sexual thing you can think of?

I once dated a guy who traveled a lot. We talked on the phone and rarely got to see each other. I remember those moments as some of the most intense and sensual ones because I would count the hours until we could see each other again.

Do you think being naked in front of a camera is inherently sexual, or is that the viewer's projection?

I think it depends on the model and her professionalism, and on how well she knows how to work with her body and in front of the camera. The model is the one who conveys the sexuality. When a fan looks at a photo, they should feel attracted to her. The most important thing is to understand your own body and communicate the sensual feelings you want your fans to experience when they look at your photos.

How has modeling changed your relationship with your own body over time?

I've learned to love myself much more. Before modeling, people around me often tried to make me feel like something was wrong with me. When I started working in modeling, I realized that I could accept myself exactly as I am. I learned to love myself and my body.

What part of your body do you think is your most sensual asset, and is it the same one fans seem most drawn to?

I have very sensitive nipples, and I also have little dimples on my lower back, just above my buttocks.   think every fan probably has a different favorite part of my body. I'd actually be curious to know which one they like the most.

Behind The Persona

Is there a difference between "Lisa Dawn" on camera and who you are off it, and how do you navigate that?

Honestly, there's no difference. I'm the same person in front of the camera as I am in real life. I'm quite a simple person, and I enjoy many of the same things as other girls. For me, modeling is my favorite job, and I genuinely enjoy it.

What's something about you that would surprise the people who only know your work?

Before people meet me, they often look at my photos and think I'm a bitch. But when they meet me in person, they're usually very surprised by how simple I am and by the way I treat people. Because no matter who you are or what you do for a living, you should always remain a human being.

Rapid Fire Word Association

Here is a quick list of words. What is the first thing that comes to mind?

Camera - sensuality Freedom - travel

Power - strength of spirit

Home - wherever you feel good Beauty - love Fans - friends

Risk - take the risk, and everything will work out

Alone - being yourself, alone with your thoughts

Happiness - animals Life - you only get one

Here are a few this-or-that questions:

Heels or barefoot? - Barefoot

Sunrise or sunset? - Sunset

Wild location or luxury hotel? - Wild location

Solo shoot or with another model? - Solo shoot

Indoor studio or outdoor light? - Natural outdoor light

Planned concept or complete improvisation? - Complete improvisation

Mountains, beach, or city? - Beach

Looking Forward

When you imagine your life ten years from now, what does it look like?

In ten years, I imagine myself as a happy woman whose dreams have all come true. Someone who gets the most out of life and lives it to the fullest.

What are you most excited about for the next year?

More than anything, I'm looking forward to the end of the war. It's one of the most terrible things that could happen in this world, and I just want peace.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

I'm actually writing a book right now. It's a romance novel about a girl with a complicated life who moves to America and meets a man who is 25 years older than her. Many of the stories are inspired by my own life, and the main character is very similar to me. As for the title, I'll decide on it once I finish the novel.

To Your Fans

What is the one question you wish someone would ask you, and what's your answer?

"Are you happy with your life?" I would answer, "Yes, I am." I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I have an amazing life.

Do you have any words for your fans?

I'd like to send air kisses 💋 to all my fans around the world and say hello to everyone. Maybe someday I'll organize a fan meet-and-greet, and I would be very happy to meet everyone, get to know you, and have a conversation in person.

Lisa Dawn Has Found Her Peace

After more than a decade in front of the camera, Lisa Dawn has arrived somewhere a lot of people spend their whole lives chasing. She fell into modeling by chance, built a career that carried her across the world, and now she is taking time for herself by painting, writing, fishing, and walking her dog Venya.

You can find Lisa on Instagram (@lisa____dawn) and X (@LizaFoks). We look forward to continuing to feature remarkable models and creators who make Erotic Beauties what it is, and there are plenty more interviews on the way!