Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.
I am a 42-year-old open-heart surgery survivor. I had a heart attack at 38 and unexpectedly had to have my chest cracked open to save my life. After that, my mentality about life really changed or I knew I had to live each day as if it were my last.
I was given a second chance so what did I want to do? I always wanted to be a model but being overweight most of my life and at 5 feet exactly I knew my chances were slim. I love that the culture now embraces people of all shapes and sizes and it gave me a fighting chance to break into the industry.
I have been following photos by Phelps for many years and loved his photography. I added him to my personal Instagram page where he got to know who I am as a person. I flew out to see him and shoot a couple of photos just for fun. After he dropped my photos on his Social media and I created a pseudonym, I began to get followers and even some super fans.
I was hit up by a few photographers to collaborate on photos and even a possible Modeling agency signing. Since that fateful time about a month ago, I have done five photoshoots around the country with each look being dramatically different than the last. The saying that life is short is very accurate especially for someone like me who was looking death in the face. I encourage everyone to live their best life and to pursue their dreams no matter what they may be.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I’m definitely someone who starting the modeling career late in the game. I have youthful looks but believe me, my body has gone through a lot. Having so many health issues with diabetes and high blood pressure.
Having almost The saying that life is short is very accurate especially for someone like me who was looking death in the face. I encourage everyone to live their best life and to pursue their dreams no matter what they may be. James makes me take my pictures in a way where I give it my all like this is the last shoot I will ever do.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you wanted to do what you do now. Who did you tell first? What has it been like since that moment?
The opportunity presented itself to meet photos by Phelps when my best friend said she was going to pay for a ticket for me to fly out to Virginia. He was only a quick hour and a half away, and we had talked over the years about shooting so it looks like a great opportunity.
I had a concept in mine from an old 1990s Janet Jackson Rolling Stone cover where her boobs are covered by someone standing behind her. I told Phelps I wanted to replicate this image and after a little bit of convincing my friend, she agreed to cover my breast for me in the shot.
Since my pictures hit social media it has been nonstop hustling, getting my brand off the ground, growing that in her confidence in myself, and trying to inspire others.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?
Since my pictures hit social media it has been nonstop hustling, getting my brand off the ground, growing that in her confidence in myself, and trying to inspire others.
If you had to pick the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could take your career (or business) to the next level…who would those 3 people be?
Well, since I admired photos by Phelps for so many years I can mark that off as one of the people. His photography is next level and he really helped catapult my career. I would love to meet Nigel Barker as well as he takes amazing photos of his subjects and captures women’s Femininity well.
Honestly, the third person would be someone who mimicked my path and is now thriving in their career. That person will inspire me to reach for the stars and motivate me to keep going because the best is yet to come.