Taylor Tells All! Learn a Little About Modeling Safety and Having Confidence Outside the Photoshoot.

Taylor looking stylish in streetwear at Eyecam's Christmas Showcase Photo Credit to Eyecam Photography

Prior to her walking on the runway at Gotham Glamour, I spoke with Taylor and got to know about her journey leading up to that moment as a model.

~

Angid

I am with Taylor. Let’s start with your social medias handles.

Taylor

On Instagram, I go by tee_._jayy. I had to make it a little different. There were lot of TJ’s on there.

Angid

So my first question would be, how long have you been modeling?

Taylor

I’ve been modeling for about two to three years. When I first started modeling, I got into it with my best friend because I lost over 100 pounds. And I started doing boudior where I was paying photographers, and I was just doing it to build my self-confidence, to build myself up. And then on a whim, I decided to join and the inc cover girl contest. Everyone gets in for those, but I didn’t know that at the time. And I had a lot of people support me and tell me about TFP’s (time for prints), Facebook pages I didn’t know anything about. So I started to explore into that about a year into me just doing boudior for fun. For myself. So once I started finding TFP’s pages, I kind of just flew right into it. And I really went from there.

Angid

You actually answered one of my questions! So modeling and photography mean a lot to you then.

Taylor

I actually love photography. I’ve always been into photography. Like, I’ve done some weddings and stuff. So it was more like I had an appreciation for photography and photographers, but then I was never in front of camera. So over the last few years it’s been, like, that transformation for me, letting myself be in front of the camera instead of behind the camera.

Angid

So you had some prior knowledge on what looks best on a subject?

Taylor

Yeah. I also think I look at it maybe a little differently just because I’m like “ooh, this would be a cool shot.” Like, I love a silhouette photo, you know? I love the art of it. I love going with a concept with the shoots.

Angid

Can you describe and tell me about your very first shoot? What was going through your head?

Taylor

My first shoot outside the boudoir?

Angid

Yes.

Taylor

So the first shoot I ever went to, I made my friend go with me because if you don’t know people in the area, it’s important to be safe and take someone with you. I also had networked and knew someone that also modeled with him (the producer of the shoot) before. So I reached out to her, background checked, and it was in New Jersey. And it was for a motorcycle Facebook page that had a magazine. It was super cool. So when I first got there, I’m so nervous and I’m getting myself ready. I’m changing into all these different outfits and I felt great because I was at the peak of my modeling fitness journey, but the most exciting part was when I was in the changing room and my friend was in there with me, and one of the photographers answered the phone and was like, “I’m just wrapping up with the model.” And I looked at my friend and I was like, “I’m a model.” So that was so exciting because it didn’t register until that moment. Now whenever I go to shoots, and I talk to someone I say, “anyone could be a model. All you have to do is just stand in front of the camera.”

Angid

So it was the realization that you classified as a model.

Taylor

Yeah, yeah! It was a cool realization moment for me. I think it helped me build confidence, and obviously it was practice. A lot of my core photographers helped me with learning my poses a little bit better or working facial expressions, as that has been a little bit of a struggle for me. So I feel like if it’s not a genuine face or expression, you can tell.

Angid

So we’re at an Eyecam event. Do you want to dive into how you met him?

Taylor

So I started doing different networking events and the TFP page, and that’s when I crossed paths with Eyecam. And I went to their very first networking event. And I made my friend come with me because she was also doing modeling at the time, and it was an instant connection. As a model, if you don’t have a good connection with your photographers your surroundings, you’re not going to be comfortable then your photos aren’t going to be the best that they could be. And this group is just so welcoming and everybody’s comfortable and cozy, so I feel like these are always my best shoots.

Angid

So the environment really matters.

Taylor

Oh, 100 percent.

Angid

Without naming any names, were there shoots that you attended where you felt the vibe was off? Like it was off?

Taylor

There are definitely plenty of shoots that are like that. My worst one was me and my friend. I take her everywhere. We went to do a shoot at some guys studio and I did not do a background check, and it was so sketchy. The guy didn’t have any real light equipment and I was like, “we gotta get out of here.” It was so scary. So I think it’s important to fact check and make sure they’re legit photographers, because I don’t mind working with beginner photographers. But there’s a difference between being an amateur and not being a genuine photographer.

Angid

Since you’ve been modeling for two to three years, have you seen progress in yourself? Do you look back and think, “wow. That’s me?”

Taylor

Definitely. I have become more comfortable. My facial expressions are better. Something I don’t do as much anymore and still work on is the deer eyes.

Angid

Deer in the headlight eyes?

Taylor

Yeah. So there’s definitely a lot of progress in me being more self aware, and there’s still so much room for growth. It’s fun to look back and see me get more creative.

Angid

Is there anything from modeling and photographing that you’ve learned that you’ve taken with you into your day to day life?

Taylor

Yes. I was always the person that just wore jeans, and a t-shirt or leggings and a sweatshirt, and I decided that I don’t need a reason to dress up for things. I can just dress up and pretend to feel like a boss ass bitch, and then I’ll be one. And I took that into my everyday life. Not that I’m always dressed to the 10, but I can go and be whatever person I want to be and dress however I want, and that’s okay. I’m not going to be judged for it and I am I don’t care.

Angid

So you took the confidence from your shoots into your everyday life.

Taylor

Yes!

Angid

Well thank you so much Taylor.