Meet Ariya Taylor of Prettyfaceco in Monterey Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariya Taylor.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ariya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Honestly, through my own journey of self-acceptance. My mom was a modeling coach for a model school in DTLA back in the 90’s. She was also an aerobics teacher, dancer, makeup artist, and I saw all that. Went to her modeling classes, played model with the other models as the cat walked up and down the shiny floor in the school’s ballet room on the 15th floor. I grew up with the mentality that tall, light-skinned, blue or green eyes was the definition of ideal beauty. Real class and everything I was not. Can’t tell you exactly where it stemmed from but I use to be blonde, blue-eyed and dedicated my life to sunscreen.

At 18, I moved from LA to NYC on a scholarship for business school. It was a chance to be me so on a whim I died my hair my true color. Dark Brown. I do this often, go out on a whim and dive headfirst into things but that’s another story! A couple of months in, I got an internship with a record company as basically an assistant to the CEO. Last minute, the model for a photoshoot we set up with an upcoming artist that just signed with us didn’t show up. (Ha! Go figure, inside joke to those that know) My boss asked me to fill in, the outfit was almost my size and I was hair and makeup ready. He considered me pretty, I guess and asked for the favor. I warned about my lack of experience but that didn’t matter, it was needed and I fit the part. Well… okay, let’s do it! It ended up being great! I had fun, the shots turned out like they wanted and I made some friends. The stylist was going to be a part of a fashion show and invited me to be a model in his line of clothing! I got my foot in the door and it was great.

Fast forward to a couple of months ahead. I become a survivor of what took over my life, confidence, and self-worth. It’s still difficult for me to talk about it. I call it my accident and because of it, I joined the Army. After months of isolation, binge eating, sleeping, I said no more. That’s it. I needed to feel in control of my life, I wanted to feel strong, I wanted to be a badass woman. So I signed a contract with the Army, shipped off to boot camp as soon as I could and graduated one year later which coincidentally happened to be the same month and day I was admitted into the hospital as a victim of rape. One year later, I officially overcame many fears.

That was the first part towards my self-acceptance. Modeling creeped back into my life and I used it as my journey of self-love, control of my body, and self-acceptance. Although no one knew what I used it for and for a while neither did I. I just know that after a photoshoot I felt empowered. I felt like I accomplished something and made an impact in the creative community. I started hosting photography events where I rented out huge mansions and instilled the value of models feeling like they are worthy of being paid. In this industry, there is a lot of TFP or time in exchange for photos. Which is great but if you want to take modeling into the next level, you need to charge for your time. That was hard for me to understand that I had worth like that. When I finally officially started charging for my time to model, my career changed for the better. I wanted other models to fee the same because they are worth it!

I still struggled to fit into what I thought was a fashion model, tall, skinny, blue-eyed, pale and blonde. Little by little, I feel tired of having to upkeep an image that wasn’t me. As I let go of each fearful change I made to myself that made me look more like who I am, I actually got more modeling work. More decently paid work. Commercial work! I was a ring girl, trade showgirl, runway model, published in magazines, product model, Instagram model, fit model, I waked in lingerie and I waked for bridal dresses. I showed up on TV several times! I was interviewed and invited, hosted and amazingly as I started to accept more and more of myself, so did the universe around me.

I met my amazing husband who supports my career! Helps me and has become my personal photographer. I loved seeing his photography skills grow as my modeling skills did too. We are a duo you won’t forget if you met us! He helped me through so many trials and errors, helped me find my confidence to submit to modeling agencies. When I started to love myself that’s when I was able to accept love from others. I’m so grateful for a partner that wants to see me grow in what makes me happy. We travel, we hike, we Photoshoot and he comes with me to my shoots when we can. We eat! We workout, we critique each other’s photos and we inspire to take more.

Our move back to my hometown in Los Angeles is temporary but I’ve been taking full advantage of the opportunities here. I officially quit my job in December as a full-time beauty advisor for Clinique. I model full time, I am currently a freelance model with agency representation but have yet to find the perfect agency. Like I said trial and error. I find my own work as a commercial fashion model with beautiful dark brown hair, brown eyes, brown skin, and freckles. I am a proud biracial Latina who fully embraces herself. My move to NYC May be intimidating but I’m confident in myself because I’m worth it. Hence my soon to be business called Pretty Face Co. A brand dedicated to making people feel worthy of their dreams because they are worthy of that and so much more! My brand empowers and reminds you of the strength, courage and determination you have! Its official launch is Jan. 1, 2021. It’s going to be spectacular! The pandemic definitely affected my modeling but my army values of adapt and overcome are stronger. I still model and do content creation regardless of Covid 19. It’s about the power of your mind and getting over your fears.

Has it been a smooth road?
Feeling of self-worth was my biggest challenge and as I found my worth, my life changed for the better.

I wish I learned as much as I know now about modeling back when I started. Saying no is okay and believe me whatever you said no to isn’t the last opportunity you’ll ever get. That was my problem, I accepted all the Photoshoot offers and there were some that I deserved to be paid. Photoshoots that I just didn’t want to do like nude photography. I just don’t want to and I don’t care how many say it will get me to where I want to be faster. You don’t have to pose nude and don’t let anybody EVER convince you to do it for free. Especially if they use to be a photographer for ten years for playboy. I fully support that genre, I have friends in all ranges of modeling that I support. The big take away is, do what you want and what makes you happy.

Don’t be scared to apply to agencies! Even the “big” ones. Don’t let the no’s affect you and keep applying to more. Resubmit every six months with an even better version of yourself. Learn to love who you are and the rest will follow through.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have two businesses which is myself as a model and my upcoming aromatherapy line Pretty Face Co.

Pretty Face is the nickname my husband gave me and it’s in honor of how he makes me feel. I would want everyone to feel like a pretty face! Worthy of their desires, dreams and goals.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is the city to start a creative business. This place is a bit nicer than New York City and the weathers better too! If you’re just starting out, I definitely recommend LA. People move here for the opportunities but be ready to have thick skin. Don’t give up. If someone else was able to make it then so can you. If not then you be the first! The good thing about LA is the vast amount of different opportunities, give yourself the time to learn what your good at and go from there. There are other people here willing to help you and learn from. The traffic sucks and the air quality but all and all a good place to start. Definitely.

Pricing:

• Commercial Model $75/hr + buyout
• Lingerie $120/hr
• Instagram post $75/post
• Content creation $250 & up
• Aromatherapy “Worthy” manifestation candle $65
• Instagram collab $50/hr

Contact Info:

• Email: ariyataylor.at@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariya_taylor_/?hl=en
• Other: IG @prettyfacecompanies, @ariya_taylor, @ariya.taylor, @travelmemoirsusa, @ariyataylorevents

Image Credit:
Ariya Taylor, Jorge Hurtado, Megan Sistachs for Chibeke Cosmetics, Jonathan Pivaral, Mansoor

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