Conversations with Taylor Smith

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

Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
To be honest, I had no idea modeling was even an option for me. It just seemed something that was so far-fetched. My neighbor and I had a mutual friend, Joy, who needed models for her fashion project in college. I just slapped some stuff on my face and went outside in our friend to help out a friend. Then that next week she asked if I could do it again, but this time we met up at a park and there were makeup artists and a hairstylist- it was so legit! I honestly fell in love with it but didn’t think twice about afterwards because again “so far fetched.” That happened during my junior year. Once I got to college, it crossed my mind more than I expected. But I was an NCAA athlete, and if you know, you know – they pretty much own your soul once you sign that contract! They owned me as a brand and I couldn’t do squat about it. I could get kicked off of track and lose my scholarship and Lord knows I was in no position to pay for school. Fast forward, I got incredibly depressed – like it got bad. I’m not too sure if I can say this so let’s just say it worked out on some crazy, miracle blessing type! I wasn’t in track anymore so I could finally pursue modeling so I did! I was so goofy starting and it was awkward dming people with no experience whatsoever, but I needed to put myself out there. My first shoot was with Jen and Alex, two creatives in the bay. Jen had shot with a friend of mine on track so there was my touchpoint. Jen said I was natural and I’m not gone lie, I was feeling myself when she said that, lol. From there I kept dming people and then came Chris.

The day after our shoot, he agreed to sit down with me and teach me everything he knew – we talked for like 3, 4 hours. I kept the momentum and never stopped. I ran to shoots (I’m deadass), bussed, use Lyft and Uber, hitched rides you name it. I would sit on the bus for an hour just to shoot this one gig – and Bay Area buses are not all that cute, haha. I’ve been doing it consecutively for about two years, but modeling technically for 3 (in 2019, I had like 3-4 shoots because of this job that had me working 11-12 hour shifts, I quit!). With no vehicle of my own, while being managing full-time jobs in between, I’ve still managed to get it done. I’ve bought so many flights to and from the bay. Paid for shoots and got played and driven back and forth to LA for shoots (I’m in Chino). I’m not signed yet, but that doesn’t discourage me. The right agency will see what I see in me. I’m just out here trying to just promote that you don’t have to look apart to do it and you don’t have to be signed either! I truly believe what is placed in your heart is yours because you were given that unique desire. I’ve modeled with LovebeginswithL, Sweetstreet Cosmetics, BodybyRavenTracy, and Forever 21 just to name a few. I say this humbly, but I’m barely scratching the service. Keep up with me @tayloryvonne__ on Instagram, you’ll be seeing my face all over.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Man! Hell Nah! I’ve borrowed cars to shoot. Cried a many of time with my friends getting signed, ran from bus to bus to get to shoots, ran to shoots because I had to be on my time, missed opportunities because I couldn’t get into LA because of transportation. It’s been rough! I’ve invested so much into modeling. I struggled with my confidence a lot! I would buy and return clothes because I had nothing to style myself with for shoots. I also have a history of being a “yes man” when it came to things and I struggled to find boundaries with people. I’ve changed in public bart bathrooms! I’ve been through the ringer, lol!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel like my answer is similar to when you as a first grader what they want to be when they grow up – an astronaut, chef, shark, doctor, Princess. My profession is kind of all over the place. I’m a Master’s student T Pepperdine University, studying to become a clinical therapist for families, couples, and individuals. I also work at Grammarly full time as a Recruiting Coordinator. I have three pen pals who are incarcerated because I have a special place in my heart for incarcerated folks. I am a freelance model. I’m a poet and a singer as well which I’m a bit more shy about. I feel like a lot of people don’t know me beyond modeling which is good and bad. Of course, I’m still building myself as a brand, but there is more to me and I’m passionate about a lot of different things. I’m honestly most proud of my grind and desire. I put in so much work. I try so hard to make things happen for myself. I appreciate that about me. We all have the tendency to see all of the “finished product” forms of people on social media, but shit ain’t sweet! People have to work hard to get to where they are and I’m not sure why we don’t share more of our grind and testimonies during the journey. I need to take my own advice, haha. My “me-ness” sets me apart. There will never be another person exactly like me. I’m fun, weird, quirky, sexy, bold, wild, selective listener (which I’m working on lol, and cutie with a little booty! What’s not to love!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Ain’t nothin in Chino hahaha, but I love that there is space out here to just be still. It’s quiet and I live across the street from a cow farm. I get to see the babies all the time (they are milking cows). It’s like any other suburb. It is far from LA and California traffic can make that drive seem like forever. I just bump music to and from so it’s not too bad. Knowing that I get to do the thing I love makes it worth it. A part of me loves the bustle of the city though and how all of the action is right there! I always talk about moving to New York (and I will), but I need to be on a billboard first. I also randomly want to be in a Ty Dolla Sign music video! I love him, so if you know a brotha don’t be shy and help me make that happen!

Contact Info:

• Email: taylor.smith1248@berkekey.edu
• Website: https://modelingbytaylor.wixsite.com/modelingbytaylor
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tayloryvonne__

Image Credits:
Instagram: @darrinbaldridge @beautybybambie24 @nigelelli0t @girlwiththeneoneyebrows @beautybynic @ariel.meii @kiwaes.closet @kvnalln @styledbytati @ashleeegregori @brandiewed @artistrybydre @semiines @__pix7 @lara_gilles @trufacebygrace