Meet Maya Michelle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Michelle.

Maya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Thinking back to when I was a child, I always believed I was going to be a “star”. I just didn’t quite know how I was going to get there.

As a result of being extremely interested in the latest fashion trends, I was the girl always dressing fly at school and religiously taking pictures of myself. My mother would call me “vain” but I now realize this was the confidence I needed growing up, especially being a young black girl. However, this confidence didn’t come naturally. Although I may not have showed it on the outside I had very low self-esteem due to being bullied for my skin color and hair texture. Around the age of 12, I began walking in local fashion shows and modeling for clothing brands that my family and friends had developed. I loved being noticed and praised for my natural beauty.

Every time I received photos taken of me from events or shoots I would fall in love with them. It was at this point that I had developed a real interest in modeling but never took it serious. In 2016, I took a fashion class at Palomar Community College and met a photographer who wanted to shoot with me to help build his portfolio. During the shoot, I felt extremely beautiful, powerful, and I had so much fun being apart of it. Once he showed me all of the photos we were both shocked at how good and natural I was. My heart exploded with excitement and newfound confidence I didn’t know I had in me. I knew this was my calling. Since then, I have been meeting new photographers and models through Instagram, school, and events, building my networks.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Gosh no! Being a freelance model requires I become my own boss. I book and direct my own shoots, do my own hair and makeup, and pay for traveling expenses as well as pay to work with photographers. I always try to go to casting calls that I find online and I have received many “no’s” or simply no callbacks. It is also hard being a black “dark skin” model, especially with tattoos. But I also believe these setbacks are what make me stand out and inspire so many people.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
These past few years I have been creating and developing myself as my brand. I believe I specialize in bringing value and different concepts to other brands, causes, visual ideas, etc. through modeling, dance, and writing. I have a natural talent for visual art and direction and take pride in making different ideas come to life. I aspire to inspire billions of people who feel like they may not be seen or heard in this world. I believe that is one reason that God put me on this earth.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
During one summer back in 2002 (I was six), I used to take swimming classes a few times a week. My mother would always take me. After every class on the way home, she would give me this delicious vanilla granola bar and bump my favorite album at the time “Full Moon” by brandy. It was such a vibe.

Pricing:

• $75/hour for a shoot

Contact Info:

• Email: mayamichelle.model@yahoo.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/mayamichlle_
• Facebook: facebook.com/MayaMichelle
• Twitter: twitter.com/mayamichlle_

Image Credit:
Kaitlyn Kohn, Carlos Garate, Mishwhet

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