Nothing Comes to a Sleeper but a Dream
- Tamarea
- Jan 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 13, 2019
"I took a dream that I had since I was a kid and turned it into my reality in a very conscious way."
A recurring conversation that I have with people is the one about how I got my foot in the door of the modeling and fashion world. Whenever people ask me this, my answer is always the same. I just did it. I took a dream that I had since I was a kid and turned it into my reality in a very conscious way.
Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in fashion, but I didn’t know how to break through. It seemed only but a dream; something I saw on TV and in magazines but also something that I, an average girl from a low-income family in the hood, wasn’t able to do. Like so many other young girls, I sought refuge in watching Tyra and her team on weekly episodes of America’s Next Top Model, meticulously studying every aspect of their instructions, criticisms, and feedback. The way I doodled wardrobe designs in class on the regular you would think that I was getting paid for the products I had created. I was always playing in make up, doing someone’s hair or my own, and trying to practice “my walk” in front of family and friends at every function. Sometimes I would randomly change clothes in the middle of an event and people would be so confused asking me “Weren’t you just wearing a pink top? Where’d this blue dress come from?” Nevertheless, I digress. When I became of age to travel and work at my own discretion, I began to pound the pavement. I was tired of dreaming, I wanted to be doing.
My first photo shoot was senior year of high school. I was 17 years old when I met up with a friend of mine (the friend turns out to be my husband now, but that’s a story for another day), and we just took photos with his camera. It was a professional DSLR camera, so we had produced some pretty good shots for newbies. I did my own hair and make up, wore an outfit that I had at home paired in a never before seen way, and the entire shoot was completely free. Once I graduated, I moved to Charlotte, NC and began to put the knowledge I had from watching so many ANTM episodes to good use. I started doing research on local events and professionals in the area, including hair stylists, make up artists, photographers, designers, wardrobe stylists, other models, YOU NAME IT! I put myself in contact with everyone who was involved in the industry by emailing, attending events, and coordinating projects for myself and others. I wrote letters accompanied by photos marketing myself as a new face model and awaited replies. From there, I began attending model calls for local fashion events in my community and on the campus of my university. I started working with local freelance photographers and other creatives and the rest was really history.
"I put an end to all the sleeping and dreaming, and I began living, doing what I always wanted to do."
From my first shoot with @CapturedByAmir*, to my first time in a professional photography studio with @EyeOfRay*. From traveling back and forth to Atlanta to model for the Bronner Brother’s Hair Show, to gracing the windows of hair braiding salons and appearing on city bus advertisements with the help of Kristy Beke and @ImageByBignons*. E.N.C.O.R.E. modeling troupe fashion shows in high school led to runways shows along the southeastern coast. I put an end to all the sleeping and dreaming, and I began living, doing what I always wanted to do.
What’s my advice to you? Those of you who ask me how you can get your foot in the door and break through into the modeling industry (or other industries as well for that matter)?
Set clear and distinct goals for yourself. Are you expecting to work locally or travel? Or both? Do you want to brand yourself in a specific area (print, runway, film, commercials)? Are you looking to make a lot of money and be big and famous, or are you more interested in the experience and exposure to the field? Know exactly what you want for yourself so that you can seek out opportunities aligning with your desires.
Take initiative and be genuine in your interest. Passive engagement won’t do it, you’ve got to be all in! Research professionals, practice your craft, seek out events and networking opportunities, just dive completely into it in every way that you can, if this is what you truly want to do.
Build a network of connections and supporters in the field. Once you make the connections, it’s important to maintain them. Show up for others and give mutual support to aspiring professionals. If you know someone with a skill, and you hear someone else is in need of their talents, make the referral. Reach out to the people you meet after you’ve parted ways. Stay connected, involved and most importantly, don’t fall off the face of the earth!
Don’t be discouraged by the fails. You won’t always get a reply to your emails or direct messages. People won’t always be available or interested in collaborating with you. That’s okay! Rejection is inevitable, especially in an industry so selective and constantly changing. You’ve got to have tough skin! For ever person who declines your interest to work together, there’s another somewhere else out there just waiting for you to ask!
Stay in the know of trends and new innovations within your industry. Just as you were when you began the novice stage of your career (or hobby), continue researching, learning, and perfecting your craft every day. If you don’t stay aware, there’s a great chance you’ll get rusty. But if you do, I’m sure you’ll find some benefit in remaining knowledgeable about the craft you love.
I hope this helps to inspire at least one of you to go after your dreams, whatever they may be! With modeling, among other things, I proved to myself that I can do literally whatever I put my mind to and go as big as I want. Reality can be molded with conscious effort and hard work, but nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.
Happy New Year!
With love,
Tenacious T
*Instagram usernames
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