We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaya Nicole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaya, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Sometimes I’m not even sure. I guess I would say the act of persevering. In the past I didn’t know I would make it this far. So every time a milestone was hit it pushed me to keep going. I tell myself a lot “You did not come this far to only come this far.” To always keep my art in mind no matter what’s going on in life. Remaining grateful is a big part as well. The more grateful you are the more good things come to you. I try to practice gratitude every single day because I could always be somewhere different. Not to mention my faith in God and in myself gets stronger every day I wake up on this earth. I take it as a blessing and a huge message that I’m supposed to be here. Along with truly knowing myself, what I’m capable of, who I am , and my needs. All of that trickles down into my work ethic, how I feel about my work, and how the world feels about it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
No one is like me and that is my power. No one see’s what I see, and in Photography that’s everything. I set myself apart my making great relationships with my models and staff. Good chemistry at a shoot is literally everything to me. I am proud of everything I have done because there have been countless times where I wanted to give up but never did. And to be honest I’m quick to cut something off or give up on what does not feel right. But even in difficult times this still feels right. I’m excited for the things I’m working on for the future like apparel, photoshoots with high profile clients, traveling, and a really important project I have coming for the summer. I am where I am because I want to be here, and because I believe I’m supposed to be here. The best ways that I have dealt with challenges is spending time with myself and also friends. I’m constantly taking social media breaks. I get very wrapped up in what the world is doing so I have to remind myself why I am here and what do I want out of life. The biggest lesson I have learned is you can’t put too much faith in anyone before yourself. People will always be people, and that’s okay. Just make sure you are always you and everything will fall into place. Also, ask more questions and listen to your gut. I want the world to know that I am a lover of art before anything. And I hope they see and feel that through my work. That I’m a young girl doing almost everything on my own so their support means the world to me and then some.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place to go to is the park. So I would say got to Hermann Park. Then I would suggest finding out where Lonny Sounds is spinning that night cause he is my favorite DJ right now and has been for a while. I would then take them to any of my food places like Sunshine’s, Lindianas food truck, Soul Food Vegan, or Lost and Found, All those places have great vegan and vegetarian options. Then we could shop at Exchange to Change, Washington Ave, or any thrift in Third Ward for some great vintage finds.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout my self out first cause I have been working pretty heard. More than I ever have on anything. I’m excited to see how I surprise myself moving forward. I want to also highlight my friends and loved ones who are patient with me through my journey of art. People like Maya, Janaya, Jagonte, Jaelyn, Kam, Amber and Asia, and my cousin Charis. I have a plentiful list of people who keep my head up and focused on the future I’m cultivating for myself.

Website: https://jayagafford18.wixsite.com/m00dyphotography

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m00dyphotography/?hl=en

Image Credits
All Images taken by Jaya Nicole

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