Today we’d like to introduce you to Mya Turner.
Hi Mya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started modeling in January 2023, but didn’t start taking modeling seriously until July 2023, because I didn’t think I could be successful. I was always told you must know someone in the industry to succeed. Eventually, I let go of that limiting belief and began to pursue what I was always told I should do: Modeling! Most of my modeling gigs are in STL, and I am branching out to bigger cities like Atlanta and New York. Since this year, I’ve done 23 photoshoots, 16 runway shows, 5 magazines, designed, sewed, and modeled my first dress on the runway, and coached 3 groups of models. I’ll hit 20 runway shows by the end of this year! Many aspiring models ask me what I did/do to get where I am today. I always say, “Beauty captures eyes; personality wins hearts”! My personality is positive and infectious, so I always attract those who can assist me on my journey while I assist them on theirs. Photographers, designers, makeup artists, and hairstylists love working with me because of my energy! My energy brings me opportunities that someone with a bad attitude possibly won’t get! My versatility, confidence, manifestation, consistency, great support from my mother, and constant improvement are key components that bring me success. I’m only 21 years old right now. I’m excited to see where my modeling career will be next year!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a challenging road. The main struggle along the way was money. Many people would allow the lack of money to prevent them from pursuing their goals; I took it as a challenge! I often could not afford a makeup artist, hairstylist, or clothing for photoshoots. Through that adversity, I learned to do my hair, makeup, and style myself from the clothes and accessories I already had in my closet, my sisters’ closet, my mom’s closet, and by thrifting! I would like to add, I do have advantages other models may not have. I have a built-in beauty team in my family. My mom does hair, one of my sisters is a cosmetologist, and my other sister learned how to do makeup from Sephora. Growing up around them also encouraged me to learn how to beautify myself! I also taught myself to build relationships with people I met at runway shows. Those relationships brought me makeup artists who do my makeup for free, designers who want me to model their clothing in photoshoots, and hairstylists who want to do my hair to promote their brand!
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
What I do for a living is modeling full time. I specialize in runway, editorial, freestyle, and commercial photoshoots. I am most known for my poses. I do unique, eccentric, and sometimes dangerous poses to get the shot I want. I’ve posed one model during a photoshoot and I’ve been asked to do a posing class! What I’m most proud of is the dedication, fierceness, determination, and liveliness my eyes portray in my shoots. Through my eyes, you can see that I am passionate about what I do! What sets me apart from others is that I happily, freely, and honestly share what helps me succeed in the modeling industry without fear of competition or losing out on opportunities. I know that if something is for me, nothing and no one can take it from me. I know that when I help others, I’m also helping myself. You get what you give.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love about our city is the amount of creative talent here! There’s so many breathtaking designers, seamstresses, photographers, videographers, hairstylists, models, artists, dancers, and public speakers! I love seeing the talent being showcased, and I love bringing artists’ visions to life! What I like least about our city is that a lot of people aren’t truly supportive. They’re in secret competition with others or they’ll act as if they’re going to support and won’t. A lot of people have a crabs-in-a-bucket mentality. Many people feel “if I can’t have it, neither should they” and do what they can to sabotage or speak ill of others.
Pricing:
- Photoshoots: $200 an hour (I come hair/makeup ready and supply clothing)
- Photoshoots: $175 an hour (I come hair/makeup ready)
- Photoshoots: $150 an hour (I come hair ready)
- Commercials: $175 an hour (hair:/makeup ready)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/myalamodelo?igshid=MTNiYzNiMzkwZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Email: myaturner531@gmail.com
Image Credits
Model: Mya Turner, Photographers: Instagram: Shotby_jwill, Instagram: Jbraggs.photos, Instagram: mwshotthis, Instagram: nylusblackphotos, Instagram: HenryDavidphotography
