I've always loved my city.
When I was younger, I didn't always appreciate it, but the love was always there. Like most inner cities, Paterson is a little rough around the edges. Shit, it's rough around a few parts. But quite honestly, I'm not sure if I'd be as resilient, sharp, or mature as I am today had I not grown up here.
When deciding where I'd shoot, I contemplated between different locations in Manhattan, of course. Mirroring the millions of bloggers who make NYC the backdrop to their Instagram-worthy pics seemed like the only option. When I bounced ideas off of my photographer, he suggested going Downtown Paterson instead. At first, I shot the idea down out of fear that there would be no inspiration, or scenery, and ultimately, no likes on Insta. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Why pay money (fifteen bones to be exact) to go to the city, just for a backdrop? Don't get me wrong, NYC is filled with fashion, skyscrapers, and cool locations, but I felt an obligation to highlight my own city, a place that's often overlooked outside of the occasional Trap Queen references.
Photo Credit: Joe Moore
This whole idea of utilizing your current resources or, "using what you got, to get what you want," has been ringing in my head as of recently. While watching one of the many reruns of The Players Club on BET, I realized that maybe there is some value in stripper-hoe proverbs. For those who aren't familiar, The Players Club is about a single mother, played by a young Lisa Raye, who uses the strip club to pay her way through college. The quote was originally used to lure Lisa's character into the dark world by a seasoned stripper, but ends up being a reoccurring theme throughout the movie and quite frankly, throughout life. In our twenties, we're always reminded of how much we don't have.
"I'd have an apartment if I had more credit."
"I'd travel more if I had more money."
"If I had more experience, I'd have a better job."
"I'd work out if I had more time."
Yes, money is tight and yes, I've only been working for a year and a half but I refuse to let that be the reason as to why I don't succeed. When talking to my peers about what I want to do, I always bring up how hard it is to catch a break, especially in editorial. I usually start my rant with how the industry is oversaturated with bloggers and influencers, and how no one appreciates good writing anymore, or knows how to write for that matter. Then I usually end it with something along the lines of, "but I'm still looking" or, "I'm sure something will come along soon,"-- not completely sure how much I even believe those words.
Photo Credit: Joe Moore
So here I am, creating my own opportunities instead of waiting for something to come along. Here I am using my own talents, my own resources, and my own platform to do what I want to do. Although I'm sure my path is paved with opportunity, (at least somewhere down the line) but for right now, I'll just make my own.