Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayla Ray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

The one thing I would change about the education system is the conversation around the journey to success directly related to education, especially higher education, and the aftermath of what to expect from the “real world” they are preparing you for. During my final year of high school, the conversation around attending college felt as though you had no other choice but to go. If you didn’t attend, you’d amount to nothing. If you did, but somewhere along the way mistakes were made, college professors or the university itself would take opportunities away, which leads to you amounting to nothing as well.

However, as someone who willingly went to college and graduated, I can now say wholeheartedly that all of that was a lie. In fact, I’ve found it a bit harder to find success despite the degree sitting on my desk. Although I’ve gained much knowledge and skill over the last four years, I realized there was a lack of resources for when it was all over, leaving me at a standstill. I didn’t fully grasp how competitive the workforce is when diving into your career or pointed in a direction that could get my foot in the door. Watching those who didn’t pursue higher education, and even those who did but are choosing a different career path, thrive successfully makes me question if it was all really worth it. Now, this isn’t to discourage anyone in any way, but to the high school teachers, counselors, and college professors, PLEASE thoroughly help your students navigate efficiently. Gain some insight into where their interests lie and try to provide resources to help them go in the right direction.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My interest in taking photos peaked when I was about 13 years old. I saw a man with his tripod set us to capture the landscape scene of the park my family and I went to. It was during the rise of social media, so my only goal was to create Pinterest-worthy images such as cute flowers, sunsets, and anything involving nature. When I really dove into the photography medium and learned the technicalities of photography, my focus shifted to portraiture. We are constantly navigating how to love and accept ourselves externally and taking pictures is the most authentic way to show that. As a photographer, I understand how intimidating this profession can be and it is my job to make sure I get to know my models as they are. The best way I do that is by letting them gain control of their photo session, whether that’s letting them choose how to style themselves, asking them questions, and ultimately finding ways to bring out their true self. I believe that is the key to making worthwhile images.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being an artist is seeing or hearing the way people positively receive your work. During every photo session, I let models view their images so we can all get a sense of what is working and what isn’t, and every time I hear “Oh my gosh, Jayla.” or “Is that me? That can’t be me”, it does something to the soul. Art is something that is consumed by all, but it is not seen as a sustainable career. When I hear those remarks, it is tremendously reassuring to know that I am on the right path to being the artist I set out to be.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Not creating 24/7 does not equate to failure. I think many non-creatives have this preconceived notion that all artists are creating art all day every day, but not grasping the full complexities of what it takes to make art. In my experience, part of the photography process is planning. Yes, I can pick up a camera and press that tiny button in the front without thinking, but what purpose does it hold for me? What kind of satisfaction will this bring to me and others when viewing it? The answer is none. Art isn’t something that can be given to the world without a single care or thought. We ask ourselves questions and visualize things we’ve never seen and/or things we have seen, but in a different light. It is definitely exciting, but it can also be tiring, therefore we need time to take a step back and reset ourselves. Somehow, some but not all, non-creatives see that as a way of giving up when really we don’t want to disappoint ourselves when the end result arrives. Artists are perfectionists, but we know things won’t be perfect if we’re overexerting our energy into something that’s meant to take time.

Contact Info:

• Website: maayvisuals.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maayvisuals_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayla-ray-149104255/