We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Era Bayrak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Era, thanks for joining us today. Do you have an agent or someone (or a team) that helps you secure opportunities and compensation for your creative work? How did you meet you, why did you decide to work with them, why do you think they decided to work with you?

“I don’t have an agent or a team helping me secure opportunities or compensation right now.
Honestly, I’ve been a bit cautious about working with agencies because I haven’t always felt that I could fully trust them. Most of the time, I prefer to work independently and put in the effort myself, even if that means working for free or on my own terms.

For me, it’s important to stay authentic and in control of my own path, rather than relying on others who might not have my best interests at heart. Hopefully, in the future, I’ll find the right people to collaborate with — but for now, I’m focused on building my journey on my own.”

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

“Hi! I’m Era Bayrak, a trans model passionate about breaking barriers and redefining beauty standards.
My journey into modeling began as a way to express my authentic self and to challenge the traditional norms of beauty. I believe representation is powerful, and through my work, I strive to inspire confidence, visibility, and acceptance for the trans community and beyond.

I work on fashion shoots, runway shows, and campaigns that celebrate diversity and inclusion. What sets me apart is my dedication to authenticity and using my platform to uplift others who might feel invisible or unheard.

I’m proud of the resilience and courage I’ve built throughout my journey — navigating challenges while embracing my true identity. I want my followers and supporters to know that my brand stands for empowerment, self-love, and the celebration of every unique story.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Together, we’re creating space for everyone to shine as their true selves.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

“One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey is how much emotional vulnerability and constant self-doubt it involves.
Being a creative isn’t just about talent or ideas — it’s about putting your true self out there, and for me, as a trans person, that sometimes means facing rejection because of who I am.

I’ve been turned down or underestimated just because I’m trans, and that’s a hard reality to navigate. But what keeps me going is resilience — trusting myself, learning from every experience, and continuing to show up with pride and courage. I hope this helps others understand that behind the scenes, there’s a lot of heart, strength, and determination in this journey.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to change myself to be accepted or loved.
Growing up as a trans person, I was constantly told — directly or indirectly — that who I was wasn’t enough or that I had to hide parts of myself to fit in. For a long time, I believed that and tried to mold myself to others’ expectations, which only caused pain and confusion.

The backstory is that it took many experiences, mistakes, and moments of self-reflection to realize that true acceptance starts from within. I had to unlearn the fear of rejection and embrace my identity fully. That lesson empowered me to live authentically and has shaped everything I do today.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: erabayrakofficial

Image Credits

Designer: @francestaylor.yt
Hair: @belmaisonhair
Make up : @8eautyla6
Photographer: @scottymoson & @nijo.portrayals
@vixenproductions.co
@westsidequeens