Today we’d like to introduce you to Poya Seck.
Hi Poya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Poya Seck, I am Senegalese and Louisianan. I was born in DC and raised in Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso and The Democratic Republic of Congo up until I graduated from High School and moved to Texas for University. In 2019, I started to get into makeup a little bit more while working in public health as a form of expressing my creative side, along with sketching. I finally decided to capture my makeup looks by doing little photoshoots in my room and parents’ backyard while I was still living in Austin, TX. I really enjoyed the process of going to Ulta and Sephora and buying makeup, trying out a new makeup look, getting dressed, creating a mood, and capturing it. I started to post it on my Instagram for fun and I got a lot of positive feedback from my followers. After a while, a photographer from Houston reached out to work with him and also work with his friend who is the owner of a luxury sunglass boutique and I felt like the whole day experience was confirmation to pursue modeling. I personally didn’t think I could do this as a career because I’ve always been told you can’t live off of art, but I’ve been able to do exactly that and enjoy the journey since the beginning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but is life? Honestly. This is for anyone who feels discouraged from going after what they truly want. You have one life on this earth, enjoy it. I’m still learning that as I go after what I want, I have to be intentional with why I want it so bad. You can’t always chase money, you have to actually enjoy what you are doing. The life of a creative is a roller coaster. Being my own boss is a breath of fresh air, but maintaining structure, balance, confidence at all times, having to deal with other personalities, maintaining my own mental health, remembering to call my family, remembering to practice self care can be a lot for a person to handle. Trusting the process can sometimes be hard and doubt can come into play but at the end of the day you just have to trust your process and go for it. That’s what I’ve been doing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a fashion, commercial, and lifestyle model. Everyone who has met me and worked with me knows me as so and knows that they can depend on me to get great work done anytime I come on set and to work. I take professionalism very seriously even if I work with friends just because I think it’s important to show others that they can depend on you and your work ethic in different environments. I am most proud of these past 8 months in my career. I have proven to myself that I can book with brands, I’ve been in three different music videos, I can create art that inspires and shocks people, because of my work ethic I have been hired as a business partner in the culinary field, I have worked in production with influencers, and ultimately my voice and input is valued. I believe that my process and my imagination sets me apart from others. I have so much to offer in the creative world and I cant wait to see what I accomplish to be able to fully answer this question, lol.
What matters most to you?
My sanity and my family. My family has always been important to me and how I grew up. They always supported and gave me unconditional love. I was free to be exactly who I was and am at home. Their support has never been a question for me and I am truly blessed for that. My sanity because my mental health is the reason why I get to be in the space that I am in today. When you come from a loving and supportive background, you realize very quickly that everybody in the world doesn’t always feel the same way about you. I learned the hard way and it has caused a lot of trauma. My mental health is very important to me because I don’t want to go through depression again. I choose to live life with grace with my village by my side.
Pricing:
- $100/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ps.yourstruly/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTC_NBsPy8vkw41B4SClYTg
Image Credits
@maniccomp
@washingtonave
@isaacrowry
@theeyeofewing
@camsvisualart
