Meet Jayra Bray

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

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jayra with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

When it comes to work ethic I believe that it can mean different things to different people. As I reflect on my own personal work ethic, I have to give a shoutout to my mom. Seeing a parent of yours as a single parent is never the easiest, but she has always instilled in me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind too, and from that I have been able to continue reaching my goals.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Jayra Bray and I am a Florida transplant from Maine. Over the past few years I really took a dive into my modeling career as well as other creative outlets. I have had a lot of success from working with different photographers to walking in a fashion show in Milan. As of recent, I have signed with a new mother agency in hopes to continue to grow my modeling career and work internationally.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Being Humble: Whenever a person is starting work in a new space or environment, there can be a lot to learn about how certain things run. When I first started my modeling career I knew that it wasn’t going to be as easy as it seems such as being booked for big clients or be on the cover of big magazines. But through networking and making connections from prior jobs or on social media, I knew that I was going to be successful.

2. Confidence: When it comes to being confident I would be lying if I said that it didn’t take me years to get to the point that I am at currently. Growing up as a tall girl and person of color, it took me a long time to not only be confident in my body, but also my environments. My advice for someone struggling to feel confident is that there is no one the same as you, and that you are unique in so many different ways.

3. Being Resilient: In the creative world there are many different hoops and loops to go through. Trying to make yourself stand out in a world where there are so many different people or people that may look similar to you is difficult. In this journey I have heard a lot of no’s and a lot of, “Right now we don’t think that we can properly represent you at this time.” While this may be hard to hear, know that the right opportunity will be there when it is meant to be.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

When reflecting on my last 12 months all I can say is what has even happened! I have been on a self-growth journey to truly figure out who I am, what I want in this thing we call life, and how can I continue to evolve. On this journey I have been able to realize that I am a strong woman who has a big heart. I believe in myself in ways I never have before and know that I have so much to give to the world and the connections around me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayraabrayy/?hl=en

Image Credits

Personal Photo: @rbj.photography
Beach picture: Chris Mena- MadebyMena
Phone Picture: Taylor Austin- Mayfield Marketing
Close up: MUA- @thespadeeffect and Photographer @seyshels
Runway: @seyshels