We had the good fortune of connecting with Bailey Toksoz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bailey, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks has proven to be the greatest accelerator for stepping into my power in my life and in my career. There have been times where I was unsure if I was making an incredibly irresponsible decision or if this jump would lead to the greatest reward that I could ever imagine. Growth lives just beyond the edge of fear. When we take a risk and stretch ourselves, it does something for us. It shows us how much we can achieve when we’re given the opportunity and it gives us the courage & confidence to overcome adversity. Not only does it give us this swift momentum of courage to achieve our wildest dreams, it also signals to the universe that we mean business, that we are choosing ourselves and that we are ready to show up in service of our fullest expression. I got my first photography job by relentlessly interacting with this advertising agency. They had posted a job that totally lit me up and I had to go for it. I was way under-qualified for the assignment but I went for it. I sent them postcards with my photography on it and hand-delivered my portfolio. They booked me for my first commercial travel photography job capturing documentary style photography for the cowboy culture of rodeos. I went and traveled and captured the experience and ended up winning a Gold Addy for the photograph. I didn’t even know what that was! A few months later, they sent me on another job & then I became a real photographer. Most recently I took a huge plunge. I invested in a $14,000 business coach program. I didn’t have that money sitting around. I just went for it and put the first payment on a credit card. The next day I booked two surprise gigs! One for 3k & another for $1250. The universe showed me that I am so fully supported in this process. It felt like a symbol that when I go for it & invest in myself, I will be rewarded with massive opportunity almost instantly.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I guide women into their purpose, passion & divine creative pursuits by instilling confidence & power within them through power portrait sessions. We dig deep into the spiritual layers & nourish the parts of herself that need to be loved & we bring them to life through spiritual practices. She finds her wholeness & we capture her unique divine essence through stylized portrait sessions that make her feel like the goddess that she is. It took me many years to learn how to bring forth my gifts, talents & hobbies all together. It was confusing for a long time – it felt like ‘well, I love photography & I love my spiritual practices.. They have changed my life profoundly. And I guess they just have to live separately. I can’t be all parts of myself cohesively. It won’t make sense to the rest of the world.” But once I started digging deeper, the message was all the same. I wanted to show others the light that I see in them so that they can fully live it & embody it & believe it for themselves. These spiritual practices bring that forth, as do these powerful portrait sessions. It gives women a sense of themselves. It shows them their truth, their power & it awakens this connection to their body in the most healing way. They walk away from our work together & completely change their lives. They start asking for the money they deserve. They find themselves in deeply intimate, aligned relationships that fuel their soul. And they walk through the world with a fuller sense of self-worth & confidence that carries them into every experience feeling in tune with themselves & their purpose. I learned that I have to do my own work first. I need to show up for myself in a way that is unwavering. I need to tend to my physical needs. I need to meditate. I need to play creatively & physically. I need to find what it is that I’m trying to bring forth in this world & fully embody it. I need to be gentle with myself. I need to really tend to my own needs before I can create with my full force. I’ve learned that it all makes sense in hindsight. I’ve learned that each opportunity leads to the next. I’ve learned that we are always exactly where we need to be. I’ve learned that there is so much support available to us when we just open ourselves up to it. I’ve learned that I MUST live a life that fuels me & that includes cultivating work that excites me on every level. I’ve learned that it’s important to create for the sake of creating. I’ve learned that my creations can change people’s lives & it’s always worth it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite activity in Austin City Limits is by far Barton Springs. It’s this magical wealth of natural springs right in the middle of the city. The water is so healing & it draws the most fascinating crowds for great people watching & deep connecting. I love spending time outside so I also love walking around Lady Bird Lake. It’s such a vibrant place to get some movement in or catch up with a friend on a walk. I love exploring food trucks in the city – My favorite one is ATX food co. It’s healthy & delicious & there’s always a great community of people gathered around connecting there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow there are so many extraordinary mentors & guides who have helped me along my journey. To the women who stood in their power & showed me how to express & embody all that I am – Katherine Barnidge, Katherine Zorensky, Jolie Dawn, Miwa Mack & so many more.. To the men who showed me how to ask for what I deserve & turn my plans into action – Dennis Burnett, Ed Cohen & Justin Follin. Thank you for your endless teachings that will be with me for a lifetime.

Website: www.baileyamber.love & www.baileytoksozphotography.com
Instagram: @baileyamber

Image Credits
Bailey Toksoz Photography www.baileytoksozphotography.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.