We had the good fortune of connecting with Jazmyn Ray-Maynard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jazmyn, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I aspire for my legacy be of creativity, confidence, and culture! I want people to remember me and my work and see how it has impacted the art community by inspiring, connecting, and encouraging those who were around me! I love art, always have and I never want to stop creating. There is something so special about expression and storytelling!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always had a hard time putting myself into a box. I am an artist, do a bit of it all but my main mediums are photography, modeling and dance/choreography. I started dancing at eleven which is old for a dancer. I fell in love with it and gave it my all! I got injured back in the summer of 2015 but kept dancing, ignoring the torn cartilage in my hip for another two years until my body gave out on me. My injury has caused me to change focus and back in 2017 I stumbled back into photography, where I picked up my love for it right where I left it. During this time I was also modeling, I describe myself as a “funsized model” like a candy bar! I am four feet and eleven inches tall, although I am short I have been able to walk runways, be published in magazines, model for brands and boutique, and much more! My journey has been filled with many twist and turns but with each one it has made my story more exciting! One of the biggest struggles for me has been taking a break from dance to heal from my injury, which has now turned into arthritis. Dance is still apart of me therefore I continue to choreograph and teach when given an opportunity. There is nothing live sharing the love of dance and seeing the sparkle in your students eyes! I plan to get back to dance as soon as possible! As I heal I am focusing on inspiring others to pursue their dreams, find confidence, and embrace their beauty! I use my platform with @jraymayphotography to aid in this process by showing my clients the beauty others see in them and their work. I am also working on expanding my brand @jazmynraymay into more fields, most recently YouTube! There are many other amazing things in the works that will continue to connect artists/creators, build community, generate confidence, and make dreams plans, then plans realities!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am going to give y’all my pre-covid itinerary for Dallas! I am not a heavy breakfast kind of gal so I would recommend starting with a Oat Milk Chai tea latte from @1418coffee in downtown Plano! They are one of the top coffee shops in the DFW and my personal favorite! After you have your latte hop on the dart train and go downtown! Little bit of shopping at Park lane and Mockingbird Station. (Maybe skip on other to Northpark mall) Once you got your shopping out of the way zip on over to the dallas art museum! Plus at the park over the highway in dallas there are some food trucks (perfect for an afternoon snack!) OR go to @sweettoothhotel for a photoshoot That evening head back to downtown plano and get a slice of The NYC pizza at Zalots! (Another favorite) Next day I would recommend spending it in west plano/frisco! Brunch at Earl’s kitchen in Legacy west (gotta get a cucumber mojito) Head out to denton for some thrifting and vintage shopping around the square Then glow in the dark night paddle boarding with @dfwsurf at Little Elm beach/lake Lewisville Start another day off at @heriloomhaul at The Star (training facility for the Dallas Cowboys) if you are a tea/coffee shop person like me you will LOVE this! They even have a traditional tea with mini sandwiches and macaroons!! Explore the Star then go grab a smoothie bowl from @nekterjuicebar If you have time pop into a @hiphopheels dance class one night so you can feel sexy and get in a great work out! Spend a Saturday night salsa dancing at Gloria’s in Addison or swing dancing at sons of Herman hall! An evening in Deep Ellum bar hopping with some friends! Lastly The Dallas botanical garden and arboretum! I grew up going there and it’s my FAVORITE place in all of Dallas!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many AMAZING people I would like to shine the spot light on and thank for getting me to where I am but as cliche as it sounds the main two people I would like to recognize are my parents! My parents saw my passion for art at a very young age and encouraged me to explore all corner of the artistic community! From private art lessons to belly dance classes, my parents allowed to develop into the bundle of creativity I am today!

Website: Jazmynraymay.com
Instagram: @jazmynraymay @jraymayphotography
Twitter: @jazmynraymay
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_GFx2u62XaVQncdAhwPXg

Image Credits
@jraymayphotography @antondudleyphotography @jpricephoto @jrniephotography

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