Meet Sarah Slaykitty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Slaykitty.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m a body positive model. I’m sure most people would wonder why a short, plus sized mixed girl would get into this kind of business? Honestly it was because of a not so happy past. With my mixed heritage and uniquely different personality, I never really fit in. In school I was either bullied or ignored, and I was oftentimes called “fat”, “ugly” or “weird”.

Most of my childhood I was incredibly depressed because I believed what people said about me. I felt like I would never be beautiful, never be loved, and I would never find a place for myself. I hated myself, and it hurt so bad. As I got into my teens my mom switched jobs, and that took me out of traditional school. I was home schooled for 4 years. In that time, I was able to heal from some of my past traumas, but I was so incredibly lonely. I had always been a nerdy/geeky person, so I decided to venture out to meet other people like me. I started attending anime conventions, and that changed my life!

For the first time I felt welcomed somewhere, for the first time I didn’t feel like an outcast or weirdo, and for the first time in my life I didn’t feel lonely. I’m not kidding when I say anime conventions saved my life. Now for what this has to do with modeling: at my 4th con I met a guy, his name was Jack Stewart and he ran a company for modeling gamer girls. He asked me if I had ever modeled, and Of course my answer was “no, I’m not pretty enough for that…”. He convinced me to give it a try. “Just 1 shoot” he said “then you will know if it’s for you” I thought he was crazy or blind but something told me to do it.

I attended my first group shoot 2 months later, and I absolutely fell in love with being in front of a camera. It made me feel strong, brave and beautiful. After that I set up more and more shoots. I found an amazing friend/mentor/photographer to work with and we went to work creating shoots together. Edward Mellema of Atomic Box studios was the first really professional photographer who saw something worth building in me. He helped to teach me so much, and helped me become more comfortable in my skin.

After working with him, it was like the flood gates opened, more and more great photographers were contacting me for shoots. I continued to create and build my portfolio for 4 more years in my home state of Michigan. Eventually I decided to move to Arizona to be closer to family and it was a hard transition for my modeling. My first year here I think I only had 5 shoots. I moved from a place where I was well known to a place where I was a stranger. I contemplated giving up….

But I didn’t, almost like fate when I needed words of encouragement the most, 2 women reached out to me. Both said my photos inspired them and made them feel more comfortable in their bodies. They both said it was refreshing to see a model who wasn’t a size 2, who wasn’t 5’9″ and blonde. A model who looked like them. I felt refreshed and my fire was rekindled. I started talking to more photographers, networking and meeting people.

A couple of years past and I hit 25 really hard. There is this myth in the modeling industry that models have an expiration date and that’s 25. I felt down, old, and past my prime. I started to think if I continued I would out stay my welcome. I was telling myself that I had gotten what I needed from modeling, and maybe it was time to hang it up.

But again, at just the right time, I was contacted by a few women who told me to keep going. That I was helping them by doing what I loved. It was then I realized, I’m not just doing this for me. I’m doing this for women and girls like me. Growing up I never saw anyone in the media that looked like me. Body positivity wasn’t a thing and representation wasn’t a concept that mattered to most people.

I looked around and realized I am unique there weren’t any (and still aren’t many) plus sized models of color. I saw what I added to the world and it filled me with purpose. I knew then that I was going to model as long as I can, not just for me but for other plus girls who feel like they don’t fit in, for mixed girls who feel like they don’t belong, for nerdy girls who feel like they will never be normal, and for anyone who feels like an outcast. For all those who can’t do this for themselves I’ll be brave for them.

That was 5 years ago, and I look back now at all the art I have created and know how close I was to quitting and I’m so happy I didn’t. Modeling has introduced me to so many amazing people, I’ve made so many friends, and it really is a big part of my life. I know as I get older and when I’m finally ready to call it a day, I will be comforted in the fact that I helped people, I helped change a small corner of the earth for the better, and that’s all an ever wanted in life. *Sorry for any typos or grammar errors, I wrote this from my heart and didn’t have time to proof read.

Please tell us about your art.
I’m a model, I create photographic art. I also recently started taking photos myself as a photographer, to pass on the positivity I gained from this amazing hobby & passion I love so much. What you should know about my art:
It’s created with love. Every time I step in front of a camera or behind one I capture a piece of my soul to share with others.

What I hope people would walk away with: Emotion, love, happiness. I hope my art speaks to other people. I hope I can make others see the world how I do. But most of all I want to show other women that: even if you aren’t happy or don’t love yourself right now, you can. I used to think the absolute worst things about myself, but I’m content now. I still have my bad days where the past creeps up on me, but overall, I love myself. I can look at my photos, look at my friends, and look at myself and know I am beautiful. It took a long time but it is possible; continue your story.

Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Don’t give up! Never give up! We all have times where we lose drive, or motivation. Where we feel like we are creating for nothing, and like no one cares. But that’s not true, you are someone’s hero, and you can’t do it for you, do it for them.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Www.patreon.com/slaykitty
Www.instagram.com/Sarah_slaykitty
Www.facebook.com/slaykitty1
Www.twitter.com/slaykitty

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Sarah_slaykitty
• Facebook: Facebook.com/slaykitty1
• Twitter: Twitter.com/slaykitty
• Other: Patreon.com/slaykitty

Image Credit:
John Hays (AzSkies Photography)
Jonathan Ziegler (Electric Tiger Design)
Jane Pruitt (JP photography)
Joshuwa Long (AJE photography)
Martin Hazine (GlossyWorks)
Michael Jordan (MJ Pro Pix)
Tim Weaver (Tim Weaver Photography)
Vince Lee (Captured by Vince)

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.