BRITTANNY TAYLOR

On Discovering A Career In Photography By Accident

Brittanny Taylor is a photographer based in Providence, R.I. and works in New York, New England and beyond. Her photography focuses on branding, lifestyle, boudoir and fashion. We met at a fashion show back in 2012, and I have admired her work ever since. Now it’s your turn to go behind the lens with Brittanny.

Artisan Joy: How did you become a photographer? Brittanny Taylor: It was an accident, actually. I never planned on being a photographer. I went to college for film studies, and I wanted to be a sports documentary editor. After college, I worked for Sony retail stores and had to learn how to use their brand new DSLR camera so that I could sell them. That’s how I learned how to take photos. After that, I worked for a local camera business and ended up getting laid off. I owned a camera, so I started taking photos of models, and the rest is history.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn your craft into a business?

BT: I started in 2009 right when the 2008 financial crisis ended, but it still was hard to find a job. I realized then that I should try to make photography my thing.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration, and how do you apply it to your work?

BT: Like most photographers, I find inspiration from Instagram— mostly from influencers or business owners. I like to see how I can apply what I’ve seen and make it my own style. As much as I would love to replicate other people’s work, I can only shoot like me.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

BT: I’ve had no formal training in photography, but looking back, it was clear I was meant to be a photographer. My mother has photos of three-yearold me holding a cassette tape to my face because I thought it was a camera. I always had a point-andshoot camera in my 20s, and my friends always asked me to take photos of them. I had plenty of ideas of what I wanted to have as a career, yet photography was never one of them.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

BT: I’m an Enneagram Type 1, which is literally The perfectionist And it’s not in the job interview sense of ‘my biggest weakness is I’m a perfectionist.’ It can be quite debilitating, and there are times I feel like nothing I create is good enough, so I don’t even bother. I think the best thing a creative can do is create something that no one will ever see. It takes the pressure off when you’re not all consumed with how many Instagram likes you’ll get.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone interested in putting their art or photography out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

BT: I would say create a website and hold off on sharing it on social media. Social sites cause unnecessary pressure to produce content just for the likes. If someone wants to see your work, or if you need to share it, send your website. And honestly, it’s way more professional, in my opinion, to see a body of work in a portfolio than on an Instagram feed.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your photography? How did you handle it?

BT: I’m sure plenty of people have criticized my photography. It doesn’t really affect me because I’m proud of the work, and my clients are happy. Random comments from people not involved do not matter to me.

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

BT: I’m in a constant state of overwhelm, and I’m not proud of it. Especially as a Black woman, it is imperative that I take the time to refuel myself. I try to remember to turn it all off and do something mindless like watching funny YouTube videos or playing Animal Crossing.

AJ: Are you passionate about a cause, and why?

BT: I am currently the communications cochair for RI NOW. The organization’s mission is to create equality and equity in political, social and economic arenas. I am also co-leader for TuesdaysTogether Rhode Island, which is focused on creating community over competition with creative small business owners.

AJ: What brings you joy?

BT: Quiet time on the couch with my family, which consists of my husband and two chihuahuas. That always brings me back down to earth.

Thanks, Brittanny! You can learn more about the photographer at brittannytaylor.com or follow her on Instagram.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for clarity.

ON SWITCHING FROM A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE TO FULL-TIME CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR

Jake Kenyon is the founder of Kenyarn, which produces handdyed, small-batch wool fiber for knitting, crocheting, weaving, macramé and embroidery. He began selling his hand-dyed yarn in 2018 as a side hustle. As the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 inspired many of us to take up hobbies, including knitting and crocheting, demand for Jake’s handdyed yarn increased. The maker left his job as a speech language pathologist to pursue Kenyarn full-time in early 2021. Like the brand’s fans, we adore Kenyarn’s bold color stories. We caught up with Jake to learn more about him and his craft.

Artisan Joy: How did you begin dyeing yarn?

Jake Kenyon: Since I can remember, I have been deeply invested in the visual arts and, as a child, was thoroughly enamored with color. I loved sidewalk chalk, face painting and was always enrolled in an art class. In 2017 I began crocheting out of necessity during a particularly anxiety-inducing period of graduate school. After learning to crochet, I discovered through Instagram the world of hand-dyed yarn. After purchasing a few books and some small jars of dye, I began dyeing my own yarn in the comfort of my kitchen.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn yarn dyeing into a full-time business?

JK: I first released a small batch of yarn to an Etsy shop in 2018 and made a very limited amount of income that year. Since that time, sales have grown steadily, and in February of 2021, I left my job as a speech language pathologist to pursue Kenyarn full-time.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

JK: I find inspiration from everywhere—nature, magic, astrology, my favorite cartoon villains and even some of my favorite films. It’s such a fun experience to bring characters or concepts to life in a color palette on bare wool.

AJ: How do you apply that inspiration to your work?

JK: I really only dye from themes that deeply inspire me. If the inspiration is not there, it will not translate well to my yarn.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

JK: I think folks often assume I have been doing this my entire life. I received my master’s in speech language pathology in 2015. Then, from 2015 to 2021, I worked full-time in an acute-care hospital setting.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

JK: Yarn dyeing is very fickle. Often times a planned experiment can go completely awry. In many cases, some of my worst mistakes have actually produced my most popular colorways! I struggled with perfectionism a lot when I first started this business but have realized that my audience appreciates my authentic self and the ‘colorful chaos’ style of dyeing and visual marketing. I try to be myself 100 percent of the time, from every interaction on social media to greeting customers at in-person events!

AJ: When it comes to running a creative business, what keeps you going through the ups and downs?

JK: I think checking in with my body regularly, both physically and emotionally, is very important. I also take periodic days of rest where I completely log off social sites to really have time for myself in my own home without my business pinging in the background. I have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but trusting in your art and allowing those moments to shape you keeps me moving forward. I would be lying if I said everything I’ve ever done is a wild success! I have had some terrible failures, but I’ve learned from every one of them!

AJ: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in putting their work out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

JK: I say ‘screw the world!’ Haha, I jest. But in some ways, I’m serious. If your work brings you joy and makes you feel alive—it will have the same effect on a customer or patron. Believe me, take the risk. No one ever discovered greatness by playing it safe.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your work? How did you handle it?

JK: I tend to get criticism at in-person markets from the ‘Debbie Downers’ who ‘would never buy expensive yarn like that.’ When, in fact, they are deeply unaware of how much more eco-conscious buying sustainably sourced wool is and just how much more quality is in merino wool than the acrylic yarn you buy at a craft store. I often try to approach those moments with education rather than just convincing someone to buy my yarn. Also, if someone truly doesn’t see the value in my art, I don’t necessarily want them to have it!

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

JK: I try to stay engaged in the world and the political climate. I do often get very overwhelmed, but I try every day to use my platform to enact change and to educate folks. I am a huge supporter of civil rights, trans rights, and women’s reproductive health. Each year I try to host multiple raffles for various products in my shop. Since the start of my business, I have donated over $12,000 to various charities, including Black Lives Matter, Rainbow Railroad and Trans Lifeline. Although I can’t change the entire world, I can certainly try and change my small corner of it.

AJ: And, of course, we have to ask you this: What brings you joy?

JK: There are so many things that bring me joy. Inside of my business, I find joy in interactions with my employees, selling someone their first skein of yarn, seeing the creations people make with their Kenyarn. Outside of my business, I find joy in spending time with my partner, my best friends and my doggy niece and nephew. I love reading, knitting, using my Tarot deck and walking on the bike path!

Thanks, Jake! Kenyarn hand-dyed yarn, knitting patterns and more can be found at kenyarn.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.

Alicia Boateng designs distinctive and memorable drinkware for coffee, tea and other beverages. The glam cups feature inspiring BIPOC women accentuated with gems and beads. You may have spotted the designer’s handiwork on the “Today Show,” MSN, Food Network, “Reader’s Digest” or “Forbes.” Alicia’s determination to empower women to feel confident, powerful and beautiful while enjoying their favorite beverages fuels her brand. We caught up with the creative entrepreneur to learn more about how she got started.