Conversations with Trisha Kay Holton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trisha Kay Holton. 

Hi Trisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in a small rural town of Michigan although my journey in work and exploration has brought me to 23 countries so far as well as some years of living in Los Angeles, California. Thrill-seeking, overcoming odds, helping others, satiating curiosity, and the power of invention push me to do big things. Some of my interests include volunteering for children with terminal illness, rollerskating my heart out, spending time with family, watching horror flicks, grooving to a bizarre mix of music, eating spicy and sweet food. Encounters with wild animals have shown me that the kindness of strangers can extend even to the scariest of creatures. These include but aren’t limited to lions, sharks, alligators, and poisonous snakes. Believe it or not, a bear kissed me once…I have proof! My experience in professional modeling has lasted about a decade. The position has opened so many doors and led to some incredible opportunities in my previously simple world. This gave me a lot of insight into self-discovery, confidence, danger, creativity, skills, and knowledge of what happens behind the scenes of stunning images as well as productions. 

Art has always enthralled me – it was easy to turn many things into it! From passionate painting, makeup experimentation, expressive posing, writing poetry to playful cooking, flowing dance, even ridiculous humor, and meaningful photography. As a little girl in elementary school, I would use disposable cameras and “bribe” my sister with my toys or snacks to let me style, direct, and shoot her as my model. All of these sets had themes…reflecting on that now, they were actually a whole vibe of foreshadowing! It wasn’t long after when I first discovered how to use a computer as a child in a transitional time of technology that found playing with the digital side of imagery excited me. Throughout my teen years, I would borrow cameras from friends and family since I couldn’t afford my own. When the time came for senior photos, I convinced my grandma to use her basic camera and take some basic photos of me on her country property. She was reluctant on her abilities, the medium, and ultimately the quality of the results. Nonetheless, we did the little impromptu shoot and made a wonderful memory in the process. She did fabulous with only a bit direction! Afterward, I used a free online editing program to make the pictures seem more professional. They turned out quite charming and actually gained much praise. The best part was the delight of my grandma at what we crafted together. Despite having literal thousands of professional photos of myself, these will always be some of my favorite. This just goes to show that when you have a goal and the desire to support it, you can manifest super neat things into existence. 

As you may gather from the descriptions and stories I’ve provided, the camera and I have had quite the chemistry over the years. After years of modeling, I purchased a real high-performance camera and started networking with connections I had made in the field to learn how to produce my own photos. This is how Trisha Kay Photo came about. My genre of photography has included weddings, couples, family, scenery, and fashion. Capturing nature and humans is very rewarding because they can provoke such emotion when brought out in the right light. I love to take something (anything really!) and make it better. Design is special because everyone has something different that they see; in front of them and in the back of their mind. Staying true to your own inner vision can be such a rewarding, challenging, humbling, and riveting escapade! 

I currently have a degree in Marketing and Applied Management which I use to work as a brand ambassador that promotes, builds, and draws attention to companies that contract me. It is very enticing! With the use of my photography and communication skills, I envision that I can work more for doing aesthetic product, event, portrait, or location shoots. The possibilities are truly endless when you follow your heart, trust your higher power, listen to your intuition, and believe that you are capable of accomplishing anything! Besides promotional marketing, I also do freelance photography and I sell my abstract paintings. Other fields I have worked in include healthcare, sales, and personal training. It is never too late to reinvent yourself and chase a new dream! In the future, I may desire to use some of the tools I’ve acquired in the industry to be a creative director for shoots, campaigns, public relation stunts, and other marketing material. 

I am months away from earning my second business-related degree with honors of PHI THETA KAPPA and a 3.9 GPA. I plan to have a third degree within the next two years although the details are still being considered as I have had interest come from major schools regarding my attendance including University of Michigan, Cornell University, and Columbia University. WHO WOULD’VE GUESSED?! 

Treating people with sincere quality is important to me. It is my view that when you give good, you get good back. There was much adversity in my early life that I overcame including losing a sister to suicide, being bullied, facing abuse, battling depression, and surviving poverty. Those scenarios have given me deep appreciation for my limited and unique time here in this world. They made me stronger when I had to face more trauma later on in life such as the death of my father, explicit interactions, toxic relationships, and certain situations that are too haunting to mention. The accomplishments I made after climbing away from the darkness have brought tears of joy to my eyes and light in my heart. I would’ve never believed some of these extraordinary things were possible for me considering the background I come from. My gratitude for the fate I’ve endured and my drive to inspire others is immense! We will see where the universe takes me but no matter what – who I am will remain. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! However, massive value can develop from extreme hardship. A lesson was gained from every terrible event that occurred in my realm. They all shaped me. In a way, they refined me to be better. Sometimes the sharp edges still cut and reminders of the pain I suffered creep in like sneaky assailants. 

I mentioned a couple of the difficult circumstances I have faced during my life including the loss of loved ones, suffering from blatant abuse, navigation through poverty, dealing with being bullied, along with some tragedy that is too unspeakable to share. The impact that trauma from private family affairs had on me was mammoth. It hindered my youth as it felt like there was a big black cloud of melancholy surrounding that kept me silent and self-destructive during my early teen years. When I finally reached the realization that my reality could be phenomenal, it was like being born again. Falling in love with life after so much hardship made me so thankful to witness it. Breaking away from what held me down proved to me that I was capable of triumph and I could show others that they were too. A couple of hot tears are shed once in a while when I allow myself to reflect on parts of the past, although they are quickly replaced with authentic joy for the fact that I can change the future. 

My art is influenced by all the experiences I’ve embraced. Some of that is dreadfully dark, while some is blindingly bright…but I wouldn’t alter any of it if I could because it formed me. It pushed my limits, broadened my horizon, deepened my soul. Because of my awareness, I have the ability of empathy that allows me to help others who battle similar adversity. Because I know true pain, I can thoroughly enjoy every ounce of pure pleasure I’m granted. I am honestly so blessed just to be alive after everything. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What art that I specialize in professionally consists of modeling, photography, and painting. All of these are activities in which I pour myself into unapologetically. 

Modeling may be what I am most known for – I have done commercial, print, runway, trade show, etc. Most of my following in the virtual world probably came from my expertise in this sector. 

Photography is what I love to do to demonstrate how much serene beauty exists in the world! I also love to capture love. Seeing emotion, colors, and elements through the lens is a remarkable venture. 

Painting is where I just get to get really weird. There are no rules in that arena. It is stupendous. 

I am most proud of how I had the bravery to pursue my dreams even when they didn’t seem possible which goes hand in hand with my ability to inspire others to do the same! 

The thing that truly sets me apart from others is that I am full of ideas. My mind works in odd ways but it leads to interesting outcomes. They may be unpredictable or unorthodox yet they are all quite special! My ambition knows no bounds. When I commit to a vision, nothing can interfere with my persistence to it. I am open to adapting to different concepts, determined to reach success, willing to go above and beyond to ensure that my art is meaningful. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
In order to work with me, you can contact me directly in a variety of ways for booking or commissioned art: 

*Email 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

*Linked in 

www.linkedin.com/in/trishakayprofessional 

*Instagram 

@itstrishakayhey 

@trishakayphoto 

@trishakayart 

*Facebook 

www.facebook.com/loveiswhatigotrememberthat 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trishakayofficial.tumblr.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/itstrishakayhey
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveiswhatigotrememberthat
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/trishakayprofessional 

Image Credits
Davide Anderson
Trisha Kay Holton