"Jay Kelly,The Soho Gentleman"

On the streets of Soho, I came across a cool gentleman, as he brushes on his life as an independent artist and his perspective on what it feels like to be shot by photographers on the streets. He also goes on to voice his thoughts on the power of networking as well as the social standards of interaction and communication. All to which have its benefits in the world of artistry.

I appreciate The Q.SPS Photo-Walk in that sense of networking and the community of dope photographer geeks I have gotten the chance to know. It was like a refresher after being stuck in quarantine from the pandemic. The confidence to get back and shoot was real! I'll be back in the streets again soon. -Staz 3.0

Hopeton's Everyday Hustle

Last month, I was introduced to a 26 year old name Hopeton Fisher. He reached out to me via Instagram to connect for work. From that moment, there was an instant connection between us. This photoshoot was a true blessing and honor because it was a great start for Hopeton to pursue his career as a high fashion model. This gentleman is full of drive, spunk , and tenacity that the world will definitely appreciate. Speaking with Fisher, I was intrigued to learn about his strenuous life journey and pursuit towards being a successful African American male model. Once he accomplishes this dream, he hopes to serve as a role model for other young men like him.

Tell the world about yourself,

"My name is Hopeton Fisher. I am 26 years old. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York . In the beginning of my journey, I was just the ordinary go to school every day kid who still failed most of his classes. I had no interest in school work or a scantron. I would just day dream every day in the classroom setting. Throughout my time in high school, I’ve had three dreams that seemed pretty much impossible. I either wanted to be an Olympian boxer like Muhammad Ali, a savior/ hero like the way Rambo, or a timeless fashion model just like Tyson Beckford, Naomi Campbell, and the many others who paved the runway. So I joined the Marine Corp at the age of 20 to try to live that Rambo gunslinging high tempo dream with no car, and I had a daughter on the way. I've been through a traumatizing failing relationship. I even moved to another state to my second duty station as an infantry marine with a lot of stress racing through my body. Although I felt that I was failing at everything, I’ve managed to find solutions to my problems by constantly reminding myself that pain was always temporary. In little to no time of a deployment, hard labor, constant sleepless nights, and lack of funds in my accounts,  I’ve turned out alright now following my modeling dream that originally seemed unattainable. I’ve kept the tempo of looking for multiple photoshoots.  I wake up every morning at 4:15 and  workout till 5. I go to work and  constantly search for modeling opportunities just so I can sooner than later make it to where I have to be . I’ll continue to keep working hard till I fulfill my dream to its entirety. I will make sure my daughter can look at me as her greatest teacher of how trial and error will one day manifest an incomparable and successful story that will make her proud."

    You can find more of his work on his Instagram @hopeton and more from our shoot on @bysaywordstaz. In the meantime check out my video I shot to get a quick look about Hopeton   

Live Free, Stay Fly & Spread The Word?! 

- Staz 

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