We had the good fortune of connecting with Julian Tate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julian, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When it comes to my modeling and creative career, it easily feels like it’s entirely made up of taking risks. Like anything else, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of success but nothing is guaranteed. I’m going to model casting for fashion week fully aware that I’m about five inches shorter than they asked but if other shorter models can breakthrough, then why can’t I? Runway has always been harder than other modeling jobs like beauty but that just means I have to work extra harder to stand out.

The last risks I took that paid off are when I would style, produce, and sometimes photograph my own shoots that got published. I didn’t create them with the intention of getting them published but it’s such a rush to see the final product on real pages. Being able to create my own space and opportunities to model how I want while also flexing my styling and photography skills is worth any paid job

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I’m really excited about is where this modeling journey takes me, even if it’s not the traditional modeling path of being a signed model. Self portrait photography is how my modeling journey began and I really want to get back to my roots and crank it up a few notches. To me, that looks like producing and creative directing more photoshoots, scouting locations, connecting with photographers and hair & makeup artists, whether I’m modeling it or someone else. What’s funny is that I don’t think I would have known I wanted to explore this path if I hadn’t started to model in the first place. I already have a few ideas I’m working on and I can’t wait to see it all come together. Even though I’ve been doing this for a few years, I feel like I’m just getting started!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a lesbian, I would definitely curate my itinerary through a queer lens. A drag king brunch at Sorry Not Sorry by Hot Donna’s is a good place to start! The food is great, the performers always give their all, and who doesn’t like a good mimosa? If Cuties Cafe hadn’t shut down because of the pandemic, that would be another favorite spot of mine because it was bright and colorful but still warm and inviting. I know they’re trying to open a new space so I’ll probably be one of the first people in line when it opens. In the meantime, they host a lot of QTPOC-centered events so I would hit up a few of those as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My parents have always been very supportive of all of my creative endeavors and always answer the phone when I need a boost of confidence when I get discouraged. I also credit Mariah Ruff and Elii Ormond for being the first people to photograph me and give me a taste of modeling for someone other than myself. They both really helped me see the potential I have when they were following my self portrait series on Instagram.

Website: https://juliantatepowell.wixsite.com/model

Instagram: @tatertot522

Image Credits
POACH: Photographer: Nick Romi Model/Stylist/Creative Director: Julian Tate
SELF-PORTRAIT: Photographer: Julian Tate Model/Stylist/Creative Director: Julian Tate

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