I remember the first time I thought to remove myself from a frame. It was after a particularly uncomfortable interaction with a photographer who had the idea to transfer our creative chemistry to a romance. I found myself questioning the validity of our connection, of the artwork that was born of it. I'd no intention of engaging in romance (or hedonism for that matter). Only the love, the joy of creation. I found my womanhood being questioned, challenged, and weaponized as my sultriness was condensed into a lustfulness; Moreover, not for the woman, but for the image of her... Not because I was seen as a woman, but an object come to life. 

​

Through veiled intimidation, the photographers interaction regarded me to questioning my value in these situations -- as the photographer stated, with certainty, theirs.

​

 I found myself asking, "What if I just walked away...?"

​

"What do I stand to lose if I just refuse? If I simply say, no. If I gamble the access to their talent so I never have to feel this way again.."

​

And Agency was born. 

I realized something.

​

I told the photographer simply. "Take me out of the frame".

"Pardon me?" they said. 

"Considering your implication that your talent is the prize and the value here, take me out of the frame."

"Then there would be nothing there."

"Exactly."

​

Agency was born of the necessity for creators, especially models, to take OWNERSHIP in their work. In an industry where the power imbalance rests in gender, I reclaimed my Agency in the work I produce, in the work that is born of my spirit, my blood, my pain, my triumphs, my duality, my womanhood...I reclaimed my space. 

​

I reclaimed my authenticity. My professionalism. My certainty. My V A L U E. I, reclaimed Agency of ME.

Without the muse, there is no message. 

​

Agency is the marriage of the muse and the messenger as O N E.