Inspiration .
A lot of my creative vision & ideas came from Naya when I first picked up my camera. A lot of the ideas I wanted to pull off when working with my friends stemmed from something I saw Naya do. I loved viewing her work, whether it was a photo shoot at some point. Some of my ideas stemmed from something she posted while attending a red carpet event (awards shows, premieres, etc.).
I used to repost a lot of Naya on my original Tumblr & I have a Pinterest board filled with photoshoot ideas & a lot of pins in it are of Naya’s many photoshoots & candid shots in her everyday attire. I viewed it often when trying to come up with new ideas. She had incredible style.
Even before I bought my camera, I would buy her magazine covers (I still have them all) & flip through to see the images to get ideas of what I wanted to do once I did have enough money to buy a camera. Once I got my camera, I would go to that Pinterest board or go to her Instagram to find new styles & ideas to have my friends try out.
I would just be in awe of her. I loved her hair, makeup, outfit, her overall presence. Her whole style just demanded your attention in every damn shot.
She was breathtaking.
A lot of the credit goes to her whole team, to the person who did her hair, to the person who did her makeup, to the person who took the photo. It was to the point even I decided to follow their work & see what else they had done. Naya was really great at putting people’s work out there. Naya knew it took a village to make an incredible shot. & she was never shy about giving credit where it was due. & they were complete geniuses when making visions come to life on a human subject.
But I always say that the model makes the image, no matter how much you doll her up, or edit the shots. Naya was the shot. Not everyone can grab your focus, but Naya consistently grabbed mine.
I felt the need to post this so y’all can understand her impact. Naya truly inspired the visions you see on my Instagram. She will always be the first Instagram I check when looking for new ideas to try.
She will always be a source of inspiration for me.
Naya, I will miss you to forever. Your legacy will forever live in me.
Rest in Heaven Miss Naya Marie Rivera
** Photo taken by Solmaz Saberi.