Black, trans and unapologetic - a creative shoot with Galen Taylor

Galen Taylor recently cut her hair short for a fresh start.

Previously she had spent countless hours on all kinds of heat treatments to keep her long tresses straight and shiny not to mention pounding on the layers of makeup and putting on the fake nails. 

As a transgender woman, it was a long journey for her, from body dysphoria to acceptance. She wanted to embrace her curly afro and be the natural woman she has always been. Prior to her modeling career she worked in corporate at Wells Fargo and it was because she embodied that every day natural woman look she wanted to embrace a simple natural look. 

In this shoot, my collaborator, fashion stylist Janet Pak and I decided to follow Galen’s desire and simply show her as she is: a beautiful, vivacious model and actress who really loves her craft and is unapologetic about who she is.

For location, we picked the Fourth St shopping district in Berkeley, which has a wide variety of interesting backgrounds, and a generally fun, calm and classy upscale vibe.

Since embracing her natural hair, Galen’s modeling and acting career has blossomed. She has received more castings for her hair in its natural state than she had when it was long and straight. It has led to an increased self confidence in how she carries herself that she hadn’t felt before and she hopes her story inspires others to embrace themselves as they are.