Meet Trailblazer Octavia Schofield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavia Schofield.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Octavia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My initial interest in photography began in HS (Zion Benton Township High School in Illinois). I had a film photography class and learned the basics of taking pictures and how to develop the film. From then on, I knew that I had a gift. Shortly after graduating high school my love for photography grew while I attended college at Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL). I had the option of studying in the film programs at Full Sail but chose to obtain my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Entertainment Business instead.

In 2010, my Tayk-One brand was officially created. The name of my business “Tayk-One Photography” was solely inspired by my youth Pastor (Donnell Colbert). My name is Octavia, but most people either call me “Tay” or “Tay Tay”. So that’s how Tayk-One was formed. I would walk up to people with my camera and ask if I could “Tayk-One,” lol.

Photography has always been a hobby for me and honestly, I did not use to take it as seriously as I do today. After college back in 2012, my inspiration and overall vibe just was not evolving as much as I had hoped. I think that it mostly had to do with the type of environment that I was living in and the people that I would be around. Everything felt pretty “basic” to me and before I knew it, photography quickly became a side hustle and not a gift that I was trying to fulfill.

But then, I moved to Atlanta in March 2019 and my life immediately changed!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I live my life by trusting and appreciating the process. The journey hasn’t been a smooth road, but I appreciate each day along with the highs and lows. There are some moments when I feel like everything is coming together and then BOOM… life happens. We cannot predict our future or the road that we will take to reach our goals. All we can do is trust the process and appreciate the minor setbacks as learning opportunities. Remember that each minor setback brings a major comeback!

You know the phrase “practice makes perfect”? Embed that into your minds and literally practice your craft each day. A little goes a long way. So, if you’re spending time studying your craft and practicing what you’re learning, then how could you not be one step closer to your goals each day? If you truly love what you do, then no one will have to force you to put in the work. That’s all you will be able to think about doing!

I would like to inspire young women to just stay focused and in your lane. Do not dwell on what others are doing or how fast they reach their goals. Stay in your lane! You do not know what it took for that person to get to that point in their lives. All you can see is what they show you.

Stay faithful, manifest exactly what you want, and act as if you already have it! I am still on this journey and enjoying every part of it.

We’d love to hear more about Tayk-One Photography.
I am a photographer and my passion is to travel around the world to capture the beauty of people within their culture. I focus primarily on the candid moments because that’s where the purest, yet unfiltered truths reside. I create through Photography, Videography, and Writing while sharing my artistry with the world.

I am based in Atlanta, GA but will travel across the world to Tayk-One! One day, I will be well-known internationally and will be working with fashion/travel magazines and people within the entertainment industry. Just wait and see! (Manifesting)

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
The most important piece of advice that I could give to a young woman starting her career is to stay in your lane. I’ve mentioned this earlier, but it’s such a vital part of growth. Know what you’re striving towards and give your all. Stay in your lane and do not focus on what everyone else is doing! We all play our own parts in life. Why spend time dwelling on what everyone else is doing when you can master what you have going?

Keep an open mind and always remain teachable. You can never know too much :-).

Contact Info:

• Email: taykonephotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: Taykonephotography
• Facebook: Tayk-One Photography

Image Credit:
Tayk-One Photography

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