Meet Tiara Lane

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiara Lane.

Hi Tiara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was sought out by a small modeling agency in NYC in my mid-teenage years, but my Mom had a fear of allowing me into the industry at a young age. She had a few friends in the music management realm who had influenced her decision in keeping me solely focused on school and guarding me from the pitfalls of the industry at that time.

When I left for college some years later, I had made a few friends interested in photography and we would do random photoshoots just for fun. I would get a lot of compliments about the images on social media, etc., and that eventually led me to exploring different opportunities on campus that allowed me to be in front of the camera. I partook in some small commercial film opportunities through the advertising department and modeled for my alma mater’s fashion magazine.

Acting eventually became of interest to me when I enrolled in some classes as electives, and my acting teachers would encourage me to consider it as a career. I thoroughly enjoyed each class, it never felt like work even though it entailed a lot of skill and dedication.

Both modeling and acting helped me realize I had a creative eye for certain things, and people would reach out regarding advice to start building their own creative and personal brands, fashion tips (I would style myself for photoshoots), and to even put together certain creative concepts. After a while, I figured why not turn it all into a business, and so here we are….

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. I still face challenges today especially as a freelance model trying to get signed to an agency. Despite how it seems in my pictures, I’m technically short. Most agencies want you 5’7 – 5’8 and up, and I’m 5’5.

Business-wise, my only challenge has been not being so hard on myself. I’m a perfectionist, but I’m starting to realize there’s no such thing as perfection when you’re committing to a journey that entails continuously evolving. It’s okay to want more and want to grow as a businesswoman, creative and just a person overall, but I had to stop allowing that to negate the progress and accomplishments I have already made and just enjoy the journey rather than focusing on what’s next.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to commercial print modeling, my focus right now is expanding my creative direction and styling clientele, even gaining children artists/models as clients. Dealing with CoVID put a pause on that field of work because everyone was stuck in the house for two years, and an immense amount of projects were put on pause… now that we’re back to some sense of normalcy, business is back up and running. Eventually, exploring acting in a more consistent manner is on my agenda.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that there’s a vast amount of opportunity for everyone, and it’s continuing to expand. If you’re not excelling in Atlanta, it’s honestly because you’re not doing the work. There’s so many opportunities to network here, and many have even set the blueprint to allow this city to be a place where entrepreneurship can thrive. ATL also isn’t just rich in black culture but also black success.

What I like the least is it’s a large city, but also small. Everyone knows everybody or someone who knows somebody, lol. Despite what I do, I still enjoy my anonymity, so sometimes I wonder how I’ll handle a lack of it the more my brand grows.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiaralane.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/tiaralaneofficial 

Image Credits
Eyes Of Nai Photography Christopher Zapata Darren Black DP Jolly