Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha James.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I needed a bigger prosthetic for my SFX portfolio in order to work on major sets in Atlanta in 2013. So in memory of my mother and grandmother, who told me they were mermaids when I was growing up, may they rest in peace. I decided to make a silicone tail.
Little did I know I was not going to need that credit for my portfolio after my tail went viral. I realized how many people wanted it and wanted to shoot in it, I decided to make a business out of it. I did not know in 2013 that there was an actual mermaid community. I thought I was the first company to provide silicone tails. I’m not the first company but I am the first black-owned company and the first black tail maker in the world.
I didn’t sell my tails at first, I rented them out all over the world instead. Getting the opportunities to work with celebrities on music videos, reality shows, short films, parties, etc. I then started to build and make more costumes and started designing my own sets and filming my own short films and started offering photoshoots as a services. My service list has since grown larger making my company a production company now.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I ran into trouble when the Atlanta weather started changing. It rains here now year around and it doesn’t get as warm as it use to in the spring and summer, and my workshop was underground. So temps were not ideal for tail making and on top of that, my workshop started leaking badly adding moisture to the air. The silicone wouldn’t cure properly and this is around the time I decided to sell my tails. People were getting the tails and they were falling apart because they hadn’t properly cured. I ended up having to give out 12 refunds in total. And deal with the bad talk on social media. I was discouraged but the pandemic sorta saved me.
Because my business wasn’t essential I was able to take two years away from the business and restructure my company. I still make tails but only for my productions, not to sell.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I run a production company. We offer photoshop/special effects services for photos and video. As well as photography and videography services. We also offer costume designs, as well as props and set building.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Reaching out to people you admire and want to work with. It’s literally worked every time for me. A closed mouth don’t get fed is how I was raised.
Pricing:
- Photography services $150-$500
- Videography services $500-$2500
- Photo editing services $50- $400
- Video editing services $150-$5000
- Costume/props/sets $400-$5000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Najesticent.com
- Instagram: @najesticent
Image Credits
Jessica Bailey did the first one and Anthony Hunt of Ant Hunt Productions did all the rest
