The first time I met Isaac, I was 19 years old living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We were introduced by my boyfriend at the time who had met Issac at a panel at our school that hosted the famously amazing Laverne Cox. I got a ticket at the last minute to see her speak, and afterward, there was a reception for students to meet her. Once the reception ended, my boyfriend told me about this cool and flirty person, Isaac, who lives in Michigan and models on the side. I was intrigued, I wanted to meet this mysterious new friend of his.
It was a warm Saturday in January, which is unheard of in Michigan, when the two of them set up a time for us all to hang out one weekend. I remember sitting at the bottom of this hill near the tennis courts as Isaac walked up to us confident as ever. They were wearing a red jumpsuit, a black beret, and their timbs. I’ll never forget that fit. I mean, how could you? They were tatted and beautiful and wayyy cooler than I ever imagined.Â
Later in 2018, after many more photos together, Isaac was scouted by American Eagle to do a campaign - They even had their photo up in Times Square (celebrity status, I know). Regardless of their modeling and Detroit internet clout, they always stayed humble and true to themself and even thanked me for giving them some of their first modeling portfolio work back in January.
I’ve taken so many more photos of them over the past 5 years, and whenever I look back at any of those images I can always remember what was going on in our lives - Frequently navigating new things in life and being faced with new lessons.Â
Isaac and my friendship has always been unique because we’ve always always been each other's motivators to create projects, apply to grants (shout out optiMize), and just start the things we want to start. I know that might sound simple, but to have someone in your life like that, truly means a lot. Isaac is always learning something new, taking risks, sending me Youtube videos, tweeting something that makes me laugh, and they always, always have something funny to say.Â
Over the years, we’ve shared so many memories and recorded so many interviews of each other for different photo projects, podcasts, and now even a newsletter. I’m realizing that maybe that’s the sign of a good friend - Someone that you genuinely want to learn more about and share with the world.Â
We couldn’t have picked a better first person to interview for As You Are.Â