James McLeod-NYC

When I discovered James' Instagram, his striking aesthetics fascinated me instantly. His skin resembled a beautiful marble sculpture. Since he lived in NYC, a city I often visit, I couldn't resist asking for a photoshoot. Lucky for me, he enthusiastically agreed. It surprised me that this was his first professional photoshoot ever. When he shared our photos on his Instagram, CR Fashion Book promptly approached him for their September issue. It brought me immense joy that my courage in reaching out for a shoot indirectly created an opportunity for him too.

“James McLeod is a personal trainer an motivational speaker from Westchester, New York. His journey began in a humble neighborhood, raised solely by his mother while his father battled addiction. Early on, he faced the challenge of vitiligo—a skin condition causing pigmentation loss—leading to bullying during his school years. In response, he took a misguided path, engaging in drug-related activities that ultimately led to a decade behind bars.

Yet, post-prison, James transformed his narrative. He reclaimed his life's course, transitioning into a motivational speaker with a profound purpose—to guide young minds away from similar pitfalls and toward a positive trajectory.”