Amy Taylor is a native Californian. While spending nearly most of her life working as a published model, she also received her undergraduate degree in Berkeley, MBA in Los Angeles, and commercial pilot’s licenses in Arizona. When she’s not found in front of the camera, she’s enjoying the sunny skies flying, keeping fit at her gym in Los Angeles, or at the beach playing with her dog. Miss Taylor has been the cover of magazines such as Maxim or Playboy.
Who is Amy Taylor, the person?
Well, I’m an ENTJ, if you’re into the Myers-Briggs thing. I think it’s a fairly accurate description of me, perhaps? I’ve accomplished some things I’m proud of in my years on earth (a graduate degree, commercial pilot’s licenses, lots of hobbies and interests, travel, achieved some degree of independence and planned for my future, and also given a great deal back to family and charity). However, I have some weaknesses (I write people off maybe too easily if I dislike them, I can lack compassion for people who behave in ways I don’t like). I suppose my strengths and weaknesses are actually the same thing: I’m exceedingly interested in being a person who makes the most of my short life, and I like only people who do the same. I’m not much for drama and wasted time, and therefore I’m a person of action who likes the same sort of personality in others. It’s very important to me to not have wasted my time on the planet…and so far, I think I’ve definitely been the person I’ve wanted to be, in that sense.
Introduce us to a day in your life.
On days that I’m home, I typically wake up around 7 a.m., walk my dog, shower and dress, have breakfast and coffee, and work on the computer through lunch. After lunch I work out—weights, cardio, then yoga. I then run any needed errands and do any needed housework, and by the late afternoon/early evening I get ready for whatever plans I have in the evening with friends, clients, family, or by myself. I get home from those plans late at night, walk the dog again, and go to sleep before midnight.
On days that I’m out of town, the day can vary: I might spend the entire day at a spa, in nature, being a tourist, trying new foods, or just stay in bed by myself or even better, with someone special (wink)!
Why was it important for you to pursue additional educational opportunities?
I have a thirst for knowledge (it’s probably genetic; both of my parents have advanced degrees and worked in universities). Simply put, I have a high degree of inborn curiosity, causing an internal motivation to love intellectual pursuits. There are plenty of other avenues for the interested mind than going to Berkeley and getting an MBA, as I did, but for me the degrees were passports into a world of working and learning around other intelligent, curious, like-minded people. Of course it was also an investment, a certificate that gave me higher earning potential when I worked for a company after my MBA (before I became a professional pilot), so there were pragmatic reasons to obtain the education I did. The nonmaterial awards of social standing and prestige are unimportant to me, but they fulfill my family’s ambitions of having children who were well-educated…so it made my parents happy. Didn’t cancel out their unhappiness at me modeling nearly naked, haha, but perhaps quelled some of their fury at my other choices!
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
I try to eat somewhat healthfully; however, I don’t deny myself enjoyment. I’ve eaten Paleo, and sure, my body gets even better (I’ll do that before photo shoots). But I drink wine, eat bread, enjoy chocolate…this is a short life, and I’m not going to skip delicious food just to have even leaner muscles. Food is one of life’s pleasures…I’m here to taste all of life.
You have featured in top magazines like Maxim, Playboy, etc. Give us your Top 3 Tips to give your best shot in a magazine photoshoot.
1. Eat healthfully the weeks prior to the shoot; slender looks better on camera, so be a few pounds lighter than normal. You can eat that pizza after the shoot, haha.
2. Use bronzer with shimmer; when the lights pop, your skin will be beautiful
3. Learn your angles so that you’re aware of what camera sees (practice in the mirror). Be able to deliver 10-20 solid shots, so that you’re not wasting the crew’s time.
What is your greatest life achievement thus far?
Becoming myself in a world that was trying to make me into someone who made me miserable. My life has been a work in progress so far, with little successes and monumental failures, but I’ve been fortunate to experience many wonderful things and survive many horrifying ones. So honestly, thriving and living my truth has been the only achievement about which I know has value, in the years I’ve been alive so far.
Photo Credits:
Photographer: IG @johnnyshotdigital
PR Agency: SGG Public Relations / IG: @Sggpublicrelations
Makeup and hair: IG @bridgetzglam
Wardrobe stylist: IG @thenomadfashionista
