As young adults in a world of opportunity, we all have goals and aspirations, but there are few people who have achieved as much so young as Brady Pappas, a 19-year-old photographer from York, Pa. He is, through and through, a great example of how hard work and dedication can take you exactly where you want to be. Anyone that knew him growing up, which includes me, recognized that his vibrant personality and passion for everything he did was going to take him to big places. Although we may not have ever been the best of friends, it has been a pleasure watching him evolve into the photographer and artist that he is today. He may have started small, but that did not stop him.

Brady got his start in high school, at York Suburban High School. There he was a part of not only theater and choir, but was actively engaged in the art program and took as many of the classes as he could. " I can honestly say that if it wasn't for the arts at that school, I would be nowhere. I've gained more knowledge from the amazing mentors in the art and music department than I have from anyone else in my entire life," Pappas said when we talked about his start, and his love for the arts program is definitely evident. Supportive teachers that have now become friends post-graduation pushed him to succeed, and he emphasized the importance of believing in creative students. He believes that his influences in school were imperative to where he is today and is rightfully heartbroken that so many schools are cutting funding for their art programs. If anyone needs validation that the arts are beneficial, they can simply look to students like Brady. Only one year after graduating from school he has flourished his own business and brand, and YSHS should be proud to call him an alum.

Petite plus sized model Jolaina

I have followed Brady's business and success for some time now, and the fact that he has gone from taking his peers' senior pictures to recently having his first editorial spread in Creativ Magazine is outstanding. He's come a long way from his old digital camera and android phone. "It's a little crazy how all of this has happened," explained in regards to the current work he's doing in New York City. Networking is key in his book, and although he is becoming an expert, he attributes much of his success in the city to Petite Plus Size Model Jolaina Peltier (Instagram & Facebook @ModelJolaina). He is immensely thankful for her investment in him and recognizes her as not only a mentor, but a friend. New York has helped Brady to broaden his horizons in many directions, having done 20+ shoots and working with a variety of different models (including animals!), designers, businesses, and bloggers. He has attended many different fashion shows, and is excited to be present at New York Fashion Week this fall. It sounds like a dream, but it is his reality, and he says he is so thankful to be able to do what he loves at such a young age. He hoped to be in the city within 5-10 years, but he's already made it, and I know for a fact he will make it so much farther in that time span.

Petite plus sized model Jolaina wearing Yhaniqua Lopes

Back home in York, PA, Brady definitely has a name for himself and his brand has spread substantially. While York may not be where he'll make it big, but it is where his support system is. Great friends and family can definitely help to build you up, especially when some of your best friends become members of your team. For about a year Brady worked alone, and then brought on TyJah Bair, his house model (aka go-to-girl for all shoots), model scout, pose coach, and assistant. TyJah and Brady are a killer duo, both in front of and behind the lens (#BestFriendGoals). TyJah says that there's something extra special and fun about working with your best friend, and it shows in their work together. Another member of the BPPA team is Shalee Ellis, whom you may recognize from the viral videos spread through Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, and many other outlets showing her adorable daughter's reaction to finding out one of her parents was trans. Shalee is not only an amazing hair and makeup artist and model, but she is also his themed shoot producer, and together they have produced amazing, creative pieces, including "Frostbitten", a winter shoot and "All Monsters Are Human", a scarily amazing Halloween shoot. Shalee says Brady is a "breath of fresh air" in the photography industry and is honored to not only call him a colleague, but a friend as well. The last member of the team is Shawn Bair, owner of Barefoot Daughter Design & Artistry; she is responsible for hair and makeup artistry and her jewelry and stylings have been featured in several shoots. "We're like the Fantastic Four of the entertainment industry. I truly love them," Pappas says, and as someone who has worked with this team, you can definitely feel the love.

TyJah Bair

Brady may have come from a small town, but that never held him back, and he wants people to see that it doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you dream big and work hard, you can make it anywhere. As he continues on to even bigger and better things please follow the links below to keep up with what he's working on, along with his spectacular team.

To view Brady's amazing portfolio, including the themed shoots mentioned above, check out his website, or his facebook. Stay tuned for his Neon Enlightenment project, and see his Facebook page for details!