Nothing is Still Something

        No matter where you are in life, the moment you choose to begin a new experience, you're change your life forever even if, yes, you do nothing. Deciding you will start running every morning or five times a week? Congrats! You have altered your mindset forever. Decided to travel the world? Great! You have altered your mindset forever. Have you elected a new friendship? Fantastic! You have altered your mindset forever. How you have chosen to alter yourself, however, is up to you. You have two options: The first is to fully pursue this new endeavor. Consequently, you may meet new people, experience new sights, and gain life experience points. The second is to do nothing, which may result in "would-a, should-a, could-a" mentality or a self-esteem lowering. Regardless of what you choose, your decision, period, will change you. 

        Modeling is my thing. Networking makes me happy. Using my body to create pictures that are worthy of hanging in a gallery or a wall at home makes me happy. Being true to myself makes me happy. I was tossing around the idea about starting my journey as a model for about a week. "To hell with it!" I told myself. "I would rather try it, than never know and wonder." I did it. I continue to do it, and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have chosen to do.

        I had the opportunity to do a semester abroad in Spain. I wanted to go. I decided to go. The idea of borrowing someone else's money, however, to support my adventure was dishonorable. I had the support, both monetarily and emotionally, but asking for help in funds made me uncomfortable. Truth be told, it still does. I had the option to work my butt off and obtain at least a good portion of that money myself - if not all. But, I opted not to. I ended up talking myself down and thinking I couldn't do it, despite how much I wanted to. There's more history to that story, but the point remains: My decision to do go on this trip changed me as it was one more Domino that fell and shriveled in it's lifelessnes. I was acting out a helpless story, which was how I felt, in many ways, at the time. This decision fed that story and fire.

        If you decide to do something, I want to encourage you to follow through and do it with a realistic mindset. There is nothing wrong with putting a pause on a plan to re-evaluate what you believe you will be doing and how you will be doing it. As you go through the decision making process, be aware as to why you're doing what you're doing as well. Having ill intentions for yourself or others may not hurt you now, but what come's around goes around. Be selfish and make a decision for yourself. Plan. Work for it. Read motivational blogs or books. Immerse yourself. Just do it. (Insert Nike Logo Here)

With <3,

Aina

        

            Photographer: MSlygh

Fighting Yourself on Your Own Turf

      I have allowed myself to be put through the ringer and pushed myself down a hole or two. I'll admit it. Initially, especially on websites like Model Mayhem, glamour modeling is HUGE! Initially, some of it was pretty. Some of it. Was. After a while of doing my own research, partaking in the genre, networking with the masses, I came to determine that I am not a glamour model - not in the typical American sense at least. While I firmly believe that we can be anything that we want to be, I also firmly believe in acknowledging the limitations due to the cards in your hand. 

                      Photographer: MSlygh

       I am me. I am an artistic nude model. I'm an artistic nude model with a sex appeal switch. I'm an artistic nude model who can pull of some sexy pictures without the need for a big rack (my blessings went down to my ass - for those of you who didn't know). I have also come to acknowledge that perhaps my distate for glamour modeling stems from an overwhelming type of people that I ultimately end up surrounded by. I have met very few people who were less than honorable, but it's simply not very satisfying to me as an artist to have sex appeal all the damn time. Not THAT type of sex appeal. 

       I am me. I'm not a sex object. I love sex. I love being sexy. I love pictures of my sexy self being sexy. But what I love most is this beautiful body that I have been gifted by the Universe. It's meant for greatness - spiritually, physically, mentally, and all wrapped up in one satin red bow. (SIde note: Many people, including myself, like being objectified - even if just for a moment at times. When every shoot I participate in revolves around this objectification, I don't feel as human and, in turn, like I'm not living life the way I should and strive to.)

       I am me. I love glamour. I love artistic nudes. I love cosplay. I love fashion. Hell, I even love tasteful bondage! In no way will I ever bash any sort of genre, but I do implore that you experience more than one genre and determine which one feels like it clicks with your soul. It doesn't have to just be one! I've begun my genre as a cosplayer, glamour, artistic nudes, life style, fashion, etc. I like being me. Me has many facets - and it shows in the projects I do as a model. Don't limit yourself. Have fun. Say yes. Say no. Smile. Get pissed. Fight for someone else. Respect yourself. But never say that you "just can't do it" because "you don't have what it takes". Liars don't get very far in life.

With <3,

AIna