Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Miss Britney Rae. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Miss Britney, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I surround myself with people, places, and things that remind me that I’m alive. I want my work to have an authentic purpose and make a real difference in the world. I travel a lot for the life experiences, which in turn become invaluable life skills and knowledge that I can then process, translate, and pass on through my art. Building and sustaining deep bonds and connections with fellow artists and thinkers I meet along the way is essential as well. When I find a genuine connection, I am able to share myself with someone else in the most natural way – a part of me that’s truly comfortable in my own skin. I have many complexities that make up who I am, who I am becoming, and I am intending on embracing them all. I have an innate passion to challenge corrupted ideologies around me that try to tell me who I should be. It takes more than a spark – it requires an all-consuming fire to be authentic in a world constantly trying to minimize or erase your existence. I don’t work just for practical reasons or waste my energy overworking at a job I hate. I trust that what I do must have a deeper purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Britney Rae, also known as Miss Britney Rae, is an internationally published alternative model, self-portrait artist, photographer, and digital retoucher, born in San Diego, California, and currently based in Los Olivos, California. I have been inspirited by the arts from an early age, so as I grew into my early twenties, I had a lot of unrealized ideas that alternative portraiture allowed me to transcend these visions further. Each creation holds a space for me for process my most complex and difficult emotions. By objectifying my ‘dark side’ in a photograph, I can then separate who I am as a whole from what I dislike and open up a space for catharsis or renewal. Self-portraiture (and modelling) has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I’ve been shooting as a coping method to my PTSD brought upon by many years of trauma. As I have carried this for most of my life, I’ve chosen to photographically depict this battle and its constant presence. Every photo I collaborate on is a conscious choice to heal and every moment dedicated to my healing sets me free. It is my way of regaining a sense of empowerment and self-love. I have (since 2016) expanded to shooting others in similar genres in hopes of bringing them the same joy and liberation I feel behind the lens. I am, among many others, trying to make a name for themselves whilst aspiring to break barriers and bring confidence to others along this journey. The things I’ve taken away from alternative/pinup/erotic imagery and texts, I incorporate in my personal relationships and daily life. Like any good composition, all the components must flow and work together. My creations are an extension of the self, and the result being my own path unfolding.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Communication, comprehension, and tenacity. You can speak your truth, but if no one understands what you’re trying to communicate, translation is lost and misunderstandings take place. This can prolong success or anything you want to achieve. When you understand something fully and can explain it simply, the fortitude to bring forward that message becomes vital. I think, when beginning your creative journey, it’s less about having it all figured out, and more about trusting yourself and sticking to it. If you pander to other people all the time, sure, it may work out for you in the short-term, but it’s not going to make you happy. If you can look at what you do and look within yourself, sincerely, and love it, you’re further along than most.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Always! I greatly prioritize safety and creative freedom. I am very involved in all of my artistic endeavors. Having a shared and inspired vision with those I work with makes the creative process so much more fun and enjoyable when collaborating. If you’re passionate about what you do, open-minded, and enjoy exchanging knowledge and concepts to create work we can be equally proud of, I’m in. I’ve also been doing this for over a decade, so that fortunately saves others a lot of time and energy as I am easy going, but concise. My hourly rates are flexible, and I greatly appreciate poignant and professional inquiries. To book and connect with me, please feel welcome to message me via email or through DM on my official socials. I encourage folks to reach out any time if you have questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/missbritneyrae
- Instagram: @missbritneyrae
- Facebook: @missbritneyrae
- Twitter: @Miss_BritneyRae
