The divine within gives me strength and courage to face a world and industry full of rejection. I realize that I can conquer anything placed before me, I am unique in every way and that I am Fly!

 

 

 

Modeling is a very competitive industry and rejection is normal. It takes experience and research to know what a customer/photographer expects and sometimes you have no clue as to what is expected. Most of the time I am nervous going into a shoot where I have little information but in these instances I usually rely on my experience.  Also the higher me will kick in and I will go inside myself to the core of my being. Meditation has always helped me when I start to doubt myself. Before a shoot or an audition I will sit in a corner, take long and deep breaths, close my eyes, and listen to the silence of my true being.  It is here that I realize that I am limitless, I am one of a kind, and that I am flawless. It is here that I realize that I can conquer anything before me, I am unique in every way and that I am FLY!!!!

This does conflict with what others think makes me special. Most believe I should pray to GOD but I know that GOD is within me.  There is no need for me to go outside of myself to seek, that which is within.  The divine within gives me strength and courage to face a world and industry full of rejection. Each time I quiet my chattering mind called my EGO, I remember who I really am! Remembering helps me to love my natural curly hair, my full lips, full hips, my large eyes and the gap between my teeth, lol. I remember that I can rock a photo shoot, an audition and a performance because there is no one prettier or better, just different and only I can bring to the table what only I can bring! 

In the modeling industry where things come up at the last minute, you always have to be prepared. Hats and scarves are the best when you have no time to style your hair and they can be very versatile.  I will wear my scarf around my waist or neck to give an outfit a funky flair. Sometimes I will evoke Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by wrapping a scarf around my head and throwing on some shades to bring back the 60’s look. I also like to throw colorful hats into the mix to brighten up a black and white outfit. Knowing how to accessorize is what makes the photo shoot successful! Remembering who I am is what makes the photo shoot special! 

Valaira Sa-Ra Smith

 

Being Natural has taught me about who I really am inside. It has empowered me to be proud of my beauty flaws and all!