Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Merin.

Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I’m not sure how I got here, but I am incredibly grateful. Coming from a place of complete desolation where I was mired in years of addictive eating disorder behaviors to my current space of building my confidence through modeling and putting myself out there, I know understand that nothing is impossible. As a child, I hid a lot as I always felt like there was something wrong with me. Looking back now, I can see that depression riddled my childhood but I didn’t recognize what it was. Entering college and being stripped of the comfort of family and my hometown, I was forced to look into the mirror. Why did I feel just wrong? Why couldn’t I be happy when others enjoyed a full and exciting college experience? I always felt different and I hated it and, eventually, I learned that maybe I can fix myself if I focus on my body. If I can perfect this, then maybe I’ll feel a little better. But how wrong was I. And, hence, ten plus years of a tumultuous addiction began.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The path to get to where I am today was anything but smooth sailing. I honestly thought I would never be happy. Bulimia is a tyrant. You can’t say no to it and no one understands unless you’ve been there. So, years of fighting, of eventually admitting I needed therapy, of going to outpatient, of it wreaking havoc on my marriage, I am here. I discovered with the encouragement of my therapist and partner, that distraction dimmed the voices in my head. They weren’t as demanding, or learned that I didn’t have to listen. What pulled me into the real world is filling my head with styling my next look and posting to instagram.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

Modeling is not what brings the money in for me, but it is what keeps me going. Many of my friends tease me that I have two jobs, and they aren’t wrong. After a 9+ hour day, I make time for it. I’ll pack the back of my “cardrobe” (a name coined by friends for the rack I hang in my back seat to hold all my shoot looks) and head to a shoot straight after. I am known in the industry for being a petite, but can hold my own with my taller counterparts. I can beast a photoshoot with my posing. I am known for being serious about my craft and I am thankful for that. I am extremely proud of how far I’ve come in the short time frame of two years (actual modeling, but I’ve posted on instagram for 10ish years).

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?

That I used to be quite shy. When I am around my people and my modeling space, I bloom. I feel alive and free and can’t help but talk to everyone.

Pricing:

• $75.00 per hour for regular clothed shoots
• $100-$125 per hour for boudoir style shoots

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentindenim

Image Credits

Cover photo: Mike of @kissofgracephotography
Black bodysuit: Mike of @kissofgracephotograhy
Pink dress: Gabino of @gabinomphoto
Runway shot: Monserrat Valencia of @photography.aram. Modeling Luebbert Swim at the Trending Fashion Show.
Hillside photo: Blake Anderson of @balakay_snaps