Life & Work with Raina Menne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raina Menne.

Hi Raina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started a couple of months after my high school graduation. I was working in between two jobs at la Madeline & Buffalo Wild Wings in-fact the day of my first ever shoot was also my first day at b-dubs, a friend of mine had a clothing line and asked me to model for his new winter snow suit so I squeezed in an hour or two before going in to work to shoot with him & his photographer!

Over the course of those two hours, I learned something not just about modeling or myself but collective synergy & how important it is to have those around you that aren’t there to judge or critique but patiently work with what you have to offer because they’re able to see past your fears and identify the natural essence of you “I” & the picture that’s bigger than you or them. I’m saying this now because I was scared out of my mind than walking into something that called on me to uplift the one thing I always shied away from, my beauty — it was a gradual learning experience over time as I reflect more and more on that day and how easily I excelled within that experience and even in certain situations afterwards have shown me that what’s meant for you will simply be and to achieve or reach that anointing you simply have to be willing to flow with those presented to you, don’t cling, don’t latch, don’t over exude but just flow.

This is how I started but also what’s grounding me in where I am now, two – three years later now a working model (doing what I can due to COVID) & further away from 9-5’s and check to check living further away from poverty and sorrow and not thinking I was good enough, further away from looking in the mirror and being displeased, I’m so much further away from all these things because of that one understanding that things will flow how they flow & the friction I cause by not allowing things to just be will only further my pain of being unfulfilled.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In retrospect, nothing in life is necessarily “smooth” at least in my opinion, nothing worth maintaining — things get hard but aren’t bad things get rocky but aren’t “the end” or necessarily “hard” stuff happens to test how willing you are to withstand for what you feel like is worth it even blessings get tested to see how you will react in a time of need, need meaning patience, guidance, understanding because sometimes as humans cluttered with past life traumas & current karmic cycles in need of breaking its hard for us to react rationally and that’s the test will you surrender to the highest power and act as love or will you fall victim to your ego and react in eagerness, etc.! This has been my biggest test, finding a way to always surrender to my “first mind” instead of allowing those second minded thoughts to linger and create a need for bliss when in all actuality true bliss is created from falling in line with your highest needs and desires so that you can act on your anointing with a clear mind.

And to speak out of terms with my spiritual code, all n all my whole life I’ve been insecure it’s embedded within my karmic placement my mom, grandfather/mother & father have all suffered addiction and trauma that has placed many strong holds on our lineage from depression to stress to anxiety to PTSD and PMDD (things I suffer from as well) which has caused my career to sometimes feel heavier than it should or more so than what I would like because I have to overcome the feeling of never being “good enough” but what I’ve realized is if I look at these situations like they’re character builders instead of “test” or me just having to overcome myself it gives the whole process a greater meaning!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a muse, I choose the term muse because I feel like my mission is more than one of a “model” or just an average “creative” I provide an overall feeling that connects to the core. I don’t just model because I feel as if the word model exudes one meaning & that meaning is “prototype” I am no prototype I am not perfect in the eyes of all I am not aiming to be I am perfectly imperfect and those imperfections make my anointing even more beautiful because people genuinely connect with the rawness of my content rather than the facade made up to capture desires of glitz & glamour! I’m known in my hometown for breaking in-through the fashion industry while still being home (New Orleans) “the bottom of the bottom” where I’m from there really is no industry as far as reaching those “up top” we get everything last & our content is rarely given its recognition and almost always ran with by those that swoop in & try to take advantage of those placed on lower levels systematically.

I’m most proud of the things I’ve obtained with little to no resources other than myself & the other creatives I’ve worked with. We’ve put together many sets and ideas with almost no budget and each time, our efforts exceed our own expectations! I feel like what sets me apart is my keen sense of understanding of things underneath the surface & drive to learn and obtain more through my knowing that just bc I understand doesn’t mean I know it all, I’m always willing to learn even with my own minor self setbacks that trigger certain emotions while being shown new ways! I’m just always willing to evolve and not just for me but for those around me and those that will come after me!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you take anything from this interview, I ask that it be an open mind, a free one. Free yourself of overthinking and allow the natural flow to occur. Surrender not just to God but to yourself! We’re walking into a new age, a new era, a new Bible verse, a New Testament, a new storyline. What’s occurring was written long before we were able to come to these realizations; it was drawn on canvas and were just adding color. Blending in, painting over old narratives & making a way for new ones, more promising ones but first we must strip over-selves of doubt & trust that everything that has happened was divinely meant good or bad first or second mind reactions it’s all apart of what’s been set in place so never beat yourself up over decisions because the highest power only see’s where we’re headed she isn’t consumed with where we’ve been so neither should we be!

Pricing:

• 150/hr fashion shoots
• 150/ film photography (videos, cinemas, etc.)
• 50$ character analysis + consultation (higher healing through the understanding of karmic traumas)

Contact Info:

• Email: rainafmenne@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmZjqxFJgI/?igshid=1c7cf72hk0tnt
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rainmenne/status/1294796457510404098?s=20

Image Credits
Laiken Joy, Sara Katerina, Nick Shamblott, Rasharie, Molly Olwig