Rising Stars: Meet Miss Britney Rae of Los Olivos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miss Britney Rae.

Hi Miss Britney Rae, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Britney Rae, also known as Miss Britney Rae, is an internationally published and established alternative model, self-portrait artist, photographer, and digital retoucher, born in San Diego, California, is presently based in Los Olivos, California, and has been consistently traveling for work in Los Angeles, California since 2021.

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 for more than a decade. Each creation holds a space for me to process my most complex and difficult emotions. By portraying the more tender and vulnerable parts of myself 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 own traumas, and learning how to transform – to transmute them. As I have carried this elixir for most of my life, every image, every project that 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 shifted from self portraiture being my primary outlet to modelling post 2020 as I have grown into a new era of creative expression and confidence. I have also expanded to shooting others in similar genres since 2016 in hopes of bringing them the same joy and liberation I feel behind the lens. I am, among many others, trying to leave my own mark on the world whilst aspiring to break barriers. I would like for my work and my presence to encourage others to also live in their authentic truths 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.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know of any great artists who haven’t had to overcome an obstacle at some point in their lives – even if that obstacle was themselves. I grew up feeling very ostracized, misunderstood, and neglected, by so many people around me. Family, friends, community, romantic partners, strangers, you name it. I can recall social instances where I would go to sit at a table of other young kids my age, (for example) and the moment I would sit down, they would all sit up – headed for a different table. I’ve had large groups of people openly laugh at and mock me in front of my peers (in person and eventually online when that became relevant). A lot of experiences like this made me feel like who I was wasn’t okay – no, that who I was wasn’t safe out in the open – so I would withdraw, and retreat into my own inner world amidst nature. My inner world is incredibly rich and expansive courtesy to those many years of escapism, so, perhaps that aspect set me up on the ‘right’ creative trajectory. While I have experienced and witnessed grief, harassment, struggle, turbulence, pain in my own shared and sometimes unique experiences, I’ve also experienced a tremendous amount of wisdom, tenacity, empathy, joy, and freedom. A lot of my life has been profoundly shaped by great struggles and sacrifice, but I would not change any part of it. By learning to integrate my pain, I can use this knowledge to help others – to find compassion in spaces where it doesn’t exist and to share that love – this is the true gift.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Glamour modeling, mostly, and because I have been a devoted student to self-portraiture and photography for, at least a decade, I’ve developed my own quirks and techniques along the way that are most notable in my poses, wardrobe, and overall stylistic choices in post processing. I’m also an exceptional “yapper” – when it pertains to my philosophy on something I’m passionate about. I couldn’t quite tell you what exactly ‘it” is to be sincere with you, these are just some of the things I have had pointed out to me over the years. I very much strive to find balance in managing my own image, but also accepting that a lot of my creations are open to endless interpretation once released. I’m very honored to be a source of inspiration in any capacity by fellow artists, and anyone who resonates with what I have to share. It feels incredibly good to know that there are people out there who feel a little more seen or heard because I am here to create. If someone finds meaning, purpose, or can simply take something positive away from my images or words, I am grateful.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck is a very neutral thing for me in my own life, but it is ever present. I’m not going to pretend that I have had specific opportunities cross my path solely because I worked hard, or in the case of something not going right, that I somehow “deserved” that experience. I don’t think it’s honest or just to say that hard work is enough – we’ve seen plenty of examples in this life where that simply isn’t true. There are hierarchies, systems, privileges, all constantly at play and sometimes it really is a matter of how you can navigate through life with the cards you’re dealt with. The world is going through great changes, that are violent, at this time. Violence in this world is hard to avoid. And, if it is avoided, then count yourself lucky and privileged.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/missbritneyrae
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missbritneyrae
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missbritneyrae
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Miss_BritneyRae
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissBritneyRae?sub_confirmations=1
• Other: https://www.vero.co/missbritneyrae

Image Credits
Personal Headshot and Red/Black Portrait by Lextography LLC.

Rooftop Glamour Portrait by Jim Fisher.

Black and Pink Leather Portrait by Vicente Cordero.

Mohawk Portrait and “Rain” Portrait by JhotoPhoto.

Black and White Glamour Portrait by MikeIsLegend.

Nature Lingerie Portrait by Miss Britney Rae (self-portrait).

Black and White “Natural” Headshot by Miss Britney Rae (self-portrait).