“Modeling is definitely not an easy job and you have to be able to take rejection and you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to help someone’s image in their mind, become a photo!”
Marina Rynolds was born in San Diego, California, which is also where she hopes to move back to when she is older. Ā She is 17 years old and is just starting in the modeling business. Ā Growing up she always played soccer but once she discovered modeling, she knew it was something she wanted to do and was passionate about. Ā We asked her about her current life and future plans.
Photography, Styling and Interview by Lauren Engel
Tell us about your upbringing. At what age did you move to Massachusetts?
Growing up I was certainly not the person that I am today, I was very shy and would never leave my moms side. I was so sensitive to any criticism or any rejection! Now I love traveling, I take any chance I can to go out in the world even if it does mean leaving my family, but they are so supportive of everything I do. I couldn’t ask for a better family. As I started to grow up we moved around quite a bit which helped me get out of that comfort zone that I was so attached to. First we lived in California which I have the fondest memories of, I remember being in the stroller as my dad would take me on runs along the beach. Everyday we would stop at the same pet store and he would play with the parrots and I was so amazed how he handled them and eventually aught them how to talk! My mom, dad brother and I would go to the beach and build huge sand castles. It was sad when we left and moved to Rhode Island, but I’m glad we did. In Rhode Island we lived on a huge farm, about 50 acres. Being a kid I had the best memories there. We had horses, chickens, goats, geese, dogs, cats and you name it! Most of my cousins and aunts and uncles live there so it was nice to have family around because school was so hard for me. I would fail every test and my teachers hated me because I couldn’t understand anything, it was a huge struggle for me but since then I have completely turned around, I love school and I get all A’s and B’s. The best part I remember about living in Rhode Island is when we adopted my little sister from Ethiopia. She truly is the sweetest, kindest most loving girl I have ever met and watching her grow up has been such an amazing experience. A couple years later my parents decided that it was time to move again, because living on a farm was a lot of work! We moved to New Hampshire which is where we currently live now about 7 years ago. It’s the best place we’ve lived so far simply because of the people I’ve met and all my biggest live lessons I have learned here. The lessons I’ve learned have taught me so much and I wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything!
How were you like growing up – what did you enjoy doing other than soccer? Which are your favourite subjects?
Since we grew up on a farm, I took after my mom and found a huge love for horse back riding. My mom is an amazing rider, and I’ve never seen her so passionate about something and I love watching her ride and seeing just how happy it makes her. Soccer had always been my go to sport but I just never had that love and connection for it, I wanted to travel the world and model. It’s been a lot of hard work but that is now what I am currently doing! In 7th grade I left NH and went to Italy. I lived there for 8 months and it was the best experience of my life. I went with my cousin Skylar, who made the trip so much fun! We lived with my Nonna and Grandad who have a house in Lago Maggiore! The house is gorgeous! We went to a tiny school, with only 50 people, and 12 people in my whole grade. It was a huge difference from my life and school in NH. I loved the culture, the food and the people. Everything about it was beautiful. After coming home for a couple years I decided I wanted to travel again, so I packed my bags and I went to live with my Aunt in Florida for a couple months while she sold saddles at the horse shows. Spending the day at the horse shows was breathe taking, I met so many different people and the atmosphere of those shows is something that is indescribable.
“As I started to grow up we moved around quite a bit which helped me get out of that comfort zone that I was so attached to.”
At what age did you start modeling?
I started modeling this year and I absolutely love it! It’s definitely not an easy job and you have to be able to take rejection and you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to help someone’s image in their mind, become a photo! I do think that for some people there can be disadvantages for being in front of the Camera at a young age but lucky I haven’t had to experience anything negative from it or the industry! I think modeling is the right fit for me because whenever I do something new I always get terrified and I get sick to my stomach and don’t want to do it but with modeling it’s different, I get nervous but it is an excited nervous, and I’ve never had that feeling with anything else! I love modeling because I love the industry, I love the fashion, I love all the people and all the opportunities, the vibe of the whole thing is just something that is so fun and exciting to me and it’s crazy how its not only a hobby but a job, it’s like the best of both worlds!
Are your parents supportive of this decision?
My parents are so supportive of me modeling, my mom drops work whenever I get the smallest job and I don’t think she knows how appreciative I am of her doing this and putting me before her with everything I do. My dad also is a huge supporter and it doesn’t matter where he is, he will book us flights, get is hotels and he even surprises us sometimes! They’re both so much greater than anything I could have asked for?
What are you thinking of studying in university?
Even my sister will stand there and take pictures of me for hours as I practice my poses. Even my brother is supportive of everything I do, he’s like my best friend. My friend group, SO amazing. They tell me how great I am, they support and even do anything they can to help me with anything I do. I am so grateful and lucky for the people in my life and how they do all these amazing things for me. It’s hard to think about leaving everyone when I go to college after next year. My dream school is either Temple University or Florida Atlantic University, I’m so involved with those schools! But for now I’m putting all my effort into my modeling career. (smile)
Lingerie set: Kayser Lingerie, Kimono: Arnhem Clothing
Bikini: Velvet Sphynx Swim
Bikini: Lezard Swim
Bikini: Gypsea Swimwear
Bikini: Swim Like A Mermaid
