So I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I have the biggest girl crush on Rachel Dashae. Her work is consistently eye-catching and beautiful. What's more is that once I started to ask her those tough abstract questions, she took on the challenge and beautifully worded the responses. This girl is a true model - oh and don't get me started on that wicked hair!

When did you first start modeling? What drew you into it?

I first started modeling in 2006; I took breaks off and on, and then became full time in 2010. I wanted to become a different person; I wanted an outlet for my creative spirit. 

Why did you want to be a different person? 

It's like acting; it's like growing out of your skin. But in a good way, haha. Like this other person coming through your eyes and expressions. I want to own the demons, the lust, the happiness, the love inside of me, and sometimes I feel like throwing that out in front of a camera makes you appreciate it. 

How does modeling help you do that?

 It lets me see the end result of my emotions, and how I am putting it into my art. 

What is it about modeling that strikes your creative spirit?

 I get to be a part of someone's vision. They come up with these ideas, concepts, styling, and I get to act it out for them. 

What was the moment you realized it was something you wanted to keep doing? 

Ever since I started. I would stop sometimes, but I would come crawling back shortly after. It's been the only thing that has stayed consistent in my life for 5 years now. 

What are you trying to express through your work? Do you think you've accomplished it? 

Vulnerability, high emotion, and staying fierce and proud. Telling a story with movement and eyes, instead  Yes, that is the one thing I always feel proud about when looking at an image, just how I can show anything that has been pent up for weeks through an image. 

How did you find out about Zivity? What sold you on joining? 

Dastardly Dave actually told me about it! And it was before I was doing nude work, so I was very excited for it. 

You've build a strong fan base both on and off of Zivity - how do you connect with them? How have they influenced your work? 

I try to comment back on any posts, comments, e-mails, etc. I try to actually build a connection and speak with them with truth. I feel like people then think of you as a person they can relate to. They have influenced me to keep going no matter what. Like I have said, I stopped a few times, sometimes I think I would've permanently quit if it wasn't for my fan base. They make my work feel worth it, even if I am being tough on myself. 

Is there anything a fan has ever said to you that has stuck with you? If so, what? 

There have been lots of things. Ever since the first "You are so pretty!" comment most things stick with me. I think what sticks with me the most though, is when people tell me the story they say see in my eyes, or in my hands. It's so awesome that I can inspire someone in that way. 

What is the craziest/funniest thing that has ever happened to you on a shoot? 

One time, I was on some railroad tracks (haha), that were on an overpass over a pretty main road.  I dropped one of my shoes in that little sneaky bend part between the columns. I actually climbed down into the crack (sliding on my butt down rails, haha!) to get my shoe. They were like $5 dollar shoes, but it was really muddy out because it had just rained and the thought of possibly breaking my leg was better than having to walk barefoot through the mud! 

You travel quite a bit! What was one of the most exciting trips you've made? Describe your experience! 

I try! This year will come along with much more traveling. One of the most exciting though I think was to Boston with PXE. Her and I just get along sssooo well; I flew into NYC, and met her. Which was just fun in general, we stayed up all night drinking soda and playing around. The next day we drove to Boston, and the whole trip was way fun. I also think it was a blast because it was just on a whim, I think I had a week to plan anything, haha. 

Is there anything else you're passionate about besides modeling? If so, what and why?

That's a tough one. I put so much into modeling, so I feel like maybe my other passions are photos (I just got a new digital camera, so look out for some pictures), fashion, and learning. I love to read about any subject from "the fattest country in the world" to "black holes". 

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?

I love hanging out with my family. I am very family oriented; I am the oldest of 5 and am extremely close to my mother. I spend a lot of my extra time with them and my boyfriend. Other than that, I like to exercise (mostly yoga), read, and hang out with friends. I frequent clubs on the weekends and LOVE to go out and have some fun! I feel like sometimes I'm a dirty house wife and no one realizes it, haha!

I have to admit, I didn't know much about RazorCandi when I first interviewed her. All I knew going in was that she was gorgeous, has amazing tattoos, and that her lovely corset collection could make any girl jealous. RazorCandi has an undeniable edge to her, but underneath all the bondage and body mod, she's a talented artist with an eye for the more creative things in life.

Where are you from and how did you grow up?

I was born in Baltimore, Maryland and from there moved around a lot due to growing up with a father who is a lieutenant commander in the Coast Guard. I spent a good portion of my early adolescent years in Pennsylvania and then my teen years to young adult in Tampa, Florida. Moving around must have grown on me as I now live across seas in Romania!

What was your experience of High School and how do you think it has affected who you are today?

High School wasn’t as dreadful as most in my shoes might have experienced. Surprisingly enough I did not get picked on for being one of the very few alternative chicks, people actually let me do my thing in peace and recognized my unique style which stood out even among the other goths. I guess since I had been dressing different since middle school people were over it by the time I reached High School, on that note I did get picked on a lot in Middle School, even by the principal who always made sure to intrude upon my outfits and make up by demanding that I remove or change things, she even went as far as suspending me a few times for “masquerading on my face!” or “showing too much skin!”     

How did you get into modeling?

I discovered my interest in modelling around year 2001. It began simply as a hobby and leisure pursuit. I find that modelling is a great way to express art and emotion. I’ve always been especially interested in painting but I feel that modelling is a more instant result. Modelling only became significant when I noticed I was inspiring people and that I was making an impact. It’s an elevating feeling to encourage people to learn and be part of the alternative community. I never actually started modelling with the intent to become a model, I continually look at my modelling in more of a stylist’s point of view. I prefer to have my photos taken to display my changeable looks and ideas. A model is generally a person that serves as a subject for an artist, in my case I model my own artistic ideas, though I have collaborated with many exceptional clothing designers as well. Only until last year did I delve into adult modeling which is new and exciting angle for me. It has opened many new doors and has helped me excel even further with my ideas, in addition it has become an exceptional way for me to express my sexual side which was very repressed during the more fashion modeling period of my life as most of my followers were young teen girls.

Did you model or do photography before you joined the site? Where? How is Zivity different?

I did model extensively before Zivity, but I have suspended all my other websites in which I was posting material and I plan to keep my sets exclusive on Zivity at least for the time being as right now it suits my output perfectly and I love that it’s so organized not to mention all the members so far have all turned out to be awesome, interesting, interactive people. I also enjoy Zivity because it is very different in the way that it’s challenging, the prizes are a great motivation to create themed photo sets, the people are all around very friendly and the voting system is something I’ve never seen on other sites.

You have a very dark and edgy appeal - what drew you into fetish/bondage modeling? How does it reflect your personality? 

I found myself being drawn to the lifestyle at a pretty young age mainly out of interest in the fashion. As I’ve gotten older and more experienced I’ve developed a greater taste for the lifestyle. As a girl with a dominant personality and a kink for bondage it was natural for me to find an affinity to the fetish scene. I feel it reflects my personality greatly because of my strong individuality, though I also have a weakness for being dominated, tied up, gagged and spanked despite my self-assured qualities *wink*. Being called a model (fetish or not) unfortunately does not reflect to the full extent my artistic skills, since I do my own styling and make up and I am also a painter I feel that simply being labeled as a model makes me out to be more of a prop than a creator.

Describe your biggest fantasy!

I don’t really hold a big fantasy as I usually get to live out anything I set my mind too, but if I were to say something off the top of my head it would involve a night out in the town, good food, a fun show, lots of booze, and lots of beautiful, sexy punk boys and girls to share my bed with. The rest is too explicit to share ;)

What are you trying to communicate through photography?

My main focus on modeling and what I am trying to communicate through photography is to inspire art while expressing myself. I love to support and expose people to the alternative lifestyle and modeling makes this possible. As far as adult modeling goes I find the raw sexuality to be both exhilarating and empowering! Clearly I’m a bit of an exhibitionist and I find it very arousing to know that my photos get to be viewed by countless people.

How did you learn about Zivity? What sold you on joining?

Kassandra Love contacted me on FetLife and told me about the site. She thought I’d like it and she was right! I had been hearing about Zivity over the years and thought maybe it was time I try it out!

How would you describe Zivity to someone who has never heard of it?

I would describe Zivity as a site where models and photographers can finally post full sets which are slightly more sexual but still very artistic and make money while doing it, which can never be a bad thing! I’ve always run into problems with my work being a little too racy and extreme, but Zivity gives me the chance to demonstrate the full potential of my sets without having them be rejected. Zivity supports art of every kind while also allowing a voting system for the artists to make money off their hard work and allowing fans and admirers to enjoy it. This combination on Zivity has lead to the members being all very supportive of one another and I have felt very welcome since I’ve joined so I would definitely recommend it to other fellow models.

You have a lot of tattoos - which one is your favorite and what does it mean? 

My favorite tattoo is the bats around my bellybutton. I chose to do it when I got out of an abusive five year relationship in which I was very controlled so when I left the relationship I decided to get my first tattoo as a sign of freedom. I got the bats because I’ve always been a bit of a goth at heart, I thought the bats flying around the bellybutton were a cute representation of bats around a batcave which was a good icon for me as I am very into old school goth/deathrock music and last, yet most important, the bats are flying which symbolizes freedom and independence.

What was your first body modification? What was that experience like?

I think my first body mod was my septum or my tongue, I don’t remember which came first. I was only fifteen and I got them done at this place called Ink Man Dan’s in Tampa. The tongue piercing turned out fine but the septum was crooked, pierced through the cartilage, and done incorrectly, as a result it was very painful, the tongue wasn’t too bad,  I think the healing process was the worst part as it swelled so large I was reduced to eating soup broth and stuck with a speech impediment for about a week. My twin and I later Christened the shop “Stink Man Dan’s”. I don’t regret the experience what so ever!

What are some of the things you enjoy when you're not online? 

Watching movies (just finished re-watching the extended uncut LOTR trilogy!) while cuddling with persons unknown, painting, video games (D&D or AD&D based RPG’s), visiting the tea haus to try different teas, sewing as in modifying clothing, cooking and trying new recipes ….and last but not least, while not very geeky I love partying of course! Nothing like a crazy night out to get my blood flowing, along with other things *wink*

Are you passionate about anything else? What is it? Why?

I am extremely passionate about painting and almost every form of art, I love getting lost for hours in my paintings. I am also very ardent about environment and animal rights issues. I live by a vegan diet and I can make anyone’s taste buds orgasm with my cooking.

Why are you a vegan? How long have you been one?

It’s a very controversial subject so I won’t go into it too much. I chose to become vegan for animal rights. I’ve been vegan for a little over a year after I became exposed to a lot of information about animal cruelty and environmental activism, today I could never dream going back to meat or dairy products. I do plan to go completely vegan with my lifestyle once I retire from modeling but choosing a career path like modeling is not very lenient with a vegan lifestyle though I try my very hardest to avoid animal products or items tested on animals and have turned down many modeling offers due to this. 

When did you know that art was something that you wanted to pursue?

I knew I had a niche in art when I took it as an elective in high school and I picked up painting quite effortlessly. I wouldn’t truly call it a career, I’ve drifted away from painting a lot since I started modeling so it’s a hobby that has taken a seat on the back burner, though my techniques have evolved over time, just as any would with enough practice, unfortunately as long as the hobby remains on the back burner my techniques will remain untrained.

Art by RazorCandi:

(For more of her art, check out her DeviantArt here)

 What themes would you like to explore more of with your art?

I would like to explore using different mediums. I only recently moved onto oil which was not taught to me in school, I was mainly trained to use tempera paint and acrylics so oil is certainly something I’d like to study more. As far as themes go I would like to branch off to more fantasy and ethereal styles like Boris Vallejo and also darker stuff likeHieronymus Bosch style.

Do you think that your art has pushed you forward as an individual?

Since I started out with art at an early age I would definitely say that art has pushed me into being creative and more of an individual. Art has helped me develop a very keen eye for details and has exposed my mind to imaginative and very inventive thoughts. It is hard for me not to observe the world outside of an artistic point of view.

 Do you feel that art has shaped your identity over the years? In what ways?

Absolutely. I feel art has pressed me to expand my mind and creativity thus forming my identity into a very visional persona. Painting is a very emotional process for me, just as modeling and preparing for a shoot is, these steps all construct strong artistic qualities in my personality. I feel art has allowed me to psychologically and physically express myself.

The coolest thing about Zivity is that there is literally a different kind of model to suit every taste, we have glamour girls with tans and bouncy blonde hair, we have heavily tattooed and pierced alt girls rockings mohawks, we have plus size minx's showing off their curves, and models of every age, from 19 to 54!  For my next series of blogs, I am going to feature some of these amazing ladies in all these catergories and more, and hopefully find you a new favourite lady!

Let's start with a personal favourite of mine, the modified girl!  Tattoos, piercings, brandings and more can be found on these lovely Zivity artists, accentuating every slink and pout.

I love how different and beautiful all these lovely creatures are!  Want to see a certain feature?  Do you enjoy pale skin, or blondes, or glamour models, let me know and I will make up a feature.

Kitty13/PiratePhotography

Another month has come and gone so that means it's time to celebrate the Top 10 Models of September by votes. This Top 10 is create by YOU through your votes. Don't see your favorite model here? Well, then go show them some vote love and maybe you'll see them here next month!

#1. CherieDeville  -1419 Votes 
Sun Worship by SadPenguin

#2. JennyRose - 1296 Votes
Vintage Pin-up Beauty by KrizanekPhotography

 

#9. asiandream - 534 Votes
Back Seat Driver! by GGPstudios

 

 

#10. TamaraMarie - 393 Votes
We heart nerds by PiratePhotography

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 7, 2011

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Filed under  //   Top 10 Models   alatusphoto   aphrocentricity   asiandream   cheriedeville   craigman   davidhoughton   englishbabs   gaunted   ggpstudios   gwendolyn   jennyrose   krizanekphotography   models   okidokiokami   pirate photography   sadpenguin   tamaramarie   trailer   verababy   vivka  

Last week, I reached out to Sombra who has been an active model and photographer on the site for over 2 years. She has done almost 40 sets as a photographer and well over 80 modeling sets-- For someone so busy, I was expecting someone more...well...uber focused and some what of an activist. To my surprise, Sombra is as much laid-back and down to earth as she is beautiful and smart. 

N: Tell us a little about yourself! Where did you grow up?
S: Houston, Texas

N: How has your traveling affected the way you are?
S: I have a lot of stories. I don’t mind eating strange food or hanging out with people who don’t speak a common language with me. When you have the same sort of lifestyle and living environment your whole life and when everyone around you lives and thinks the same way as you, you run the risk of losing perspective and taking stupid things too seriously.  I lived in Russia and China, and spent a lot of time with my family in Venezuela.  Very different places, but they reveal more commonalities than meaningful differences.

N: How did you get into modeling?
S: I needed a job while I was an undergrad. I worked as a figure model for local museums and art schools. It paid better than most other random jobs, and I liked that I could get the job by just walking in, filling out my paperwork, and telling them when I was available. Sometimes I could sleep on the job, other times I got paid to learn about art, without ever having to worry about grades. Nice job. After a few years, I realized photographers pay more.  Some random photographer made me a model mayhem account or one model place, and it kind of went from there.  Oh. I ended up on Maxim’s website sometime back around then, I was dating a guy into their douchtastic wonder and he was supposed to buy me some blueberry cheesecake if I sent photos to Maxim. They published them but I never got my damned cheesecake, and for this they will never be forgiven. 

N: When did you first hear about Zivity?

S: May 2009? I decided to submit some photos after being on the site for about 0.3 microseconds. I think the first set I fell in love with was "House of White Life" by Haruka_Salt and beaufoto:

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Why hello there Dear Zivity readers.  I'm new here on this blog so welcome to my first post.  (Ok, so technically not my first post, but I'm doing this out of order, so pretend with me!)  For those you are unawares I'm one of the photographers on zivity, a Philadelphia (and all around vagabond) Ambassador, and a lover of Gingers.

Did you know that scientists believe Gingers could be going extinct?  True story, I read in an article over four years old.  Fear not though, we here at zivity have them well documented for future gingerless generations, and there is rumors of a technology that is capable of changing blond and brunette hair into ginger hair.

That said I would like to share a few of my favorite sets featuring the fire engine reds, strawberry blondes, and ginger hair we have all come to know and love.

Firstly it is absolutely mandatory you check out Reflection featuring GingerBreadGirl shot by DearestGrudge.  This set is shot so softly and gorgeously it looks like it jumped out of a decade long ago.

The third stop on our train through Ginger Town is DaneHalo and QueenofSalvation's set Strong Embrace.  The lighting on this set is to die for, and the wallpaper background is awesome.  Throw Dane into the mix and you have a set that will knock your socks off and dye them red while you aren't looking.  (Yep I'm pulling out all the weird redhead inspired jokes today)

Oh well regardless of my ramblings this set is amazing in all sorts of ways.  One Addicted Image is to zivity sets what Ferari is to cars, and it shows in this one as brilliantly as ever.  Toss in 5'2" of ginger and you have a masterpiece.

That is all for today.  I will be back soon perhaps to ramble about another hair color, or something far less specific.  Who knows?

 These lovely ladies love lace and so do we. Phew, say that a few times fast! Anyway, here are a few of our favorite Lacy sets.

DivinoraDarling in Evening Alone by Vara

adriannababe in Fire Red Lace by ricyoung

shhhwhisper in Brick and Lace by RichScalzo

Tigli in Pearl Necklace by Azzara

Thanks to Zivity, I've been able to do all kinds of things I wouldn't have been able to do, talk to amazing artists and see all sorts of wonderful art.

Thanks to Zivity, I've been able to talk to some of my favourite artists, and even better, every now and then, one of them votes for me.  I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful it feels when an artist you admire enjoys something you have created!

Sometimes, if you are really lucky, one of Zivity's top models comes by your page and makes your day. 

Thanks to Zivity I have travelled across the country to meet new friends, and have made long lasting friendships.  I have spent long weekends with artists creating sets for Zivity, all whilst having the best time, drinking too much Pepsi Max and eating way too much pizza.

I can honestly say that thanks to Zivity, I have met my best friends, and have been given opportunities I would never have encountered without this website.

That is my favourite part of Zivity, the incredible members and artists.  I can switch from talking to a creative who inspires me, and pushes me to work harder and be better, to talking to someone in Singapore who appreciates art, and then I can be talking to one of the most beautiful and unique women on the planet.

Where else could I do this?  Nowhere, and that is my favourite thing about Zivity, the people who make it my home on the internet.

Kitty aka Pirate Photography

xx

It's time to show you the Top 10 Models by Votes for July. This time Gwendolyn rose to the top. Who'll be on top next month? YOU are the ones that make this list happen, so if you don't see someone here that you think should be, GO VOTE! 

#1. Gwendolyn with 1119 votes

#2. Watson - 615 Votes

#3. EnglishBabs - 566 votes

#4. Vivka - 479 votes

#5. Saint - 459 votes

#6. Sombra - 432 votes

#7. hexhypoxia - 310 votes

#8. RachelDashae - 299 votes

#9. AshleyMourning - 286 votes

#10. Evohe - 272 votes