New York in August 2012

I had a fantastic day on Sunday. Many of you watched me live and I appreciate the support SO much. I love you guys!

If you missed it, I shot for a photography workshop with Matthew Jordan Smith. Matthew was such a pleasure to work with and he greeted everyone with that great smile of his. He has shot Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, and more. He was also a photographer for America’s Next Top Model.

Shots from the workshop should be coming out soon. I already have two shots up, Behind the Scenes.

I am advancing my modeling career by moving to New York in 2012. I was telling Matthew that I was planning on late 2012 and he pointed out that the fashion industry will be slow and that I should bump up my goal by 6 months. You know what? I WILL bump up my goal by 6 months. My new goal is to move to New York in August 2012. Continue reading “New York in August 2012”

My Mom is Writing Updates for Me, So Here’s Mine

First thing. I felt like a total tourist today! Not a good thing. I like being the native. So I’ll allow myself a weekend of tourism. Then, its down to business! Not to say its not already down to business… (My very first day here, I had a photoshoot. I came down a day early yesterday for a shoot for several stock photography students. I pretended to apply makeup with a smile on my face for about 3.5 hours. Fun stuff!)

Back to tourism. I had some fun today! My uncle’s girlfriend (who is also a good friend/friend of the family) and her mom took me with them to the Portland Saturday Market. There was a lot of fun art and clothes. I think my favorite part of the market there was all the nifty items made out of forks and kitchen utensils. The fork bracelets? They were FIERCE. (I practice a good amount of self control, however, and did not buy anything).

I feel like today is an important transition for me as a person, having never lived away from my mom, and as a model. Especially with the clothes. I generally don’t stock up on “trendy” clothes and prefer simple and easy, but this is the new me. Nordstrom and WinCo are next on my list for shopping.

The room I am staying in is super cozy and cute! I have my uncle to thank for his hospitality, letting me stay with him in his guest bedroom.

I guess this blog post is mostly just an update for all of those who want to know what’s going on. My mom has been posting about me and my trip non-stop. I love her to death. Even though I’m in Portland and she is wayy North, I still feel like we’re together. So she’s been updating HER friends, based on what I’ve been telling her, making me feel guilty for not posting updates. So here it is! And I took a bunch of pictures, so this is an easy way to share them with you all.

Hope you are all having and awesome weekend! And I apologize if you read this thinking there will be some point at the end or greater meaning. Other than the fact that this trip is epic and a really good experience, there really isn’t too much of a point.

I could say, however, that calculated risks are a good thing! If you’re finding yourself “stuck” and can’t decide on making a move, I say, if its reasonable, TAKE A RISK. I’ve only found success and happiness with every calculated risk I’ve taken.

Be Fierce!!

Briauna Mariah (:

Identity Crisis? Nah, This I Just Who I Am

I am Briauna Mariah Graeber.

That is who I am.

I will change, I will grow, but I will never be different.

I am that little girl walking to middle school who still practices multiplication and thinks about fairy stories and about the next time I get to do a sleep over. I am that shy Sophomore girl who wants a new start going to a new rigorous school program. I am that girl who wants to do really well in school. I am that girl who compares herself to those that she thinks do better than her. I am that girl that knows she can do better. I am that girl who falls hard for for that one, really great, crazy awesome guy that will never return the feelings. I am that girl studying bathymetry of Possession Sound with my classmates, who writes poems, who loves, who wonders. I am that girl who speculates about the fashion industry and thinks its “cool.”

I am like you. I am human. We change, we grow. Continue reading “Identity Crisis? Nah, This I Just Who I Am”

Getting Naked in the Desert

I am no comedian, but I like to try to be funny sometimes. So here is me… well, I wouldn’t call it making fun of myself exactly… maybe I’m just “making fun.” Let me have my fun rant here for a minute, okay? Men, boys, guys, whatever you like to be called, you might enjoy this one the most.

First off, don’t go telling me being a fashion model is a piece of cake!! People think its about being pretty. Its not. It’s about being ugly. Seriously. Its about pushing the limits, its about being uncomfortable. It is pain and absurdity. It is Lady Gaga. It is amazing.

It has taken me time to get where I am as a model in terms of my confidence, comfort zone, and skill.

We should all know by now that my confidence and skill are superb.  Let’s talk about comfort zone for a bit, now, shall we? Continue reading “Getting Naked in the Desert”

Portland, New York Fashion: Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Public transportation. Gotta love it. Some people cringe at the thought of having to ride the public transit. I decide instead to embrace it. So many good things have come to me through riding the bus. There is always someone who has something to say. Always that one really interesting person. You don’t get that in a car. Once you ride public transit enough, you begin to realize it is its own little community. You save money too! Gas prices are getting ridiculous.

I was late for the bus and debating my different parking options. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it in time. I was on my way to help a friend of the family for the day at her shoe store. I veer into the senior center parking lot, grab my bag, and slam the door just as the bus was getting ready to leave. Sometimes I wonder at how observant the public transit bus drivers are. The man obviously saw my car frantically pulling in (or did he?), but he began to leave the station anyways and I appeared just in time.

I thank the man for waiting for me to board and take a seat.

“Are you a model?” A woman asks just as I am getting settled. I’m always extremely flattered and sometimes a little surprised when people ask me that, especially when I have absolutely no hair product or makeup on. Continue reading “Portland, New York Fashion: Ready or Not, Here I Come!”