A nurse by day and model by night, Rachel Moraga, 25, chose a career dedicated to helping others but found a passion where she was able to turn the focus on herself.
“I chose modeling to express myself through pictures,” she said.
She was inspired to model by people she connected with on Instagram.
“It pushed me to want to do it; to challenge myself and learn more,” she said.
After graduating from nursing school, she went full force into modeling, sometimes having three shoots booked in one day. The consistent practice shaped her into a more skilled model.
Recently, she did a photoshoot at Congruent Space, a place where creatives go to create content. She was there for the first time a female photographer shot. She was on set in a room that depicted the sky, blue walls with feathered clouds.
The designer for the shoot asked what she felt her superpower was. Rachel chose “super-strength.”
Rachel embodied her strength in the flamboyant red one-shoulder jumpsuit that had been designed for her.
She chose this because being powerful is not only physical, but also a symbol of resilience and inner strength.
Rachel is Asian American of Filipino descent and recalls from a young age how prejudice against Asian Americans became normalized around her.
“Your words affect others,” she said. “Whether it’s good or bad.”
She has shared her story online in an effort to spread awareness and combat discrimination against Asian Americans.
Recently she did a shoot with her boyfriend which helped support the AAPI community.
The wedding shoot was a collaboration with various Filipino-owned brands like calligraphy artists, bakers, videographers, photographers and make-up artists. The project, which was featured on ABC7 news, was to help promote businesses affected by the pandemic.
Her advice to anyone wanting to start modeling is to be who you are and be confident: “The first thing that shows in your photos is confidence.”
In a world where there are so many people to be inspired by, Rachel highlighted the importance of being true to yourself.
“Embrace yourself because sometimes we lose touch of what makes us unique,” she said
Courtesy of Rachel Moraga Design (Film: @filmsloot x @russiaancream Styled by: @casscellina Art: @congruentspace) 
Courtesy of Rachel Moraga (Photographed by Jack Soltysick)
Jaylinn Reports 