“Be true to yourself”, she said. That is her mantra. Her name is Roberta Rae.
Roberta Rae is not just another pin-up model. Yes, she has long legs that can go forever and her eyes that can pierce your soul, her story is more then that. I met her at Fair Trade Café a half hour before our scheduled interview. I was happily surprised. She was the first to be punctual for an interview!
Roberta was sitting on the couch at the corner of the cafe. She had the Betty Page like haircut and a rockabilly look to her. We introduced ourselves and had small talk. We began talking how some people see pin-up models. How it can have a negative connotation. I can see that.
What pisses her off more is how some people show their prejudice towards her because she doesn’t fit their norm. I’d say fuck them and their norms. She was born and raised here in South Phoenix. That’s right, South Phoenix, she gangsta yo! Just kidding but she did grow up knowing tough. She’s no sissy.
When growing up she remembers seeing hot rod magazines all around the house and fell in love with it. She tells me when she moved to California, that’s when she really fell in love with the lifestyle. That’s the time she also began to model. The story goes, she was at a hot rod event and a photographer asked her to pose in front of a car. The photographer asked her did she model before and the rest was history.
The industry can be cutthroat sometimes and that’s just how it is. But there are a few like Roberta Rae who is different. She believes in helping each other out in the industry. Sometimes she could come off as intimidating but once you start talking to her, she is very down to earth. Not what you would expect from a pin-up model.
We discussed about how people new to the industry are hungry for work but don’t know how to begin. One of the best ways is to help one another out. Either doing free photoshoots to build a portfolio or to get your name out. Don’t burn your bridges, that’s your lifeline. If you do, you’re not going nowhere. This is what she told me, I agree. The more I listened to her discuss about the industry, I realize you need to be on your game and know what you are doing.
I asked Roberta if she works with anyone, like a manager, secretary or talent agent. She says no. She does everything herself, to me that’s amazing. From calling photographers, booking photoshoots, answering emails to ordering lots of coffee (inside joke, ask her about it). She tells me networking will help you be successful in this industry. I think this advice works for anyone who is in any business.
She tells me she is part of a group called the Arizona Pin-Up Girls. There are a lot of groups out there who showcases pin-up models but she feels some of them are just not her taste.
Here are some extra tidbits:
Favorite Photographers:
Photography by Eva
Vitale Photography
White Trash Icon “GTP”
Celestial
Andy Hartmark
Vestige Photography
Roy Varga
Photographers would love to work with:
Shannon Brooke
Viva Van Story
Wonderboy Photography
Paper Doll Photo
666photography
MIKE BASSO
Nicolle Clemetson
Dawn Rosa Cole Foto
To be continued…
More Information:
robertarae.com
myspace.com/robertarae
myspace.com/arizonapinupgirl
