Hi Shekinah, can you introduce yourself to our readers please? Who is Shekinah Garner?

I am defiantly a mulit-faceted person! I am not just a model. I am also a mother to an amazing 3 year little girl, a philanthropist, Aesthetician for over 10 years and a free-lance Makeup Artist.

Have you always wanted to be a model?

Well, I grew up in a very unconventional environment... being raised on 300 acres of cotton fields in the hills of Tennessee and being home-schooled made for a very sheltered and primitive lifestyle. I don't think I even know about Modeling until I was maybe 18.

How did you get involved in modeling?

I was taking my film to be developed at a local photocenter and the photo processor, Angel Varela (who also happened to be a photographer), asked if I had ever considered modeling professionally. He also asked if I would be interested in doing a shoot with him. I shot with him and loved the result and used those pictures to get modeling gigs... and it has just been a fun adventure ever since! I credit angel Varela for "discovering" me and planting in me that desire to model.

Now everyone sees all the glamour, but nobody sees the hard work put into being an official model. Can you tell us whats a days grind for you is like?

I take my physical appearance very seriously because if I don't, I won't book jobs! I work out everyday using a simple routine of weight lifting and cardio and I stick with a healthy diet consisting mostly of veggies, whole grains, and lean protein like fish. I limit my sugar and sodium intake which also keeps my skin looking good.
 
Thank you! Well.... I have Italian from my dad's side and English, German and French from my mom's. my mom's. I don't dislike anything about it! Like I said before, I was in the beauty industry before I even started modeling, so I knew what it involved. There was no part of it that seemed undesirable... and there still isn't!! I know this may sound crazy, but at 29 years old, I now feel more beautiful and sexy than I did when I was 21! I just feel that I am coming into myself more and have gotten better with time.... like fine wine! Some of my favorite features are my eyes and lips. My butt has always gotten me alot of attention and I get complemented on that "asset" alot. I like that my legs are a bit "meaty" and muscular and I like my toned arms and small waist. I think that my look falls into a unique category because I don't have that "girl next door" look but I am not all that ethnic looking either. Somewhere in between. I don't have the typical skinny, tall model body... but rather am more curvaceous. I don't think my look is necessarily "in demand" but I still am able to book jobs, so something is working for me!! When I attend events as a promotional model or am on set with other models, I don't generally feel that I am with a competition with them. I appreciate beauty in others and think that beauty is meant to be appreciated, not seen as something to compete with. I would have to say that I mostly get gigs where its important for me to show my sexy side and be sultry and delicious... but I love a bit of mystery and a dark, thought-provoking element to pictures. I would say that I have a fair amount of creative influence in shoots because I always do my own makeup, but I always take direction from the photographer and take into consideration his concept for the shoot.
I love dressing up in gorgeous outfits and being all dolled up! Also, the end result (seeing the pictures) is so fun. The editing process is fascinating to me, and I love the rare occasion in which I am able to be involved in that aspect of things.
My daughter and home life always come first, but I have found a good balance between "mommy" and "model". Its really not that hard to do if you have your priorities mapped out before you and just vow to always keep them in mind no matter what you are doing.
Love is always my first passion. My daughter IS the love in my life and my ultimate passion is to be the best Mommy possible to her. I am passionate too about my career with the beauty that can be created when model and photographer have an amazing collaboration. I am passionate about health and fitness as well- it is essential to success in the beauty industry! I am seeing several people and am really enjoying not having to deal with that pressure of exclusivity right now.

What are some of your upcoming projects?

I am doing a shoot this coming week with two other models (one female and one male).. Its going to involve some intensity between me and the male as well as some sexiness between the female and I ... I'm looking forward to it! I also just landed my first role in a movie called "Beneath the Ink" in which I play a quirky nurse who is known for her unusual walk and eccentric ways.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment so far?

I went alone to Cambodia for 6 months back in 2004 to do volunteer work at an Orphanage . To be immersed in that culture for as long as I was really stands out in my mind as a huge accomplishment for me. I was able to help alot of people there and that makes me feel good.