MARINA MERCHANT-Dest | marina@marinamerchantdest.com

Based in New York City and Washington DC.

I’m from Maryland, USA and ethnically I’m Czech and Caribbean.
Random Things I Love: Spontaneous picnics, line drying clothes underneath the sun, overnight or early morning flights, long handwritten letters, and driving in the passenger seat.
I’m primarily a professional model, business owner, portrait photographer, and fashion designer.

My INtention

..to support people in experiencing their full potential, connecting with the best version of themselves, and tuning into the magic and aliveness in this life.

How am I infusing my mission into what I do?

portrait Photography AND FASHION DESIGN

The purpose of why I do photography is to support people in embodying the best version of themselves. I ask them.. how do you envision yourself? How do you feel? I want my clients to be left with a portrait that will allow them to feel empowered and connected to their full potential, each time they look at it.

Q: How I Photograph?

A: The best way I can describe it — I feel like I have this quantum understanding to the way textures, shapes, light and color interact with one another. It’s almost like I intuitively see and understand how to make something ‘Fit’ or look ‘perfectly pleasing’.”

I’m very intentional with all of my photoshoots. From the props to the design, to what energy I want to emanate through the photo.. it’s all (again) very intuitive.

Most people think that the model is what makes all the difference in the photo. I completely disagree with that. As photographers, it’s our unique ability to capture images a certain way that makes the difference. We all have good and bad photos of ourselves which goes to show that the way its captured is highly impactful.

Click here to access my Gallery

the finiti — Clothing brand

THE FINITI IS A MANIFESTATION OF INTENTION + SUSTAINABILITY.

Fashion is less about what you wear and more about how YOU feel. Whenever we desire to bring new items in our lives, what we are essentially after is the feelings we associate with them and the way they will elevate our human experience.

But of course, it’s not necessarily the items that bring us the feelings, it’s the journey they inspire and accomplishments they signify! Once we buy that item, the feeling is usually gone and we start searching for it again. Instead, Imagine having a closet that you LOVE that makes you feel like a stunning goddess. A shirt you feel gratitude for, that feels valuable and inspires you when you put it on?

The items in The Finiti store serve as a vessel of creativity to support you in exploring your personal style.

I envision that women will feel empowered and inspired by wearing these shirts.
I envision that women feel inspired to mix and match these pieces with cool thrift finds from their local shop, with pieces they already own, or even items that are handed down to them.. infinite combinations and I mean it.

My intention is to provide women with classic, timeless, and adaptable pieces that support them in building a wardrobe that lasts years and in turn, creates less waste.

I intend for my creations to inspire women to embody the best version of themselves inside and out

May all these pieces support you in discovering and merging with the best version of you.

Click here to access the store

Modeling

I recognize modeling is more than just about looking great behind the camera.

I feel it's also about the emotions and energy that's conveyed, and embodying the feelings that the designer or client wants to bring through. I love runway modeling in particular because I’m able to harness the energy that a designer had and for a moment in time channel into the exact feeling they wanted the audience to feel.

I am currently freelance with an interest in signing with a Mother Agency. Please contact Marina@Marinamerchant-Dest if you would like to set up an interview or see me at a casting.

My personal goals + Vision

In the next year, I’d like to move The Finiti into a physical headquarters. I see myself inviting independent clothing labels to collaborate with us and hiring a team of passionate/creative/visionary people. I also see myself exponentially increasing the modeling I do (particularly I love runway modeling) and also doing more photoshoots.