I really enjoy contemplating life on many levels: physically, metaphysically, superficially and pretty much any other ‘…icially’ you can come up with

Heeeellooo!! I enjoy romantic novels and long walks on the beach…any takers? Haha, well even if that was true I’m not that easy.. Well, I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. My family is mainly Italian. And to answer the three immediate questions following that statement. No, I don’t speak Italian, I don’t like pasta and I’ve yet to go to Italy. All in good
time, I guess. I Love animals, “I love ALLLL Animals” to quote Ace Ventura. I studied Psychology and Business at the University of Miami specializing in the rate in which sun tans beautifully sculpted bodies. Tough job. I even had to travel to Brazil where I found my muse for my thesis. It took many tiring hours on the beach. Psychology really helped me realize how crazy I really am. I kind of knew that already but now I can label it with a fancy word. I really enjoy contemplating life on many levels; physically, metaphysically, superficially and pretty much any other ‘…icially’ you can come up with. You’d be surprised how many different inspiring views people have if you allow yourself to be open minded enough to consider the possibility. “Why?” is an important word for me in my life, with that said, Please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times for down the rabbit hole we go.

Her passion for photography comes from a terrific heritage!

Ever since I could remember I’ve appreciated beauty. It resonates within me beyond a point where words can explain. My cousin, David Vance, is a well-known photographer who has an incredible gift of capturing beauty. When I was growing up he would tell me stories of how much fun they would have in his studio and how my mother would transform in front of him like magic. One day when I was about 10 he showed me a picture he took of my mother who at the time was maybe 26. Mind you, I cant tell the difference between us when I see a picture of either of us as teens. The second I saw the picture it was as though I was looking into the future to what I could be in 16 years. She was standing alone posed like a marbled goddess. He draped her with a large piece of rose cloth that she held to look like a haute couture gown. It was the second. The glance. The recognition. The discovery. The connection. The moment.

The first test shoot was an interesting introduction to the world behind the scenes. That there is in fact a wizard behind every curtain. I was about 16 in the heat of volleyball when we collectively motivated to do my first shoot. We thought aboutwhat we wanted to create, put together a few outfits, put the sneakers in the closet and grabbed the heels. I’m standing with my side to the camera holding a wide step, up against the wall in this fitted short black dress. I’m getting directions from how to tilt my head, where to press on my feet to create the right muscle in my thigh without making my calf look too muscular, hold the tummy in, lift from your core, pull your shoulders back, angle the shoulders a little to the left, don’t clench your hands, tighten your hamstring but don’t clench your toes, soften the muscles in your neck, HOLD IT! TIGHTEN! Oh WAIT your hair is out of place. DON’T move. OK! Now look. OH! No wait! OK! Try to look relaxed, look into the camera and give me… Cristina. At that moment ‘Cristina’ was a shaking body about to go into convulsions. So I turn and look. Flash, flash, flash. I said ok I’m going to try a sexy look. He says, “Great!” he looks through the camera. I give my look and he says,“I’m ready when you are”. So I keep giving my look then he finally says, “Do you have something in your eye?” It’s important for me to have a connection with a photographer, to find something we both can relate to. Whether we find a connection energetically or with a mutual vision. Anyone can take pictures but few can catch a moment. A moment of truth that only a fraction of a second could reveal. Some of the best experiences no matter what you are doing consist of two people who are able to maintain their individuality, apply it in an attempt to synergistically create a new element.

The element created is what’s beautiful for it is the result of two individuals who were conscious and open enough to find any
similarities they might have and worked together to create it. The shoes were to big for her!!! Yes, interesting things always happen during cat walks. The intriguing part is how the unexpected incident is handled. I’ve walked for several International designers as well as Roberto Cavalli and Dolce&Gabana. I was doing a show for Nike and it was my turn to walk. Unfortunately my shoes were too big for me. No problem. I figured I would be a good sport. I start doing my thing, all confident, keeping my eyes just beyond the cameras, getting into the music then I trip! I fly through the air and land right on my face. That second lasted a year. Some time just after the shrieks and gasps something came over me to just start doing push ups. I figured how appropriate. I turn to do sit-ups as if I was getting ready for a serious track event. I jump up, run in place, punch the air, throw in a couple jumping jacks and yell. “JUST DO IT! NIKE!”

Cristina, the fashionista? The choices depend on her mood

I have always enjoyed putting outfits together no matter the occasion. My choices really depend on my mood on that particular day. Some days I feel like I want to dress as if I just walked out of a tea party hosted by Ralph Lauren and St. John and some days I feel like wearing jeans and a baseball cap. Whatever is appealing to me yet appropriate.

Cristina by herself

The fans: I find fans to be very important especially in the warmer regions. Honestly, I strongly believe it’s important to be aware of how influential each of us can be. Whether someone is viewed by many or just a few we still have the ability to affect those around us positively and negatively. Some where inside me there has always been obligation to lead by example. If there are those who appreciate aspects of my life enough to refer to them then I feel just as appreciative and try to show my appreciation through kindness and care for others just as I try to maintain a sense of well-being within myself. With regard to private matters, it seems for me to be self-explanatory.

Human Rights and Sexual Behavior: To be able to be free and not be afraid to say what you feel or to express yourself to others is a beautiful and liberating power of enlightenment. Unfortunately, Like anything there will be those who abuse the
power and tell everyone and their mother to F off. Which results in nothing but hate and non-progression. Words are powerful; we need to use them with good intention. Lately I feel freedom of expression has been mutated into an abandonment of decency and mutual respect. We can’t lose our sense of decency in all issues. The motivations for our choices need to come from a place of love, where a common denominator is that of an overall well-being. We’ve learned to live our lives and make our choices, whether big or small, with fear. We focus on the fear, which clouds our judgment and openness to giving and loving. We justify it by wanting to be prepared for the worst; in turn, we neglect the recognition of goodness in people and potential in ourselves. Sure using fear as an accessory or a tool to acknowledge possible consequences is in our nature and can be useful in self-preservation but we shouldn’t let it be the driver of our lives. Fear is a dangerous phenomenon. Can you imagine never allowing yourself to reach your full potential because of a fear? We have to change the way in which we filter the world. The slightest shift in perspective can be the difference between a life of happiness and sorrow.

Dating X Love: I’m in love with the idea of love. The idea of having someone you connect with on levels you can’t explain. To have someone who understands you and wants to be there holding your hand through life. Constantly learning from each other, teaching each other, inspiring each other. Whenever I see or experience something I feel is spectacular, I find myself eager to share it with someone I love. Something as small as a song on the radio or a beautiful sunset. Is life meant to be experienced alone or with someone you can acknowledge the moment with?
Sports: I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy. My family is very athletic so I’ve always been around sports. I focused on volleyball in high school and played in college. Volleyball was very psychological to me. I was always aware of how helpful
sports were for me while growing up. It was a safe and very effective tool for stress relief.
Her way to attract someone’s attention: "Hi! I’m Cristina”….usually works.
Having fun, the places she goes and her way to enjoy the life: My favorite thing to do in the world is to laugh. Deep bellylaughs to where tears are streaming down your face, your stomach cramps and you can’t breath. To the point where there is not one ounce of strength left in your body. I try to always laugh with my family and good friends I don’t have to feel guarded with. I believe life is about experiences. Collect as many as you can. GO and do!! Connecting with people always seems to be a pleasant surprise for me. I constantly find myself dissecting life in the attempt of reaching some deeper meaning. Conversing with someone who stimulates your mind is one of the greatest gifts and fantastic experiences a person can have. Recognizing that some else contemplates to a similar extent, even draws the same conclusions, if your lucky, draws different conclusions but can articulate it in a way that enlightens you. That realization can change your world.
The craziest (nastiest?) thing she’s ever done in a summer time season: I plead the 5th
Fav body part and why: Lips- a smile is so powerful.

An unforgettable moment: What comes to mind is a crab and a pool net

One evening just after sunset I was sitting on the patio watching the sky darken when I caught something move in the corner
of my eye. I turn to see a crab probably the length of your index finger with his back up against a 4 foot high tiled bar and he freezes. I look away but can see that he slowly started to creep towards the house. I look again he freezes again. I go to get the pool net so I can take him back down to the dock. For some reason, I was terrified of this tiny crab. I don’t know if it’s all of these horror movies that plant this ridiculous thought that he would somehow leap through the air and cut out my eyeballs. Either way I Love animals and would never hurt one no matter how afraid I was. So, he gets to the end of the bar, which is very close to the back door. It’s a small space especially to properly maneuver a pool net to catch a blood thirsty, gravity defying crab. As I’m knocking the pole against every wall and shrieking with paranoia he’s going left, so I go left, then he goes right, so I go right. Right then, I start to imagine what this crab must be thinking.. This huge thingis screaming and banging into everything with this long contraption coming closer and closer to him. Yet, I’m afraid of this crab? Finally, it got to the point where this crab was done running he had no where to go. The big thing had him. In his reality, he reached his end. The moment of his death. The unforgettable moment. As I bring the net as close as I can to him…what does he do? He doesn’t cower but reaches up off of his legs, extends his beautiful Awesome claws towards the net. As in, “YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME! COME ON!” This was his moment . He was beautiful!

Seconds after that I managed to flip him upside down in the net taking ten seconds to get to the water and plopped him right
on a barnacle. Good as new. What I found so interesting was his reaction and how similar it was to how people react to things they don’t understand. He couldn’t comprehend the fact that I was trying to help him. All he knew was that this huge thing, which he didn’t understand was coming at him so he became scared and defensive. He tried all he could do. In the last moment he embraces his fear and faces his death. It made me think about how many times I thought I was alone because things weren’t going my way so I fought them and became frustrated, not realizing that just because I don’t understand why things happen doesn’t mean I’m not being helped on a bigger scale. My limited perspective creates the fear. I hope I can one day embrace my fears and face them head on- stretching out and giving it all I’ve got.

Main motto: Treat others, as you would like to be treated.
Full name: Cristina Perillo
Pics and info contact: David Vance photography http://www.davidvance.com