Carmen was raised in Miami throughout her childhood and teen years. When she graduated high school, she moved to the hip South Beach area and managed a Brazilian bikini shop on South Beach where she learned Portuguese. But that was not enough for the young aspiring model and photographer. She wanted to venture to the either side of the coast, California! Carmen spent several years in San Diego while she surfed, worked and attended college for photography, fashion and business. Carmen also assisted a photographer on the side for the experience in the modeling industry.