Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Imani Givertz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Imani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Thank you for having me! This depends on your view of success. If it’s money and image, I think it takes money and looks and probably some luck sprinkled in with hard work that doesn’t feel fun after a bit.

If it’s fulfillment, which is what I view as success, I think and am learning that it takes removing yourself out of scarcity mindset and into living with an abundance mindset.

Hard work; not just labor, but emotional, spiritual, and soul work. I’ve learned over the past few years that success has nothing to do with how much money I make, who sees my art, etc. It’s all about the trail I leave behind and the light ahead. It’s about the love we’re surrounded with and encompassed by. It’s about how freely we give and how slowly we take.

Imani, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I like to think that Art and creativity have been my path since birth, but the defining moment of my career began in late 2014, when I started writing and photographing for music publications. My love for sound and body language collided, and a world opened up in which I get to use my gifts to capture the energy & emotions of an industry that impacts everyone: Music.

I’m a Tour Photographer, Creative Director, and Friend, currently residing in Nashville, TN. It is my greatest joy to turn my client’s dreams and ideas into visual reality. While I’m best known as a photographer for people who, like me love emotion, I’m also fortunate to serve in other creative roles such as Project Manager, Social Media Strategist, and Content Manager. All of these roles allow me to help clients identify and execute their brand, communicating and promoting who they are across digital platforms.

The last 10 plus years of experience in Photography and Creative work have provided me with invaluable learning and tools that will last a lifetime. I’m grateful and honored to see what comes next, and who I cross paths with along the way.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I’m so blessed and thankful to say it did! I’ve been working since I was 14 (oops chid labor laws) and have had a job that provided consistent income until 2019 when I took a leap of faith and decided to make freelance photography and creative services a full-time gig for myself.

Like many others, the pandemic in 2020 took a huge toll on what I had planned for that year and in 2021 I went back to a corporate job at a record label which was a wonderful 11 months of growth and opportunity before deciding to go back to freelance at the beginning of 2022. Being able to confidently come back into this is a gift. I’m really thankful.

I started this business as a kid, with weird ideas and fun friends who let me bring them to life, and I said yes to every opportunity that moved me forward in the direction that would lead me to where I am today.

I feel like every day I get to do this is a key milestone. Sometimes I look at my life and my side-hustle turned career and am reminded that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the people who believe in my art and believe in me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Stories and human connection. I just want to help others communicate what is in their brain and heart, visually. One of my goals in life, not just in my art, is to help others feel seen by someone else and seen by themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: imanigivertz.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/imanigivertz
• Facebook: facebook.com/imanigivertzphotography
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/imanigivertz
• Twitter: twitter.com/imanigivertz
• Other: bio.site/imanigivertz