We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nandi Mooney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nandi below.
Nandi , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?
You know, I think one of the things Corporate America doesn’t quite get right in our industry is the whole idea of sticking strictly to a niche as a photographer. It’s like they believe if you step outside that box, you’re suddenly a “master of none.” Personally, I find that kind of thinking a bit limited. In my experience, diving into various types of photography actually makes you better overall. Just look at art – when you explore different mediums, it enriches your perspective and improves your specialization. I’m all about breaking those boundaries and not being confined when learning. If you want to truly rock a niche, I’m a firm believer that you’ve got to embrace all sides of the craft. That’s when you start approaching that sweet spot of perfection, you know?
My journey into the art world didn’t actually start with photography; it began with illustration. I had this desire to draw, and I mean, I couldn’t resist it. So, what I used to do – and this was back in Cleveland, and if you’re familiar with the downtown, you already know, I’d hop on the rapid, and I’d see all these interesting people. I’d be sketching them out the entire ride home. Let me tell you, there were some real …interesting people on the rapid , kids skipping School law students and some folks just trying to get home.
Funny thing is, this fascination with drawing people on the move eventually led me to photography. I realized that my love for sketching people living and capturing their movements could be translated into photography. It’s incredible how drawing and photography can influence each other. Sketching people has this amazing way of helping me with posing in photography and even when I’m putting together a mood board. It just gives me a fresh perspective on how to approach different poses and moods. It’s like my illustration background and photography work hand in hand to make my art even better.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those who haven’t booked with me yet, I’m Nandi Nefertiti Mooney. My journey into photography took a serious turn back in 2013. Back then, I honestly had no clue about handling my father’s Fujifilm point and shoot camera. It was just this new gadget in the house, and naturally, I wanted to mess around with it , after all my dad hardly touched it . My artistic roots mostly stemmed from illustration, but creativity has been a constant companion throughout my life – from choir to poetry.
As I started exploring photography, it weighed on me that there was a lack of representation for people who looked like me. I know, it might sound a bit cliché, but it was genuinely frustrating. This was 2013, a time when modeling agencies were barely stepping out of their comfort zones. Everyone seemed to fit a certain mold, and growing up in the inner city, being poor, you sort of have to carve your own path. So, I began photographing what I found beautiful, starting with my brother’s dance crew, then my friends, and as fate would have it, I made friends who were not just beautiful but also became my subjects.
Fast forward, and here I am – a brand and commercial photographer in California. The journey’s been wild. I’ve captured UFC fighters, champions, got my work published internationally (can you believe it?), and even taught classes. Who would’ve thought, right? It all solidified during a photography group meet up, where Giann Corey and Cassandra took us to this abandoned observatory. Corey let me use his 50 mm lens for my Nikon. It was kind of symbolic – everyone else had these full-frame cameras, and I had what I could afford. But that didn’t deter me. I’ve funded all my equipment, saving up bit by bit, buying used gear. It deepened my love for photography.
But now, in the present, I’m in California – a brand / portrait photographer. And I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’ve shot UFC fighters, got published internationally, and I’ve got this fire to keep learning. What sets me apart, I think, is how much I enjoy my sessions. I genuinely want to connect with the people I photograph. I want them comfortable and informed well before the shoot, so when we meet, it’s like catching up with a long-lost cousin. Comfort is key, and I strive to make all my clients feel amazing when we’re done.
Proud moments? There have been many. From shedding tears when I got my first publication to receiving my first full-frame camera. But what really makes me proud is that I’m not done growing. I’ve left those insecurities behind. While others might get complacent, I’m always hungry for more. Want a portrait? Let’s put it in a magazine. Got it in a magazine? Let’s aim for Vogue. There are no limits. And that’s what I’m most proud of – breaking free from my own limitations.
I think it’s important for potential clients to understand that my goal is to bring out the absolute best version of themselves. Sometimes we tend to overlook the fact that we’re living art in our own unique way, and that’s where I come in. My job is to capture that essence, that living masterpiece that you are. And that’s precisely why I’d love to be your photographer. I really want this as much as I want oxygen so obviously this is like my life.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to undervalue myself to be accepted and seen in the industry. Let me give you the backstory on that. I was incredibly eager to make a name for myself and have my art recognized, so I dove in headfirst. The result? Burnout, and it came fast.
I was so determined to be booked that I started offering crazy-low prices, essentially devaluing the entire photography industry in my own way. Just picture this: I was investing in courses, editing software, studio rentals, and all sorts of expenses. And what did I charge? A mere $175 for more than 20 photos, including studio rental costs. I was essentially paying for the studio out of that $175.
Sure, I was booked all right, but I was working myself into the ground, and for what? Almost falling out of love with photography because I was working so much for next to nothing in return. Looking back, I wish I had taken the time to understand my worth better and learn how to value my work properly. It was a tough lesson to unlearn, but it’s made me a stronger and wiser photographer today.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
unding my business and getting the initial capital I needed to start was a bit of an unconventional journey, to say the least. You see, I joined the Navy. Yep, you heard that right, I took the military route.
While enlisting in the Navy wasn’t solely motivated by my desire to pursue art, it was a big part of the decision. I knew that if I wanted to make my passion for art a reality, I needed a stable source of income to support it. And, let’s face it, art school wasn’t exactly in the budget for me at the time.
Looking back, it might seem like an unexpected path, but it’s a testament to how determined I was to make my passion for art a reality. Sometimes, you have to take a unique route to achieve your goals, and for me, that meant donning a uniform while pursuing my artistic dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: photosbynefertiti.com
- Instagram: thephotographernefertiti.nef
- Twitter: nefertitiphotos
Image Credits
Models: Sharay Mccain, Nakeyia Thomas, Rachel Ray, Jadah