We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nayana Gadde a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nayana, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Photography has always been a love of mine since high school. I remember using extra money from working overtime to upgrade my camera, moving up from the beginner model I’d used for years. My favorite subject was my late cat, Maggie, who was the perfect model and reignited my joy for photography that I had forgotten during post-grad life. Her sudden passing two years ago left me feeling lost and unfulfilled again. Like so many, I can say she was my lifeline, helping me get through tough days.

After working as an ER nurse through COVID, my mental health took a major hit. I moved to a different department, but I often wondered, “Is this all there is?” Nursing was my passion, but I was burnt out. That same year, I enrolled in grad school as a backup plan in case bedside patient care became too much. But it felt like all I did was work or study, leaving life feeling empty. I wanted something for myself. So, in late fall 2023, I started my photography business while still working full-time and being in grad school. It required a lot of investment in equipment, a crash course in social media, and learning how to market myself. Balancing the financial risk with everything I had going on was daunting and even now, my photography business takes up a lot of the free time I have. However, a year later, I can say it’s been worth it.

Through my photography, I’ve been able to make a difference, taking pictures of adoptable animals to help them find homes. I’ve met so many cool people through working with rescues and shelters. Seeing pets I’ve photographed out for a walk makes my day! It’s rewarding to see my passion make an impact, giving me purpose beyond just working to work and survive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a 29 year old nurse living in Philly with my two cats, Violet & Petunia (Tuna for short). I’ve been into photography since high school and remember trying to take pictures of the constellations and the moon in my parents’ backyard. After my cat passed away suddenly and trying to find more to life after working as an ER nurse through COVID, I started my photography business, with a main focus on pets, late fall 2023. I am also an affiliate photographer for The Tilly Project, which connects people around the world with photographers for end-of-life pet sessions. I am proud that between balancing a full-time job and grad school, I’ve still been able to photograph 61 adoptable pets (and counting!) in this past year and helped them find homes.
I chose to focus mainly on pet photography because, like so many others, I see pets as true family members. Giving people lasting memories of their pets is priceless. When my own cat passed, I spent weeks looking through old photos, with each picture tied to a cherished memory. I want the photos I take for others to evoke that same joy, allowing them to look back and be reminded of happy moments shared with their beloved pets.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A simple goal – to help animals in Philadelphia in honor of my cat Maggie Noodles.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I might have a bit of an advantage since I’m photographing cute animals (who can resist them?), but creating posts that connect with people is essential. Instead of just sharing photos, I find that including a bit of background about the photo session and the pet’s story makes a real difference. Reels have also been great for showing people the process, which I think people tend to be curious about. I feel that this approach helps people resonate more deeply with each post and feel a genuine connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nayanaphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngpawpics/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayanagadde

Image Credits

Nayana Photography LLC