We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nina Simmons. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nina below.
Nina , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
What God has for me is for me and because I trust that so intently, my confidence is at an all time high. When you have a strong level of confidence it becomes easier to be effective. Success is in the eye of the beholder, meaning it is a personal opinion. You can be a millionaire and a miserable unhappy person, where is the success in that? But to be effective along with affluence changes things. So learning how to gain this type of confidence is flooding yourself with knowledge. Learn about your craft, read books often, get around people that know more than you and soak up their knowledge. Guess what, it’s not who you know but what you know that makes you effective and brings you into a successful place.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Tanya, everyone calls me Nina after my business Nina Dior Photography. I’ve been in Photography for over 4 years now. I am an artist. A creative. My craft has taken me places I never ever thought I would go. I’ve shot for the NCA all the way to New York Fashion Week. I’m so grateful. I started with shooting fashion shows and portraits and have now made my way to become a Business Branding Photographer. This is what I love to do.
I am preparing to launch a new Business Brand Photography Studio/Company for 2024. There are so many new businesses being created that have no idea how to market themselves or their products, I want to be the one that stands in the gap for them. I want every new business as well as established running to me to represent their brand with the most beautiful images without breaking the bank. I provide a very cost effective way to do this and the fastest turnaround time in the DFW area. 48-72 hours is when you get your images back, edited and always the highest definition!
I am excited to be apart of business growth in DFW and hopefully worldwide one day. So if you know of a new business coming up, send this article to them and send them my way!!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Discipline. Consistency. Balance.
I will say this, the journey is not going to be easy. Anyone that wants to be effective in a huge way in this world will have a tough journey to go through. Do not ever let someone teach you about something they have not gone through. The 3 keys that I have learned to get you through that tough journey is (1) discipline. You will have days when you do not feel like dealing with it.. whatever the “it” is.. do it anyway. And then do it again and again until the voice in your head that tries to stop you shuts up. (2) Consistency is huge. You will run into this issue where nothing is happening and you want to say man forget this. Don’t quit. Persevere though the doubt and frustration and keep believing it IS going to happen because it IS going to happen. Keep going and stay consistent. Thirdly, Balance your life. You are chasing this amazing dream you have, you are putting everything you have into it, all the sweat and tears but choose to have a day or a specific time of the day to decompress and remember why you are doing this. Grab a coffee, sit outside, read a book, watch your show, focus on your kids, focus on yourself, thank God for every single blessing and moment He’s given you. Balance. Find a time to step away from the “rat race” and BREATHE.
Refuel yourself and this will help you come back and conquer another week, which will keep you consistent and disciplined.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
My Bible. Might sound like a cliché but It is what I start my day with. Everyday. It gives me everything I need. When I’m exhausted, it teaches me how to find rest. Stress..It brings me peace. Wisdom is all through the Bible from beginning to the end. It has become what I go to before anything or anyone else. I would have an issue or several and the first person I would call is my mommy, I knew she would have the answer to it all. She however, would redirect me to my bible. Again and again until eventually I learned oh, that’s where she’s getting all her answers! Lol, so now it is where I go for mine first and foremost. Here’s a nugget of wisdom, start in Psalms and Proverbs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NinaDior.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina.dior.photography/
Image Credits
Faith Knight-Fashion Model-Campbel Agency Nichole’ Luke-Fashion Model Jimmie Lavon Sanders-Hair By Jimmie Salon and Spa Amber Brown-The Amber Brown Look Jenny B.-Marie B Collection Makeup By Maxx
