We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jah-Isha Moise a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jah-Isha, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As a content creator and overall digital artist, imposter syndrome is something that I find myself battling quite often. First, I had to identify why I was struggling so badly. Offering vulnerability and allowing the world into the romanticized version of your most precious moments is a huge mental and emotional burden. The hard truth is there is as much of a chance of rejection and criticism as there is acceptance and praise. This may be TMI, but next, I identified one of my biggest triggers as being the hormonal imbalance that occurs every month like clockwork. You know, the time of the month when women tend to overthink anything and are indecisive about everything? Yes, this is when I most often find myself taking a step back to recognize that I am straight-up TRIPPING. To counter the pressure that I experience during an episode of imposter syndrome, I practice a lot of positive self-talk and seek the Armor of God, particularly the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. I created a list of scriptures to combat those negative thoughts and push past fear and doubt. My favorite scripture is Matthew 5:14-16. Striving for resilience and managing imposter syndrome is challenging, but we all know that pressure creates diamonds.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Jah-Isha, a 28-year-old solo mom of three (ages 8, 3, and 2), a Maternity Portrait Photographer, and Content Creator. A few days ago, my 8-year-old began writing her first book, which made me realize that my passion for storytelling began early in my childhood. Around the same age, I would write short stories on road trips back and forth from Pittsburgh to Brooklyn. Oh, how I wish I still had those stories today. Growing up, I was fascinated with birth and always had a passion for babies, so storytelling through the journey of motherhood via digital forms has always felt like my destiny. I am currently settling into my special style of photography, which is exciting because I used to draw inspiration from other artists. Now I am going to be the source where up-and-coming artists draw inspiration from. I am proud to now be diving deep into what makes my style unique and sets it apart from my peers! I love it when my clients share their background and purpose for choosing me. Most of the time, they give me full creative freedom, while other times they trust me to execute whatever vision they have. I blend their story with my artistic style and bring it to life in front of the camera, in a comfortable atmosphere that fosters bonding for my clients. I then deliver the photographs in luxurious tangible products. Clients often express how much more impactful the experience is once they hold the photos in their hands. The best part is that every day when they walk past those images, they can reminisce about one of the best times of their lives.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
On this Journey to Jah-Isha (The title of my YouTube Channel), I have been told over and over again that I am strong, resilient, and bold. I learned that my resilience can be sourced from my determination, strategy, and the grace of God. Mental maturity is also an attribute of my success. I see things as a mind game, and I am a competitive person. I was born and partially raised in Brooklyn, New York, to a family with West Indian roots (I am Jamaican and Haitian). I feel like the hustle and grit is in my DNA. If you know, then you know. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to acknowledge that I literally wouldn’t be where I am if it were not for my village of supporters. These individuals have been riding alongside me on the journey to Jah-Isha for many years, keeping me grounded and holding me up with different resources and sometimes words of encouragement. The sport of softball shaped me growing up. Softball taught me how to see the bigger picture in any situation and trained me to prepare for multiple unexpected outcomes and to be one step ahead of the game. In my adulthood, I can say that giving birth to my son unmedicated and unassisted changed who I am forever, It reassured that I am capable of all things I put my mind to.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always open to collaboration! After all, teamwork makes the dream work. I am looking to collaborate with someone who has a similar audience or common interest. I am a maternity and baby photographer, so maybe someone who makes baby clothes, props, or custom maternity/postpartum gifts. My content niches are motherhood, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, beauty, faith, and self-care. I am a mother of three and an entrepreneur, so my time is almost always tied up. I like to meet people initially to get to know them and make sure we are a good match and serious about proceeding before we go half on a project. I can be contacted on IG through my DM @jahisha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://capturedbyjmoise.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahisha/
- Facebook: Jah-Isha Moise
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jahisha
Image Credits
Images by Jah-Isha Moise (Self) Captured by J.Moïse on social media
