We were lucky to catch up with Nandi Mooney recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nandi, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
This is actually a challenging question, and I’m still learning. I believe you never truly get over it; you just elevate to the next step, and the cycle repeats. When I was starting out, I often thought, “This person is better than me, that person is better than me,” without realizing that I just needed to be better than the version of myself from the beginning of the week. I then had to learn that talent doesn’t necessarily equate to paid jobs. I encountered individuals who admitted that I was “better” than they were, yet they were charging more than me. I questioned whether I was not profitable or if I had no idea what I was doing. It became a constant internal battle between myself and the desire to be the best I could be.
I also struggled with comparing my equipment and resources to others. Observing someone with high-end gear made me question if my little DSLR was enough. I needed to shift my focus to getting better rather than dwelling on external comparisons. I believe I’ve improved significantly because I stopped seeking approval outside of myself. Overcoming the emotional hurdles involved falling and scraping my knee, but it was necessary for growth. I found myself desiring success without putting in the work to get there. So, I learned more, turned to YouTube, sought mentorship, and did everything necessary to break free from the comparison loop, even if only temporarily.
I now repeat this mantra: “If I did not deserve it, I wouldn’t be afforded this opportunity.” Ultimately, I remember all the work I put in to reach this point. And as I get into bigger rooms , little by little I shed the imposter syndrome off.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
So, this year marks my last year of active duty military, and I will then transition to full-time photography. The journey is daunting for various reasons, with the top concern being the unknown—I’m taking this on entirely by myself. While I am excited, there’s also a nervousness that accompanies the transition. A significant portion of my life has been dedicated to working for others while relegating my dreams to part-time status. I am determined not to continue down that path.
What does this mean for my future endeavors? Well, I will be traveling more and available for shoots, attending castings, and building community relationships to foster growth in the inner city. Additionally, I plan to move towards teaching portraiture in schools because legends only fade when their stories cease to be passed down. I aspire to make my name known, and I am already working towards that goal.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Growing up in the worst parts of the inner city definitely shaped a “making something out of nothing” mindset for me. If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to hustle, and I believe that’s the most impactful aspect of my journey. When it comes to working towards a goal, I will put in the effort. I find myself intrinsically motivated with the ability to keep getting back up—it’s like my superpower.
Maintaining a level of knowledge has always been crucial for me, regardless of where I was. Coming from a background without much financial privilege, I couldn’t afford to be both broke and ignorant. I had to utilize my resources wisely. If I had to claim anything as impactful in this journey, it’s the commitment to never giving up and surrounding oneself with people who will provide support when you fall.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Change. The. Environment. There is something in the air in coffee shops that I swear is in the sound of those expresso machines. I find moving myself way from my blocks helps so much. Also write it down, the notes the bad days, hell the good days too. Just work in a different space , learn to adapt and handle one thing at a time. A good friend of mine in the military told me that we need to do the small work first , that if you try to take on to much at one time you will fail not because you cannot do it but because you cannot eat a steak In on bite. So my advice would be that, take the small stuff the learning the making the website perfect etc. Then tackle more and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: photosbynefertiti.com
- Instagram: thephotographernefertiti.nef
- Linkedin: nandi mooney
- Twitter: nefertitiphotos
Image Credits
Models: Sharay Mccain, Harley , Nyjah Interior design of Hendo Loft
