Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Simmons.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve worked in corporate America since I was 16 and it was never satisfying to me. It is something that is instilled in you at a young age, get a 9-5 and make a steady paycheck. Me, I’m a go-against-the-grain kind of girl. I moved to Texas in 2015 from Oklahoma City. I sold everything in my townhouse, and whatever I could fit in my 2-door car is what I brought. I didn’t know what I wanted to do out here exactly, but I knew I wanted to have my own something. Someone close to me at the time told me I was too weak for TX and I wouldn’t make it… I used frustration from that as fuel-driven motivation. During the process of me figuring things out, I sold cable door to door (in this crazy Texas heat) I did my own event & wedding planning, and I sold credit card machines for a company.
I met an interesting girl at the credit card company. Something about her I just loved; she made me laugh, her energy was always up, and we clicked. Her name was Lorena. She was a Photographer outside of work. She introduced Photography to me. I took everything she taught me and ran with it. God blessed it and the next thing I knew I had sessions all over DFW. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had to pay my dues; I’ve done a lot of paying my dues. Being an entrepreneur comes with a lot of stress and anxiety until you so-called “make it.” I’m still climbing to the top, but now I can say that I’ve shot at the AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys, I’ve shot in Miami, Florida for NCA, I’ve shot in Manhattan, New York for New York Fashion Week, and I could go on. I’m so Blessed.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing about Entrepreneurship is smooth, quite the opposite actually. It’s extremely mental. It is choosing every day to keep going regardless of what it looks like. It’s a faith walk. My family is mostly in Oklahoma City, so I am here with only my ex-husband/the father of my boys helping me. I’ve had to learn how to motivate myself and encourage myself. Ignore the thoughts of failure and push through. Live in the present and stay focused on the goal. A lot of my life has become just about my kids and working. I’m ok with that though because I’m reaching my goals. The ultimate goal is to leave a legacy for boys, and I’m on my way to it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Portrait Photographer; however, I also specialize in Event and Commercial Photography as well as Fashion and Action Photography. Recently I’ve been stepping into Real Estate Photography. I love it all! I love offering beautiful images. I offer my images in 24-48 hours. I’m not sure who else is doing that, but I am. All of my clients know that I don’t do a session without music and good energy. I love it when my clients feel good, it shows up in their images. I’m proud of my name Nina Dior; it’s unforgettable!! I stand behind it, and I stand behind my work.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I have way too many great childhood memories, but one of my favorites is when my dad would pull out our go-cart. I think he put a Turbo V-8 engine on the back of that thing because when he started it up, when we heard it, we would come running. We knew we were going to fly through the neighborhood doing like 60mph, coming around the corner on 2 wheels! Omg, that was so much fun!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NinaDior.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina.dior.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latanya.simmons.1
Image Credits
Lorena Garcia
Paeton Wilson
Cara Talayeh
Higgs Jimmie
Lavon Sanders
Amber Brown
Nichole’ Luke
Izzy & Michaela Bedsole
