Today we’d like to introduce you to Inaiya Giles.
Hi Inaiya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a kid there was so many things I wanted to do and be growing up. But as I grew older so did my interest and hobbies. My father is a creative who would always help/inspire me with class projects or paintings that he would be able to complete. Another big thing that I can say caught my eye was all the family albums and memories that my mother, father and grandparents all keep around the house. Being able to look back at memories from back in the day made me realize how much I wanted to create my own. I started taking small things like polaroids, and then slowly started getting into sports photography when I was in high school. From there I received my first camera and decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Started going out and taking pictures outside of my football team and capturing the world around me. My mother and sister always support me through every avenue and speak life into me every chance that they get. Having my family/friends be my muses through any project or shoot that I planned out in my head will forever mean something to me. I started college in 2019 at San Jose State where I decided to further my education in photography. In a whole different area than home and having to learn my surroundings I had whole new muses and tools around me. My first ever shoot was in 2021 and I had a couple of friends pose for me outside and that really pushed me to want more. How can I edit this differently, what do I want my next shoot to be, who do I want in it all questions I asked myself. Sure enough my next couple shoots I definitely saw the improvement but still needed to be better. Since this time I was also in school I had to take what I was learning and apply that to my shoots that I was completing outside of class. I got better though as time went on so did my skills, graduated with my degree in 2023 and ever since then have been slowly but surely moving up.
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?
In this life nothing is every truly easy or hand given, but I always take the cards I am dealt with and make something out of nothing. In school I had everything I needed: equipment, unlimited access to photo labs, and teachers that were there to make sure we succeed. Also me knowing that the job market would not be as giving or promised as other career paths. Everybody around me would ask “So what’s your plans after college,” “Do you already have something lined up”? I would give the same shy look I would always give. Because honestly I did not know or was for certain what exactly I would be doing. Something I did know though that God would see me through with what I wanted to do and my village would always support me. Getting my own equipment has not been a super easy road but that is why slow and steady wins the race. I do not have all of the equipment I desiree at the moment, but I have acquired items that are necessary and help complete my projects. Even with my own space (studio) I don’t have my own YET but I often rent spaces in DTLA or make magic happen on location. Everyday is a new day for me to go out there and show who I am whether that be through social media or networking at events. Although as someone who is not as outgoing in a public setting I can say that holds me back from speaking up. But as I stated before it is a work in progress and now me advocating for myself has reached higher levels. As far as my “dream equipment or space” just know that will be coming soon. 😉
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I specialize in is such a hard question for me to answer lol because truly I love to do everything. I know I know there has to being something that I can focus and hone in on. So I will say I love studio work whether that’s portraits, commercial, or personal shoots. Being able to capture peoples special moments and get to show them the results I always love love their reactions. It gives me the most pride and joy to deliver such quality to work to my clients and get happy results. I can not leave out my love for film though that is where I capture all of my candid moments of my family, friends, and places that I travel to. Especially when I know these are times that I will not truly be able to recapture or get back ever. I have two shoots that I can say I am truly proud of that I even have framed inside my house. In 2023 for my gallery I chose to recreate my images from the past of my parents, grandmother, and myself. That whole gallery was dedicated to my family and showing the true definition of what family means to me. It makes me emotional because they are my everything. *I will not cry lol*. Another would be the maternity shoot I did for my sister Inari she trusted me to capture such a precious time in her life. When I showed her the images I knew right then and there that I knew I was on the right path. My personality and the way that I can adjust to any location for a shoot, like where I set up a backdrop outside on a balcony. Nobody would know that though unless you were there or able to witness a behind the scenes :).
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To always stay humble no matter what and to not talk down on the next person. You do not ever know what is going to happen and practicing what you preach goes a long way. Helping others out when they need a helping hand plus lifting others up. Having the morals that my parents instilled in me to no matter what happens to never change the person that I am. Stay that same girl who helps out others, promotes herself, and does not look down on anybody. That if I want to do something in this life make sure that I am giving a 1000% in whatever I am choosing to do. A quick little analogy I would like to mention is sometimes when we are going after a passion or drive, it can be like an bear trying to catch a fish for the first time at first they ( you) may not get it but after time and practice you will achieve that goal or (fish). Life can be very trying at times but do not give up! Fight back and make whatever you can out of this life the world is our oyster!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inaiya.imagery.com
- Instagram: Inaiya.imagery
Image Credits
All credits would be to @inaiya.imagery
