Meet Imani Givertz | Photographer & Social Media Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Imani Givertz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Imani, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I would say that this pandemic has really impacted the way I understand work-life balance. I used to be a productivity addict with a co-dependent mindset on my achievements. Covid-19 has completely knocked that out of me.

1) I couldn’t work for a period of time and I learned that I am much more than what I do or how much money I make.

2) When I could work again, I had to be extremely cautious of how I was treating myself and my body, and that meant not overdoing it so my immune system could stay strong.

Now, as we all start getting back into the workforce, I’m trying to keep the awareness I’ve obtained and still work extremely hard but rest really hard at the same time. I’ve learned that I serve others way better if I take time to serve myself as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Thank you! I’d like to think that my art is truly an extension of my soul. Everything I get to do, I try to do with immense care and as if it’s the last thing I’ll ever get to do if that makes sense.

Something I’m extremely excited about and proud of is my photo book, ‘Portraits of Flowers’ that I just released this October. The book has been a dream of mine for years and the time and space provided by Covid taking away all my 2020 plans as a touring music photographer, made it so I could really focus on it and bring that dream to life. It really brought life and light to a time that has ultimately sucked.

The coffee table book is full of flowers photographed in natural light, an exclusive playlist with songs I listened to while creating the book, and the special edition boxes come with a coloring book of illustrations of the flowers as well as a dried flower that is photographed fresh in the book. It truly is one of my favorite things I’ve ever created and I’m so thankful to get to share it with the world.

How I got to where I am today is a question I’ve tried to ask myself on the regular. Mostly because I never want to forget but also, for the most part, I have no idea other than Jesus, 10+ years of hard work, crying in the bathroom of jobs I hated while trying to focus on making my side hustle my main hustle, and loving what I do too much to do anything else. It isn’t easy, but it’s most definitely worth it.

You asked about overcoming challenges earlier and I’ve learned that overcoming challenges really looks like preparing yourself for the next set of challenges because if you’re not being challenged, you’re not progressing. To push forward is to receive pushback.

I am so incredibly thankful to get to make art and to help carry the visions of others and that I don’t take the gifts of this chapter in my life lightly. It’s truly an honor and privilege to create what I create and with who I create it with.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my incredible community. I literally wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my close friends who cheer me on, employ me, recommend me, and overall love me in all seasons of life and business. Two books that have changed the way I work and exist are You Are A Badass and You Are A Badass At Making Money, both by Jen Sincero. Those books have helped me come to terms with my personal badassery as well as my business badassery. And of course, the bands and artists I’ve gotten to work with and for these past few years. I can’t wait for us all to be back on tour.

Website: imanigivertz.com
Instagram: instagram.com/imanigivertz
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/imanigivertz
Twitter: twitter.com/imanigivertz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imanigivertzphotography

Image Credits
Photo of me with flowers by Stephanie Tarno Photo of me with LED Light on my head: Rachel Torrico