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

Hi Lani Nicole, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My photography business was started in 2010. This entire path has been risk taking and will always be. I created the business in Phoenix, AZ which I then escalated quickly to a traveling photographer. I was flying back and forth to New York (my hometown – Long Island) every 6 months for clients while also shooting in Phoenix consistently.

In 2014, I took the leap and moved to San Diego and took my business with me. The risk to relocate a brand & business into a new city, starting from scratch while being persistent to travel still was a huge gamble. But I had to take it. Slowly yet surely, Black Moon Images was re-established and growing here in San Diego. The support & connections made here; were and continue to be a large influence to keep going.

In 2021, I put Black Moon Images on hold and started doing more art in different mediums…Tattoo’s and Painting Watercolors. My brain was like “Hey let’s add one more risk into the mix and restart a whole new career path so that in 3 years I can relaunch my photography and be a full time artist again.” Shortly after this decision, I tested positive for BRCA2, which is the genetic factor for Ovarian and Breast Cancer. Now the risk factors really started to come into play. Do I keep going with a tattoo apprenticeship? Do I just settle with life? Do I just put all my wants on hold until after my surgeries?

Fast forward to 2023, I’ve re-Launched and working on a rebrand for Black Moon Images while working through my tattoo apprenticeship. I’ve had 5 cancer preventative surgeries, and many set backs. But isn’t that all a part of the risk in doing what makes us happy? Risk is always going to be there. It just depends on how uncomfortable you are willing to get so that you can grow.

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.
My photography quote is and forever will be ” Create. Inspire. Empower. ” I remind myself daily you are your brand. How you show up. How you present yourself. How the world views you. I throw this on my clients daily whether it be on a shoot or during a tattoo. Create and allow your brain to think outside the box. Inspire others to be themselves and live the life they want. Empower them in all their choices. All good things come from a F*CK YES. Life isn’t easy, but if you are determined – The world is yours.

My photography is mainly focused around boudoir, content creating, traveling and location family photoshoots. I like to capture moments that will last forever. The ones you didn’t even see coming.

My tattoo style is currently evolving as I work through my apprenticeship. Currently i’m doing a ton of black & grey but really want to move into more color work as well. Mandala’s, Florals, anything with skulls.. lets go!

Watercolor painting is my happy place. I taught myself watercolor after my mom passed away and I got her art studio set up.

Whatever you want is yours… are you willing to put in the work to get it? F*ck yes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d hike somewhere depending on the day.. Cowels, Three Sisters, Devils Punchbowl. Do a beach walk and enjoy the sunshine. Grab some food at one of the many amazing restaurants San Diego has to offer. Some places we’d meander to would be Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla… I have a list of restaurants as they are ever growing here with new places so we’d for sure pick off those! Maybe paddle board, go to fiesta island and have a fire. Balboa walks and explore the beautiful city of San Diego. I’ve lived here 9 years and still learn more and more every time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Black Moon Images, Thank you Brian Austin for being a friend, a mentor and dedicating so much time and long nights to teach me all the photography elements. Thank you to all my friends, family, clients for the never ending referrals, bookings, travel requests, love and support to make me want to keep going.

Tattoo Apprenticeship, Thank you Matt Phelan at Vessel Tattoo for taking someone like me in that new nothing about the industry but wanted to learn everything. For your patience, time, support and push to keep going. Everyone at the shop (Nicki, Horhay, Chris, Matty, Marco) for all of their support & patience. Being surrounded by such incredible artists is inspiring on a daily basis. My friends that trusted me in the very beginning to do some terrible and not so terrible tattoos and the clients and friends that continue to trust me through this process. My friends in the industry that I can reach out to for support near and far. and Last but not least my family and friends for saying “Go For It” and supporting my chaotic fueled decisions.

Website: www.blackmoonimages.com

Instagram: @lani_nicole_x

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.