Hidden Gems: Meet Imanni Thomas of Nini Collection’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imanni Thomas.

Hi Imanni, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Imanni Thomas. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I am an actor, photographer, and model. I have a young daughter named Wisdom. I am the oldest of six siblings. I have two younger brothers that come from my mom’s side, and three sisters, and one brother on my dad’s side. I grew up living in affordable housing with my single mother, and my two younger brothers. My father has always been a part of my life, and we have a very close bond and relationship, but my parents never married, so unfortunately, I did not get to grow up seeing them both coexist in one household together. Growing up living with my mom, we were not wealthy or rich, but my mother was a hard worker, and she was determined to take care of us, provide stability, and to make sure we felt loved. My mother always made sure there was food on the table, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs. At an early age I was taught the importance of independence, education, and following my dreams. As a little girl I always knew I was destined to be a superstar, I have always had a powerful sense of purpose and belonging to this world. In middle school I knew I wanted to be an actor. So, I became involved in theatre during my seventh-grade year, and I really loved preforming in front of different audiences and environments. I was also involved in theatre during high school, which was fun. Some of my acting credits include; Anne Frank, The Wizard of Oz Musical, Sister Act the Musical, Twelve Angry Men, and The Color Purple Musical. In high school, I also wanted to be able to make my own money. I wanted the ability to have my own independence to buy the stuff I wanted that my parents could not afford to buy me. At the age of fourteen years old I worked for Noodles and Company and following that I have had several jobs throughout high school ending with the longest job I have ever kept which was TJMaxx a clothing company that I worked with for over three years from ages sixteen through eighteen. During my journey working for corporate America, I realized quickly that I had no desire to work jobs and be employed by managers who could control my time, and the amount of money I could make. I had this deep urge to work for myself… I wanted to somehow become my own boss, but I had no idea how that was going to happen until the year 2020. During that year I discovered a hidden talent for photography that came out of nowhere. It all started when I received a camera for my sixteenth birthday. From there I started to capture images as a hobby. I would go downtown and capture images of interesting characters that I observed on the street, and I would also take random pictures of places and things. Soon enough, it became a new business venture when I decided that I had a natural eye and talent to capture images. I thought to myself… “I am actually good at this! What if I created my own business doing photography and servicing other people? So that is exactly what I did. In 2020 the birth of Nini Collection’s was born. Although I was still working a job, I started to learn more about photography and I started slowly investing in my brand, promoting my brand, and attracting clientele. It took a few years to really start building revenue and customers, but I was determined to grow and get better at my craft. At the age of eighteen years old I was no longer working for corporate America instead I had discovered opportunities to do self-contract work being and circulator/ petitioner which was a cool experience because I was able to work on my own schedule, control my money, and also build a great savings that I would use to invest back into my brand and business. I also enrolled in college for my BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Film Studies in 2022. During that year I also became involved in modeling. I was apart of New York Fashion Week, which was my first runway show and then I was a part of another fashion show called The Sweet Feet Gala. I have also done multiple creative editorial shoots since then to build my online presence and portfolio. I am currently still in college, and I have also had the chance to be a part of some amazing theatre. Some of my college acting credits include Intimate Apparel, Girls Like That, and a show called Pipeline which I played the lead role for. As of today, my vision is clear and focused. I am determined to become a successful actor and land deals in film and television. While also being a super model, photographer, and inspiration to the world.

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?
I will say my path in business has not always been as easy or smooth as it may seem. As an entrepreneur, you must have faith if you want to succeed in running a business. There will be times when you’re making a passive income and everything is going well. There will also be times when you look at your bank account and see no money being made for weeks and you start to worry and wonder where the hell your next paycheck is going to come from, especially when you know you have mouths to feed and bills that must be paid. In this game, there is no financial stability. It can be discouraging to know you’re putting in the effort and hard work to promote yourself and market, yet no one is buying your products or services, and you must patiently wait for people to buy. I feel like slow seasons really challenge my faith the most… yet I decide to stay strong and prevail because I know I was called to be in this industry. I know there are women and young girls out there who need me. There are women and other people who see the value, talent, and vision that I have inside of me. There are people who know I am worth every penny they spend, and that is what truly allows me to never stop, to always give it my all, and to always show up for myself and my brand.

We’ve been impressed with Nini Collection’s , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of Nini Collections, a full-time photography brand built on passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to excellence.

With over six years of experience behind the lens, I have developed a signature style that blends emotional depth with artistic precision. My photography goes beyond capturing images-it tells stories that evoke connection, celebrate individuality, creativity, and leave a lasting impact. Every shot is an opportunity for my clients-especially women-to see themselves in their highest light. My work is rooted in the belief that art is a powerful vehicle for self-expression, healing, and transformation.

I am not just building a business- I am building a movement. Through my creative journey, I continue to inspire women to embrace their truth, own their narrative, and show up unapologetically in every space they enter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ninicollections.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ni.shyree
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CExxc5oG5/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanni-thomas-b71aab390
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ninicollections
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ni.ni.collections

Image Credits
@_dystortion_ @de.vizuals @dewclawphotos @actdenver @shotsbygabriella