We had the good fortune of connecting with Nia Lancit and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I never was the school person. I always found the artistic side of things way more interesting then being in a science class learning about things I would never use in life outside of high school. My dad & mother both work within the hospital and sometimes I do wish I could be able to work a hospital type job. I never could see myself working a 9-5 job sitting at a desk, never ever that. I love movies, art, paintings , especially music, everything I genuinely love is artistic. The way that people put everything into what their doing is so beautiful to me, so growing up seeing the way that models move with grace and the way they move their bodies without saying anything but still having a thousand words within the picture was so inspiring to me. point being I knew modeling was the thing for me it’s something that makes me happy even on my worst days, something that truly inspires me is modeling
Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What sets me apart from others is hard, I don’t ever want to put myself in a place where I can do this better than that person or I’m better than that person. Really I just love modeling and executing What the photographer needs done. As soon as I’m at a photoshoot everything goes out the window and my drive for delivering goes up. The thing I’m most proud of is how many shoots I’ve had in the past year of me starting to model. I never would’ve thought to even be where I am now with the people in my life it’s truly a blessing, especially with the challenges within myself to keep pushing forward with modeling. I’ve learned that modeling is kind of working with yourself. Some days won’t be good days other days will be the best you just have to be patient in the artistic industry and not get too in your head just to keep it moving and know what you need to do for next time if you really love something you won’t give up. I want the world to know that anyone can do anything they set their mind to no matter the skin tone, no matter the way you look, weight etc. Everyone is different that’s what’s beautiful in my opinion. I’m still learning some things about modeling & I love it
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?
I’m originally from Michigan so I myself is still discovering new things about the city. If my bestfriend Claire was coming into town I would take her to Eleanor tinsley park for a picnic and just to enjoy the weather outside, I stay at the menil so would definitely have to take her there, as well as all of the art museums. Our favorite type of food is sushi so that is probably all we would eat while she is here, as well as going to authentic Mexican restaurants . I also love the music at the flat, The flat is a bar / hangout spot downtown my friends introduced me to not to long ago, going there always makes me happy so that would have to be a spot for drinks for sure . The city is really a beautiful place we’d have to spend the whole week really to explore and walk everywhere, but where I find that I’m the happiest is at a photoshoot so I would have to bring her along to see the process of everything and to show her why I do it
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I started off modeling when I was in a very bad state of mind and really just wanted to start doing because that’s all I thought about. As I was younger had very low confidence especially growing up in a predominantly white area, I was always the darkest person wherever I went. my dad being the same skin tone as me he definitely helped me through my rough days re gaining that confidence back. The black models I see walking a runway, photo shoots or is on a the cover of a magazine makes me happier than ever, they make me want to keep doing more and more with modeling. And lastly my boyfriend and friends have a special place in my heart for encouraging me everyday for modeling
Instagram: Nialancit
Twitter: Niania4875
Image Credits
Tynaya cossie (photography) Antionio Chicaia (photography) Christean Kareem (photography) Osama shuja (photography), John pullings