Check Out Nikaya Garris’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikaya Garris.

Hi Nikaya, 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?
My story really begins the day I met my first horse. I cantered in my very first lesson, and just three months later, I entered my first show and won Reserve Champion. From there, I competed through high school, placing in every single class I entered. Riding became my foundation, it taught me patience, discipline, and how to stay calm even when things move fast, which translates beautifully into modeling.

My love for modeling actually started when I was a child, I did a pageant and won, and from that moment on, I was hooked. Any chance I had to be in front of a camera, I took it. But it wasn’t until college that things really came together. While studying at Savannah State University, I joined Timeless Model Management and finally got the chance to truly strut my stuff. When I moved to Atlanta, I decided to take modeling seriously, but I quickly realized my passion wasn’t just about walking a runway, it was about bringing my creative ideas to life through editorial storytelling.

The moment that really tied my worlds together was a brand shoot I did for Equestrian Noire. It was the first time I saw how seamlessly my two passions horses and modeling could coexist. That experience lit something in me. It reminded me that both spaces allow me to express grace, strength, and freedom in different forms.

I’ve faced my share of obstacles, but each one only pushed me closer to peace and purpose. Today, I see my modeling and equestrian paths as intertwined each one reflects the other in balance, artistry, and perseverance.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road but I’ve learned that the uneven parts are where your strength really shows. There were times when life forced me to step away from the things I loved most moments of uncertainty, loss, and starting over from what felt like nothing. But each season of struggle taught me how to rebuild with more grace, intention, and faith.

Balancing everything hasn’t always been easy either. Juggling school, work, and riding while still showing up for creative projects can stretch you thin, but it also builds a kind of resilience that no classroom can teach. There were times I questioned if I was moving too slowly, or if I’d ever find balance between my passions and my responsibilities.

What I’ve realized, though, is that peace doesn’t come from everything being perfect, it comes from staying rooted in purpose and remembering why you started. Every setback guided me closer to who I’m meant to be. And when I’m either in the saddle or in front of a camera, I’m reminded why I kept going.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to say my work lives where art and honesty meet. I’m a creative who blends my equestrian discipline with my passion for storytelling through editorial imagery. My photos aren’t just pictures they’re narratives. Every concept I create is rooted in something I’ve lived, felt, or survived. I want people to look at my work and see that they’re not alone, that even through pain or uncertainty, beauty and purpose can still exist.

This year, I’ve made it my goal to produce at least five storytelling projects each one diving into real emotions and experiences. One of the pieces I’m most proud of was a suicide prevention shoot. It wasn’t just a creative project; it was a message a visual plea for people to choose life and hope. That shoot reminded me why I create in the first place.

What sets me apart is that my art isn’t just for the camera it’s for connection. Every shoot, whether equestrian inspired or editorial, comes from a place of truth. I use movement, emotion, and symbolism to turn what I’ve been through into something that can speak for others who haven’t found their voice yet.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people see the photos, the horses, the confidence but what they don’t always see is how much of my work was built from pain, patience, and prayer. I’ve faced moments where I lost everything that felt familiar, and I had to rebuild not just my life, but my sense of self. The peace and strength people see in me now were learned through those quiet, uncertain seasons.

I think people are often surprised by how reserved I really am outside of my creative spaces. Modeling and riding bring out my boldness, but in everyday life, I’m actually quite introspective. I observe before I speak, I feel deeply, and I carry a lot of empathy for others because I’ve been through moments where I needed that same compassion myself.

At the heart of it all, I’m just someone who wants to create beauty out of the things that once broke me and that’s something I’ll never stop doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kays.landdd
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikaya-garris/

Image Credits
Photos taken by @akacheofficial for all photos except for the one with the horse, that is by @equestrian_noire and all photos are of me

Suicide photoshoot with balloons by asmithxperience