Imiivo
(pronounced uh-mee-vo)
stands for
infinite memories in, infinite visuals out.

Who We Are.

Imiivo, which stands for infinite memories in, infinite visuals out, is a high-end portrait photography studio that specializes in fine-art beauty portraits for all & branding services catered towards Woman-Owned and WOC (Women of Color) owned small businesses and brands.

We help you feel seen & heard and celebrate your visibility. Celebrate for no special reason or for your special life moments with our fine-art beauty portrait sessions that are wall-worthy.

In addition to photography, we help Women-owned and WOC owned small businesses and brands gain more visibility and stand out with our signature program, the Standout Brand Makeover, to make sure you stand out and lean in which translates into more leads which equals more revenue. Hello! Guiding you to elevate your brand presence, boost your camera confidence and lean into your unique brand story so that you can attract your ideal client and profit in the process.

Encouraging all people to celebrate their visibility, voice and journey right now and be the (s)hero of their own story.

We are a Black Woman-Owned business.

The Mission.

Our mission is to celebrate and amplify the visibility, voice and journey of those that feel unseen or unheard through the power of high quality, fine art photography and video.Whether you’re an individual, a family or a small business, we aim to celebrate where you are now.

Further, we have a mission to especially help Women-Owned & WOC (Women of Color) owned small businesses and brands gain the visibility they are more than worthy of, lean into their unique story and thrive so that they can work in their gift and give back to other Women-Owned & WOC businesses and brands.

A successful mission is when people have the visibility they desire and the ability to be the voice and the (s)hero of their own story in a visual way.

The Why.

I have two big whys.

First, it never occurred to me that my mother would ever not be around. She was my Superwoman. And I took for granted that my mother would always be present to witness the many milestones I had yet to reach. After she passed away, I found myself wishing I had my mother’s laugh on video. And for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows the significance and pricelessness of each moment we have. Life can easily get in the way of us taking time out to appreciate our lives and that’s why Imiivo wants to help provide you with a visual reminder. Celebrate the beauty of your life now. Not later, but right now.

Second, like many, 2020 was a breakthrough year for me. My marriage ended, I was with my young toddler who wasn’t quite two at the time, I was a professor at a university for several years and my contract came to an end. I had been an exhibiting photographer and video artist but that was not enough to sustain me. So, there I was a newly single mom of a toddler having to figure out how to provide for my son and myself. It was sink or swim time. So, while my son would nap and sleep, I was working on the development of my new business. I know what it feels like to need support as a new business owner who happens to be a woman and a WOC woman at that. I know what it feels like to no longer want to play it safe and want to gain visibility but not know how or just be outright overwhelmed. I would not want any woman or any person to have to navigate the waters of gaining brand visibility without support. If I have the ability to help, I am all in because I want to see women business owners win!

If I have the ability to help, I am all in because I want to see women Business owners win!

Want a little more of my story? Keep scrolling.

A little about my story

Hi, I’m Shané (pronounced shuh-nay).

The time went just like that (snaps fingers).

It’s now been 20 years since the camera and I have been creating which evolved into directing, making stills and exhibiting my fine-art photo and video artwork in galleries and art spaces across the nation. My main day job for years was as a professor teaching photography, film and television production courses. I have co-produced a documentary that aired on PBS and in my early career I worked in the film and television industry in New York, including places like DreamWorks. I have studied mass media and visibility, especially for people of Color, for years. Oh, and I went to school a lot, by choice (hello inner nerd) including NYU for film, Howard U. for a Master’s in mass communications and media studies and an MFA from SAIC in photography.

This has all led me to having a great understanding of what is appealing and resonating to audiences as it pertains to visuals and messaging.

What fuels me to do what I do is the urgency of celebrating now. Celebrating one’s visibility to be exact. One’s figurative and literal visibility, as an individual or a brand.

And all of these wonderful adventures have led me to opening my photo and video studio, Imiivo. It’s thrilling!

But that’s not the only fuel I got!

let me give you a little backstory about what fuels me to do what I do.

One of the most defining moments of my life so far, outside of having my son, is when my mother passed away. You see, my mother was my world. My constant. My biggest cheerleader, my biggest advocate and the first person to tell me when I needed lipstick. Many Sundays our home filled with the smell of her homemade baked goods. Maybe a homemade cake or three.

My mother had the brightest smile and the most contagious laugh. She could barely get through a joke or funny story without being the first one to heartily laugh before anyone else had the chance to.

First, I took for granted that my mother would always be present to witness the many milestones I had yet to reach. After she passed away, I found myself wishing I had my mother’s laugh on video. Wishing I had more portraits of the woman who was always behind the camera. Photos that were not limited to snapshots. And for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows the significance and pricelessness of each moment we have. That’s why Imiivo wants to help you celebrate the beauty of your life now. Not later, but right now.

And it motivates me to celebrate life in the present because as the saying goes, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Second, I know what it feels like to need support as a new business owner who happens to be a Woman and a WOC woman at that. I was a professor at a university for several years and my contract came to an end. I had been an exhibiting photographer and video artist but that was not enough to sustain me. And my marriage came to an end. So, there I was a newly single mom of a toddler having to figure out how to provide for my son and myself. It was sink or swim time. So, while my son would nap and sleep, I was working on the development of my new business. I know what it feels like to be scared but also no longer wanting to play it safe. I know what it feels like to need visibility for your business but not know how or just be outright overwhelmed. I would not want any woman or any person to have to navigate the waters of gaining brand visibility without support. If I have the ability to help, I am all in because I want to see people and Women-owned and WOC small businesses like me win!

Overall, my journey so far is a marvelous one filled with unbelievable peaks and valleys. I love doing what I do and am so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends. On top of all that, my little one brings my heart immense and immeasurable joy.