We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Wagner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Hi Nicole, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care is something that I strongly value, even though it is not always something that is easy to remind yourself to do. When you’re in the middle of your busiest season, and everything around you feels like you can’t catch a break, taking some time to yourself to do something you love is really important. I personally go to the chiropractor weekly, and get massages biweekly. I stay up on my mental health as well by consistently going to therapy because let’s be real, shit happens! Those are a few examples of consistent ways I show myself self-care.
Other ways I focus on providing solid self-care is going on a shopping spree to get a new outfit, or going to a bookstore to find a new book and reading it in my reading nook. Sometimes self-care can be as simple as sitting in a quiet room, or listening to a favorite song, album or artist. Self-care is something that really just means doing something for you and taking time for yourself. When you spend a majority of your time focused on others and telling their stories, it is super important to still take that time for yourself because that is what continues being able to tell my couples love stories!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a wedding photographer, so I specialize in weddings, engagements and really just all things couples related; however, I still photograph all other kind of sessions too! I strive to give my couples the best possible experience from the moment they inquire to when I deliver their finished gallery. Throughout the experience, I strive to give my couples the utmost comfort, help and an understanding of the value of their photos because there is nothing that I would rather be doing!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think learning to communicate effectively, how to pose my clients, and still just having plain old fun! Of course, knowing how to operate a camera is super important, but what most people will forget to focus on, is the experience and what you bring to the table that no one else does. When I was first starting, I did not know the first thing about how to run a business, let alone how to pose my clients! Through lots of hard work and time, I learned how to do both. One big thing that I think most business owners forget about is having fun with your clientele and making sure to remember that you’re a person that is trying to connect with people. I can’t tell you how helpful focusing not only on your skill set professionally, but also on your skill set of being a unique individual truly is!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
By far the most impactful thing my parents did, was believe in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I can say with full certainty that I would not be where I am today without my parents. They were the first ones to buy me a camera, laptop, studio equipment, etc, you name it. They made sure I had all the things I needed to be successful from the get go. It was just up to me to actually turn what they gave me into a full functioning and successful business.
I will always be indebted to my wonderful parents. Thanks mom and dad for making sure I knew I could do anything I put my mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: nicoledenaephoto.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nicoledenaephoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/nicoledenaephotos
- Other: pinterest.com/nicoledenaephoto
Image Credits
Nicole Denae Photography LLC
