We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicholas Donner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nicholas, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I am meant to create. It was easy to find my purpose because I can’t stop. I like building things, growing things, making things, and discovering new things. If I wasn’t doing this with my photography company, Donner Photos, I would be doing it with something else! I need to create. In the context of photography my purpose is to keep creating new imagery, new ways of connecting with people, and new ways of making it all work.
I moved into my studio in Fort Lauderdale in 2021. For me, it’s more like a workshop than a studio. There is always a project in process, and it’s hardly ever completely cleaned up with everything put away. I build a lot of my own sets and backdrops and there are always tools and paint laying around. About half is an open studio space with big windows and the other half is a warehouse full of things I have built or am in the process of making.
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?
My business is mostly focused on headshots, corporate image, and large events. The most exciting thing about what I do is meeting people from all walks of life, all industries, and from all over the country. I’m a lifelong learner and each project I work on feels like a ticket behind the scenes, where I get to see how things really work. I love finding out how people got where they are, how they made decisions along the way, the things that get them out of bed in the morning, and what they think the future holds.
Every couple of months I host a free headshot day for people on my email list and their friends. It’s a chance for me to meet folks that otherwise would never step into my studio and I always meet interesting people.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Adaptability. The world is constantly changing and whatever worked last year might not work this year. Hold nothing sacred.
2. Craft. Get good at using the tools of your trade so you don’t have to think about them and can focus on creativity
3. Balance. Don’t neglect your health, your family and friends, your spiritual life, and things you enjoy. Even people with lots of success in work get burned out when they are out of balance.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m looking to connect with all sorts of creative people: musicians, craftspeople, visual artists, filmmakers, chefs, architects, and even other photographers. I want to meet people that need help creating a visual idea or just need an extra hand in executing their ideas. I can be reached through my website and email.
Contact Info:
- Website: donnerphotos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnerphotos/
Image Credits
Nicholas Donner
