Meet Nicole Wright

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Videography was always a dream of mine since I was a teenager. It was hard for me to believe I would actually be able to have a career in the media industry. Of course that was also at a time when cameras weren’t as prevalent or convenient, so it was even less likely back in the 90’s. It took me going to film school and shooting at least ten weddings, telling people I was the videographer, for me to start saying to myself, “Huh… I guess I’m doing it!” Making profit is one sign of success, but to actually FEEL success, I go by all the positive reviews I’ve gotten from clients over the years. They really boost my confidence. I still have a nightmare before every wedding that I somehow don’t perform to standard. And I’ve probably shot close to 75 weddings by now. That’s a lot of nightmares! For me, personally, it’ll take a lifetime to fully overcome imposter syndrome, but maybe that’s a sign of humility and wanting to do my best on each project.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a photo/videographer for my small freelance business, Seven Star Films, and I’m a Public Affairs Specialist (Media Journalist) for the California Air National Guard as well. I live in Moorpark, CA with my husband and two daughters, who are starting to enjoy making their own little short films.

I shot my first few weddings for family, between 2002 and 2004, then started being asked to film weddings for pay in 2005. I made my business official in 2013. I enlisted in the military in 2009 as a videographer and I’m thrilled that I can serve my country doing what I love.

My story starts at birth, actually. I was born in the summer of 1983 in Boise, Idaho. My dad always played around with photography but when I was born, he bought a VHS videocamera and captured so much of my childhood that he joked that I thought he had a blinking red eye (referring to the “record” button on his video camera next to the eyepiece he looked through). We have so many precious moments and events recorded and I would enjoy watching them ever since I can remember. For the first several years, there was always a lot of happiness in our household. This ideal childhood came to an abrupt end when I was 11 years old when my parents announced their divorce. It shattered my heart beyond words, so to escape the reality I wasn’t willing to face, I would watch these home videos to transport myself back to the happy times. Sure maybe denial isn’t great, but it was something I could hold on to. I realized how important these videos were to keep the memories of my happy childhood alive.

I was also greatly inspired by Steven Spielbergʻs films and most appreciated his ability to transport us somewhere
else. Through his work, the power of cinema and the power of capturing memories became one and the same. I was a true nerd before that was even cool. I would hang out in the library at school before the first period started, reading books on movie making and biographies on George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. I wanted nothing more than to be a filmmaker.
In my first year of college at Boise State University, I was waiting for a janitor to unlock a classroom door so we could go in. While we were waiting, I got to chatting with a fellow student (as an extreme introvert at the time, this was uncommon for me to do!) and she mentioned that her friend was going to a film school in California called Brooks Institute. I decided to check it out to see if that might be an option for me one day. Sure enough, it worked out and I started almost immediately. My mom always says if it wasn’t for that janitor who forgot to open the door that morning, I might not have heard of Brooks Institute!
So, in February of 2002, my mom and best friend helped me pack up my Honda Civic and drive from Boise to Ventura, California. That was the beginning of my next life. I started to break out of my shell and really live my life. I was around people who had the same passion and soaking up the year-round California sun. While in school, I worked a part time job at a movie theater, then at the GAP, then as an intern at Key News in Santa Barbara, where I soon got a paid job as a newscast editor. I graduated with my Bachelors of Art degree in Film and Video Production in February of 2005.

I would love to work for Disney Studios one day. The Disney Legacy has always been an influence on me as well.
For my own business, Seven Star Films, she would love to go to retirement homes and have an opportunity to
record peopleʻs life stories so their families could have these gifts and keep passing their histories on to future generations.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. From a technical standpoint, it’s important to be prepared with your equipment. If possible, have at least two cameras, plenty of batteries, SD cards, two or three different lenses in order to shoot landscapes and close ups to highlight detail like in food
or plants.

2. In terms of interviewing, itʻs better to choose someone more outgoing and someone who doesn’t mind being on camera. If there is no choice and you have to interview someone more introverted, rephrase the questions to help them along with their sharing. End with the question, “Do you have anything to add?” Most of the time, even the most introverted subjects will respond with, “No, not really … “ then come up with the most amazing ideas to share. Think of everything as a story; it is all in the details.

3. Find your purpose. That will help you through the rough times when you get a demanding, cranky client. It took me awhile to find my purpose. I always wondered what good shooting weddings really did, but after a lot of growth and a seasoned perspective, I realized I’m helping people capture these cherished memories so no matter what happens down the road, they can re-live this time.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

While everyone else suggested I do something more practical with my life, my parents always supported my dreams. I’m not really sure how this would have all turned out if they didn’t. My dad took me to Disney Land when I was 13 and Disney World when I was 15 and he emphasized how the power of the imagination was how Walt Disney was able to create such a place. He always encouraged me to use my imagination.
My mom was extremely selfless to let me move to California to go to film school and pursue my dream. Her parents didn’t approve but she knew how happy I would be so she supported me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sevenstarfilms.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551138316855
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-wright-a1a011230
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicoleWrightSevenStarFilms
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=T5rbmJqmclOoNhhC4EGwKA

Image Credits

Picture of me and two bridesmaids (credit: Jimmy Munoz)
Picture of me scuba diving through kelp: (credit: Ventura Dive and Sport or Mike Grossman)
I’m guessing on that name. If you can credit the Dive Co, that would be better
Picture of me in camouflage: (credit: Major Andrei Mostovoj)
Picture of me shooting cake cutting: (credit: Jimmy Munoz)

The rest I shot.