We recently had the chance to connect with Nicole Lukas Photography and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Nicole, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building the foundation of my photography business not just the visible images, but the invisible intention behind it. What nobody truly sees is the depth of devotion I’ve poured into creating a space where healers, light workers, retreat facilitators, goddesses, and soulful entrepreneurs can feel seen, celebrated, and empowered.
My work is rooted in helping people feel radiant in who they are and in the purpose they’re here to share. I love capturing the beauty, strength, and softness that they often can’t see in themselves. In times like these, lifting each other up matters more than ever, and I feel called to support the change-makers, way-showers, and anyone stepping deeper into their power.
The unseen part, the piece I’m most proud of is the heart behind it all. The countless moments of trust, the inner work it takes to hold space, the belief that when someone feels aligned and confident in their own magic, they ripple that energy out into the world. This business is more than photography to me; it’s the beginning of my lifelong mission to document the sacredness, the authenticity, and the beauty of this world and the souls who are here to elevate it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicole, and I’m a holistic photographer dedicated to capturing the soul of healers, wellness practitioners, retreat leaders, and women stepping into their power. My work blends artistry, intuition, and intention creating imagery that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels empowering, aligned, and deeply true to who someone is.
I specialize in photographing retreats, goddess experiences, holistic businesses, and women who want to be seen in their most authentic, radiant expression. What makes my brand unique is the way I hold space: my background in yoga, Reiki, and holistic wellness allows me to guide people into a place where they feel safe, grounded, and fully themselves. That energy is what brings the photos to life.
I’ve built my business around the belief that visuals can be a form of healing, a mirror that helps people recognize their own beauty, strength, and purpose. I love traveling the world to document retreats and meaningful moments, and I’m currently working on my upcoming “RE-WILD THE WOMAN” retreat in Tulum, which brings together embodiment, nature, and creative expression in a powerful way.
Ultimately, my mission is to elevate the people who are elevating the world, capturing their work, their essence, and their magic so they can share it confidently and wholeheartedly.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that I’m learning to release is the version of myself that doubted whether I was “ready enough” or “qualified enough” to step fully into my purpose. For so long, I held onto a quieter, smaller version of myself the one who wanted to play it safe, avoid being seen too boldly, and stay within the comfort of what felt familiar.
But as my photography business has grown, and as I’ve stood in front of so many powerful women and healers, I’ve realized that this old version of me has served its purpose. She kept me grounded, she kept me humble, and she taught me how to move with intention. But she’s not the one who’s meant to lead me forward.
Now it’s time to release the self-doubt, the overthinking, and the fear of stepping into my full expression. I’m letting go of the part of me that questioned whether I was worthy of doing work that feels so meaningful and sacred.
What’s taking its place is trust , trust in my gifts, trust in my path, and trust in the calling that keeps getting louder.
I’m embracing the version of me who knows she is here to uplift others, to create beauty, and to follow the work that lights her soul up. Letting go of the old makes space for the expansion that’s already unfolding.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Photography has always been my way of making sense of the world. I got my first camera in 8th grade, and from that moment on, it became my safe place my outlet, my language, and my way of expressing everything I didn’t know how to say.
Growing up, I never really resonated with school or felt deeply connected to the people around me. So much of it felt surface-level, and I was always craving something deeper, something more meaningful.
When I was sad, overwhelmed, or scared, picking up my camera helped me feel grounded. It allowed me to look at life differently to find beauty, stillness, and meaning even in moments that felt confusing or heavy. In a world that sometimes felt hard to relate to, photography helped me see things more clearly.
It helped me feel like I had a purpose, like there was depth and magic in the everyday if I just looked closely enough. It’s still that way for me today. Photography remains the way I connect, process, and express a constant reminder that even in uncertainty, there is always beauty to be found.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, absolutely.
What you see is genuinely who I am. I’m a full-on wild woman, a creator of magic, and someone living with intention and real purpose. I don’t know how to show up in any way that isn’t fully heart-centered.
In a world where social media often feels like a highlight reel where everyone is only showing the happiest, shiniest parts of their lives it can be really disorienting. But I’ve made it a priority to let the version of me you see online be the real me. The passion, the depth, the devotion to my work, the way I live and create… it all comes from my soul.
I lead with my whole heart, always. And I feel incredibly grateful that by being authentically myself, I’ve naturally attracted people who resonate on that same level clients, friends, and community members who are just as genuine, intentional, and soul-led. Being real has brought the real ones into my life, and that’s the greatest gift.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m photographing when I’m fully present, holding space, and witnessing someone in their most authentic expression. There’s something sacred about capturing a moment that feels true, raw, and alive. It brings me into a state of deep calm and purpose.
I also feel peace in nature, while traveling, and when I’m connecting with like-minded souls who see the world through a similar lens. Those moments remind me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Yoga and meditation are also huge anchors for me. They help me tune back into my breath, my body, and my intuition, especially during times of overwhelm or expansion.
Whether I’m behind the camera, exploring a new place, sitting in silence, or surrounded by people who inspire me peace shows up the moment I drop into presence and let myself be fully in the experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicolelukasphotography.com
- Instagram: @nicolelukasphotography
- Facebook: @nicolelukasphotography
Image Credits
www.nicolelukasphotography.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
