Meet Nicole Fedele

We recently connected with Nicole Fedele and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

When I really think about it, I’d say my confidence exists out of necessity. We moved from New Jersey to the DFW area last year and, as a result, I had to basically rebuild my photography business from scratch. Before our move, I started following other small business owners in the area, reached out to local photographers, and joined facebook groups to offer free sessions as a way to have eyes on me and my business. I’ve continued to put myself out there over the past year, by connecting with people and groups on social media. It’s not exactly typical for me to be so outgoing and I wouldn’t describe myself as someone with a lot of confidence. Like so many, I compare my work to others and worry what people think, but I’ve had to be willing to put myself and my photos out there to try to make connections, and give my business a chance to grow.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a family and motherhood photographer based in North Texas. I’ve been in love with photography since I was a child, but only started to pursue it professionally about five or six years ago, around the time I had my first baby. Overtime, I learned more about my own photography style and what types of sessions really excite me. I love documenting special moments for families, like newborn sessions, pregnancy announcements, birthdays, and annual family photos. As a mom of three, I know how quickly time passes and how important it is to document different stages and moments of family life. My intention during sessions is to document families in an authentic and timeless way.

Since my family’s move to Texas last year, I’ve sort of loved the challenge of growing my business and establishing a presence in a new place. I’m super excited to have started a client closet over the past few months, which helps reduce the stress client’s have of finding and buying new items for their photoshoots.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I have a background in psychology and worked as a therapist for a number of years, so I’m pretty good at understanding people and I think I have a way of making people feel comfortable. I’m typically aware of what’s going on around me and can re-group, or make a joke to lighten a mood when needed.
My willingness to learn – I’ve loved attending workshops, learning from others, and just simply understanding that there is always room for growth.
Not being afraid to ask – ask for help, ask other photographers for tips, ask people to model, etc. It’s been so beneficial to simply not be afraid to put myself out there.

For anyone early in their photography journey my biggest advice would be to shoot often and figure out what it is that you want to shoot (find your niche!). In the very beginning I brought my camera everywhere. I photographed my own kids and family often, and always asked friends if I could protograph them or their events. The only way to improve is to keep practicing and get super comfortable with your camera. Also, to keep learning. I’ve seen the most growth in my work when I’ve invested in workshops or some sort of course/new education offering.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, the best thing I can do is take a step back from whatever it is that’s feeling like too much or too stressful, talk about it with someone close to me, and resume by just going one step at a time. I’m a working stay at home mom, so often my work gets done in the pockets of time when my kids are at school or sleeping and I can have a hard time when I’m trying to do too much at once. At times, it can feel like I’m not being productive enough or staying on top of things. I have to try to remember that it will get done, this is the season of life I am in and I can only do so much (which also means accepting that sometimes it feels overwhelming), and that if I am really struggling in a given moment I probably won’t be all that effective. Making a to-do list and picking a place to start and then checking that off can feel really helpful in just reducing the stress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicolefedelephoto.com
• Instagram: @nicolefedelephoto
• Facebook: Nicole Fedele Photography

Image Credits

photo of me (first image) – credit Meghan Tidwell Photography