Meet Nicole Messner

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Messner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Nicole, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

As a boudoir photographer I have the unique opportunity to photograph women in a very vulnerable experience. After photographing hundred of women and listening to each of their fears, insecurities, and struggles I have learned that we are all going through our own battles. I have also learned we can’t let those battles stop us from stepping out of our comfort zone. I developed my confidence by finding something I loved to do and learning from women who trust me to capture them – each of my clients has served as an inspiration to set my insecurities aside and continue to go after what I want from this life.

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 boudoir photographer based in Ventura, CA. After years of shooting just about everything – events, portraits, families, etc – I stumbled upon boudoir and it changed my life both personally and professionally.

Over the last few years I have learned the importance of making a photography session an EXPERIENCE. I strive to offer my clients the opportunity to not only see images of themselves to develop a new perspective, but to experience a side of them that often gets tucked away. My goal is that my clients leave their session feeling more confident, more alive, and more inspired… even before they see their final images.

I believe going after new experiences that feel scary or uncomfortable is the best way to establish self esteem and build confidence. I love boudoir because I get to really know people, I also get to see the moment they step into a new version of themselves while we are shooting together.

It’s not often we get to see a sensual side of ourselves but I am excited I have the honor to photograph women in a way they deserve to be seen.

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

The most impactful areas of knowledge through this boudoir journey have been – always be a student, know how to develop a brand, and make it something to remember.

In the beginning of my career I had an ego that I had to know it all when I knew very little and this held me back for a long time. If you are in the beginning of your journey remember to always be a student – find a mentor, get online, continue to educate yourself in your craft, business, and personal life.

Once I found my style and developed my branding my business changed. This can be difficult when you are in the early stages and learning who your business is but work to define your style, your voice, and your audience. You will be easily recognizable and it will help direct your marketing efforts.

Lastly, make whatever you do something to remember. I could easily be just another photographer turning and burning, however, once I took the time to make my sessions and experience everything changed. It was more than just photos, it was an opportunity for women to try something new. I work continuously to stand out amongst the crowd and to give my clients something they WANT to talk about.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Two books I have to share because I wish I read them when I first started my business and I keep them on hand to revisit as needed.

First, Building a Brand Story. What an amazing book! If you are building a brand or rebranding read this and implement the lessons it has to share. It will teach you how to establish your brand and how to relate to your customers in an authentic way.

Second, The E-Myth. Working ON your business and not IN your business. It’s easy to get stuck in the day to day tasks but that’s what will keep you in the same place forever. Get out of the day to day and into the big picture!

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