We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sierra Nichols. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sierra below.
Hi Sierra, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
As I was growing up, my mother was a driving force for my resilience and tenacity. My parents separated when I was young, and my mother was determined to solve every problem she could on her own. She had me assist her in small house repairs, and instilled a since of pride in being fiscally responsible and independent. My grandmother was also a single mother of 5 children, working her entire life. I guess I came from a long line of women role models who have overcome obstacles and “get stuff done”.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was born and raised in the midwest, starting in Illinois and moving to Austin, TX in 2017.
I’ve always leaned into my creative side growing up and knew I wanted a career that involved creativity. After I moved to Texas I felt like I need a change from my years in graphic design. Thats when I picked up a camera, and next thing I knew I was full time as a photographer. I started Sierra Marie Photography in 2019. I honestly didn’t realize how much I was going to fall in love with it at first. It wasn’t until I started booking sessions with people outside of my friends and family, photographing families, birthdays, and proposals that I realized it was much more than just taking photos. As a wedding and family photographer, I am surrounded by people’s most joyous moments. and it is contagious! I tear up when I am photographing couples reading their heartfelt vows on their wedding day. I cheer when she says “yes” to a proposal. I laugh when a birthday boy squishes his face in the cake during a cake smash, and my heart swoons when I capture a newborn yawn wrapped up in a cute little swaddle. I feel honored everyday by the people who look to me to document these milestone moments in their lives.
This past year of my photography career I have narrowed my focus a little more on photographing weddings and families. I consider my editing style as bright and bold, and my photography style as sweet, loving, candid, and interactive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the three main things that helped me get to this place in my career are curiosity, attention to detail, and the ability to gently command a room.
I was curious enough to learn a new skill on my own. I picked up a DSLR camera without understanding the technical side of settings at all, but I was determined to figure out not only how to do it, but how to do it well. I was curious to try many different genres of photography to discover what I enjoyed and excelled in most. And without ever having owned a business before, I was determined to figure out how to build my life of off this skill that I built and came to love so quickly.
I think my attention to detail has helped to build a reliable and recognizable brand. I knew early on that consistency in my photos would allow for clients to feel confident in getting the look and feel of photos they are wanting. I think coming from a graphic design background I also knew that the small details in my brand across advertising, my website, and social pages would help generate professionalism and trust in me as a photographer beyond my abilities of just capturing a good photo.
For wedding photography especially, I think it is incredibly beneficial to be able to orchestrate a group of people with a pleasant authority.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Imposter syndrome is one of my biggest obstacles, and its not something that has been easy to overcome. I think having success in my business so quickly has lead me to wonder if I am deserving of the success. It shows up the most when trying to figure out prices for my services. Luckily I have had mentors and a great community of fellow photographers around me to put what I have accomplished into perspective. I still need to give myself little pep-talks from time to time, but I am starting to walk into my sessions feeling confident in my ability to produce timeless images for my families and couples.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sierramarie-photography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sierramarie.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sierramarie.photographyatx
Image Credits
The photo of me was taken by Sarah Elizabeth Photography. https://www.sarah-elizabeth-photography.com/ The rest are photos I have taken.
