We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aggie Nichols. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aggie below.
Aggie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Experimenting, trying new things, and staying open. I like to explore different genres of photography or even different areas of art and draw inspiration from it. Whenever I learn something new, like a lighting technique or an editing trick, it sparks new ideas and I apply those to my next project. I might go to a museum and see an interesting color combination or composition in a painting and then try to recreate it in my studio. The moment I get stuck in the same work routine, I feel like I can’t come up with creative ideas, so doing things differently every now and then is very helpful.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a product photographer specializing in skincare, beauty, and wellness. Brands, agencies, and individual merchants hire me to create unique, captivating images that they can use on their website, social media, and in print. The most exciting part for me is seeing a brand grow while using my images. Product shots are so important in driving sales and brand perception that they can be transformative for a brand.
In my studio, I produce different types of images, ranging from clean, simple photographs for e-commerce websites to stylized, bold, and colorful studio photographs, where I utilize set designs and models. I’m a big fan of shaping the light and using colored gels in creative ways. I always try to add something unique to each image, so that it draws more attention. I also do all of the retouching in-house and even though it is an extremely tedious process that requires loads of patience and focus, the pay-off is so worth it. That’s when I can really take the images to the next level.
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?
Communication skills, self-discipline, and problem-solving would be in my top three qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey. Being able to effectively communicate with clients, especially when it comes to conveying creative ideas or directing a client who is new to the field and unsure of what they might need, is crucial. This can come with years of experience, but you can also practice this in social settings with friends that you feel comfortable with.
Self-discipline is the key ingredient of success. You may not always be motivated to do the work, but if you have discipline, you will take action regardless. It also helps in cultivating a strong work ethic. It’s not easy to develop, but I find it helpful to remove distractions and set small, attainable goals for each day. Back in college, one of my teachers made us utilize a calendar for every little thing we did and it stuck with me to this day. I will put the smallest task, such as running an errand, cleaning my workspace, or making a phone call, in my calendar. Something about having it there, on a specific date and time, makes it so much easier to just do it right then.
The last important quality, problem-solving, can save your day in any type of work environment. In my case, all I do is solve problems on set: lighting, unwanted reflections, shadows, tech issues, etc. Having an analytical mind makes it easier, as I naturally break down the problem and analyze it step by step, although there are times when a bigger solution is needed. That’s when stepping away from a problem might help. Taking a break, going on a walk, doing something fun, will help reset your brain and come up with better ideas.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! This year, I want to focus on doing more model shoots, especially in the beauty genre. I would love to do test shoots and collaborate with models, MUAs, and stylists in the Los Angeles area. I would also like to expand my roster of models available for paid shoots. If you would like to create something unique together, feel free to reach out to me via my website or social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aggienichols.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/aggie.productphotog
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aggie.nichols.photographer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aggie-nichols/
- Other: Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/aggie_nichols
Image Credits
Aggie Nichols
