“Here’s to 2012 and saying hello to new beginnings, goodbye to old sorrows and chasing your dreams and goals until its reality. Cheers!!”
This was my Facebook status 3 years ago. How do I know this? Because I have an impeccable memory. Just kidding. I have the Timehop App on my phone. Although, side note, I really do have an impeccable memory.
I remember 3 years ago going to school for photography. I remember wanting my own business so bad. And not just my own business. A successful one. I wanted a website. A brand people would know if they saw it. Repeat clients. A Facebook business page with over a thousand followers. I wanted my job to be my passion. I wanted to be able to give people gifts of memories, because seriously pictures and capturing it all is so important. I remember wanting it so badly.
My dreams are now reality. I own my own business. Although not always easy, it’s been successful. I have a website that I LOVE (shout out to Courtney Kirkland). A brand I stand behind. Repeat clients and referrals from them (insert an excited YAY). Almost 1500 FB fans. I am literally living my passion, capturing moments and milestones for people that will hang on walls for years to come!
My journey hasn’t been easy though. I can’t say any photographer I know has ever said “it was so easy”. Nights up until 3am editing to make sure my clients have quick turnarounds, taxes, insurance, scheduling, emailing, blogging, social media and keeping it all in check. Not only am I a business owner, I am also a wifey and a mama and trying to find that balance between both has been a journey for me.
I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO (and so no) grateful for a supportive husband who has stuck by me when I decided to quit my full-time job, go back to school for photography and wait tables in the meantime. I am SO grateful he doesn’t flinch when I have back to back sessions 7 nights a week (yes this has happened before …insert time management whoas), when I need to get out for an afternoon through the evening to edit or when I want to go to a photography conference on the other side of the country to learn from some of my favorite photographers in the world. I adore him and I don’t think this business would of made it without him. Thank you, Michael.
2014 was an AH-mazing year for Nicella Photography. I shot 123 sessions, events and parties this year between NJ & VA. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE! That might not be a lot compared to some other photographers out there, but to me, that is amazing and I am super proud of it, because I worked my little tush off for it. Quality over quantity.
I’ve also implemented this year something I have wanted to do for a while. My “Learn To love. Your Camera” DSLR Class. I have taught it 5 times this past year and each class has sold out. WHATTT?! An idea of mine on one of my long runs during last year’s marathon training transformed into classes with waiting lists through out the year! I love all my attendees and it’s amazing to see what they are now doing with their cameras. From there “Learn To love.’s” little sister was born “Post Processing 101”. Although only taught once, it was awesome and I got some amazing feedback from it. More dates in 2015! I also do some “One on One” stuff with people and I have done 7 of those this year and again the feedback has been awesome.
2014 also helped me find my specialty. When I attended Click Away in September, it was soul searching for me. Like so soul searching I actually cried during some of the lectures/classes. I knew I eventually wanted to narrow down what I was shooting. I was shooting anything from families to weddings to sporting events. I decided to go where my heart was telling me to go and where it always has and that is specializing in family and children. Seriously there is something about a giggling family during golden hour glow that gives me this incredible sense of happiness. Sounds cheese, but it’s the truth.
2015 is going to be an incredible year. I am already booking out into September (it’s never too early to book) and they say February is one of the slowest months for photographers, but it is actually my busiest month and is almost completely booked. I am so so thankful and excited!
2015. More classes are to come. I have some action sets I am working on for my photographer friends. More blogging. Bigger newsletters. Welcome packets for everyone who books featuring everything from wardrobe to location choices to why choosing custom photography is so important.
What would you like to see in 2015?? Leave a comment on this blog and let me know!
During Elizabeth Gilbert’s keynote on the first day of Click Away, she said “You can not fail if you make your own heart sing”. And that’s the truth. Not everyone is going to like my style of editing or the way I shoot. Not everyone is going to hire me for their family session. But I am not failing because maybe “so and so” is not using me for pictures. I am happy with my work. I am living my passion and for that I am successful. Thank you so much to my Nicella Photography family for allowing me into your world and letting me capture you. You all have a piece of my heart, I am incredibly thankful for you. So much gratitude! Bring on 2015! I am so ready. xo. love.
