We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Falco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

When I first embarked on the journey to starting my own business just over four years ago, I was terrified. I spent the better half of my twenties discovering what I didn’t want. Some may say that I wasted a few good years being indecisive, but those years taught me many things. I realized that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life helping others build their dreams, while putting my own on the back burner. I loved many things, and poured my heart into multiple jobs, only to continue feeling as if I wasn’t truly happy.

Photography has always been a part of my life growing up. I even did my senior project on photography! Who knew that a decade later, I’d find myself not only pursuing a passion, but making a living from it! The very idea of getting to do what I loved as a ‘job’ was exciting, but at the same time, overwhelming. I soon discovered that photography required more than just capturing photos. I realized that I soon would become not only my own boss (which has it’s pros and cons), but also a marketer, website designer, blogger, a bookkeeper, and the list goes on!

Just as with any job, there’s others out there who will definitely be a lot more further and advanced, and even better (in my opinion) than I am! Boy did it feel intimidating scrolling through social media, and seeing all of the other talented photographers out there, who’ve won awards, and travel internationally to do what they love. But One of the things we learn as we grow, is that the only person you are really in competition with is yourself.

I decided that I wouldn’t compare myself to others in my line of work. Instead, I would look up to them, and rejoice with them in their successes!
In doing so, my focus and energy poured into starting my own photography business and serving my clients well. Throughout the years, rarely have I felt that the industry I’m in in ‘saturated’. I focus on doing my very best to serve others well who trust us with their wedding photography or capturing milestones in their lives. I’m a big firm believer as well in the law of attraction! Put out love into the world and into others, and it’s inevitably going to return back to you!

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi there! My name is Nicole and I’m a wedding and portrait photographer!

I fell into the field of photography because my grandfather gifted me with my very first canon dslr at the age of twelve. I instantly fell in love with the idea of getting to capture and freeze a moment or a time in ones life. I know the feeling I get when I look back at an old photo, or sit on the floor with boxes of old prints, and the memories of that time in my life come rushing back to me.

Making photography an actual career, I owe to my amazing husband and best friend. He was my very first supporter of my crazy dreams, when I doubted myself over and over again.

A few years ago, my sister in law was gracious enough to let me be her second shooter for a wedding, and as nervous as I was, I fell in love with wedding photography. It was all I could think about after that day, so that was when I decided… I wanted to special in wedding photography. It truly is an honor when a couples chooses us to capture their WEDDING DAY, and it’s not something we will ever take for granted or take lightly!

There are so many talented photographers out there that anyone can have a difficult time in choosing a photographer for their special occasion or wedding. I wanted to offer more to our clients and couples by creating an exceptional experience along with the photos. We strive to build a relationship with our couples before their wedding day. When our couples feel like friends on the day we show up to that start of the wedding day, the photos and memories we’re able to capture are truly priceless, and tells a story.

It truly has become more than just making a profit for us. over the last year, we decided that we would be selective with the weddings we take. Aside from loving our style of work, we want our couples to truly feel like they can connect with us, and us them! Whenever we meet couples for the first time before they book, I always say “If you don’t feel 100% that you can see us as your photographers and with you on your wedding day, that’s totally okay!”

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I wish I could say that I just quit my full time day job one day to pursue photography, but that wasn’t the case! I was working as the GM and bar manager at a local comedy club when I slowly started investing in my passion. I continued to work my full time job as I slowly bought the equipment I needed to start taking on sessions and weddings. Any extra money I had left over from my paychecks, I poured into investing in education as well! I remember working extra bar shifts to help pay for my website! Honestly there was nothing more frustrating, but satisfying, than coming home after a shift, hopping on my computer to start designing a website well into the early hours of the morning :)

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Absolutely! I have so many, but the ones that I’ve loved and that I’ve taken so much from are:

– “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

– “168 Hours” by Laura Vanderkam

– “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

– “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne

– “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

-“Complete Guide to Money” Dave Ramsey

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicolefalcophotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/nicolefalcophotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/nicolefalcophotography

Image Credits
Nicole Falco Photography