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

Alright, Nichole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

I am a person who loves giving gifts as gratitude and to show appreciation. Most times, I will give my wedding couples a pre-wedding package with all the wedding day goodies they might need! Some things like gum, tissues, emergency hair/sewing kits, you name it! Each year I try to be more intentional for each couple, season of marriage, and more. A lot of clients love this just due to the fact that by doing something like this that is so intentional, just shows how much I value them and their day as much as they do. Also, who doesn’t love a little gift sent to your doorstep?!

Nichole , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello everyone, my name is Nichole Babiez. I am a 23-year-old traveling wedding and portrait photographer based in the north suburbs of Chicago. I started my business about 7 years ago when I was 16 starting off with family and graduation portraits. I realized quickly just how much photos mean to me when I lost my dad in 2015 to cancer. He himself was a huge photo phenetic and saw all the value photos had. Losing him left me with not only just the memories in my head but the photos he had taken throughout his whole life. I quickly came to realize just how important photos were not to just myself, but to everyone around me. Being able to preserve a moment in time is a gift we often take for granted, but that is why I strive to capture those perfect candid moments while you live in each and every second of it. So 50 years from now, you will have those memories to look back on and cherish just as if you were there.

I am proud of the brand I hold in my business, and I strive to help create a comfortable atmosphere for all of my clients and help make them feel confident in front of the camera while having a stress-free experience. I want all my potential clients to know that photography is an investment, but when you invest in me I will always invest 110% of myself in you. Meaning, you can come to me for any advice, vendor recommendations, venting needs, go-to wedding tips, you name it! I want you to know I will be there not only as a photographer, but a hype woman, a supporter, and your number-one fan!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

When it came to funding my business, I realized it wasn’t going to be easy. I worked 6 jobs, not including photography, to help pay for all my equipment, bills, and expenses. It wasn’t easy, I worked 7 days a week and most afternoons and evenings. I was tired, run-down, and overworked, but I knew in the long run it was going to be all worth it. that one day, I would be able to go full-time, and not have to work more than 2 jobs ever again. Finally, that day came. I don’t remember the day exactly, because it was a gradual change, but eventually, I was able to leave on job, then another, then another, until I was finally full-time in my photography career and I was able to rely on it financially, which was one of the BEST feelings ever.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I know a lot of people probably say this, but word of mouth!! Word of mouth is huge! When you photograph a wedding, not only are you trying to do your very best for the couple, but for everybody else who is also watching you do your job! It could be the parents, the wedding party, the guests, just being aware that anybody could be watching your actions and that those people who are watching may be considering us as their photographer for the future! A lot of my new clients come from past client referrals, guests that have attended weddings that I’ve photographed, and being tagged through facebook and Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicholebabiez.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/nicholebabiezphotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/nicholebabiezphotography