We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nick Frontiero a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
The idea has always been to create. I’ve been a part of creating something for the vast majority of my life, even at a young age I was always making music, mixtapes for friends, and creative writing. Thinking about how to present it, the vibe I wanted to set, and how from packaging to the creative itself would all be tied together. I feel like as a creative, it’s best for you to learn as much as possibly can in the tools of your craft. For me, my biggest tool is my camera. You kind of go through phases, how do I become a better photographer/videographer with the tools that I have to how do I become a better business person? For me, everything really started to click and execute when I understood that the relationships you create within your business means everything to execute. That time invested into relationships is just as important as the time invested in your craft.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I first started in radio as the assistant production director for Cumulus Broadcasting of Montgomery, AL. I was responsible for the majority of the creative there writing commercial scripts, working with clients to produce radio ads, voicing over radio ads myself, and working with on air talent to produce radio ads. I left my position to begin my own advertising agency, all I had was a computer, microphone, and a tiny little room worked out of in my house. To capture video I decided to purchase my first DSLR camera which was a Canon MKII. It was quite the learning curve to start, I had no idea what I was doing. I began photographing event design set up for who eventually became my wife, and rather quickly started securing small paying gigs as a photographer. Thirteen years later I went from working out of my tiny little room in my home to now having my third studio/office space location with two employees. My biggest accomplishment has been sticking to my brand and my vision this entire time. To present the vibe I wanted to convey to each client whether it was in person or through email. It hasn’t been easy, and there are way more people trying to talk out of it than there are people boosting you when things don’t necessarily go away. Always believe in yourself until the bitter end!
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
My business began as an advertising agency, and a few years into my business I became a wedding/portrait photographer. Embracing that and putting the advertising agency down for several years was kind of a unique journey. While I would always pick up jobs in that field of advertising I really wanted to focus on the brands of local businesses, but I knew I needed to prove myself first and foremost. Plus, my time was extremely limited having a family of my own and being incredibly busy photographing a lot of weddings and portrait sessions.
A couple years back when the Pandemic hit I knew it was time to get back that advertising agency, all the events I had lined up for 2020 was very much in question. Now that my wedding photography and portrait photography was built and secure after ten years of constant refinement it was time to start focusing on the advertising agency aspect. I didn’t want to be the same ole type of advertising agency, I wanted to help local businesses strategize and brand from within. Since I revisited that concept it’s been awesome to see another entity of my business flourish and catch fire. The results for my clients have been astounding!! I had to build a team of my own that shared a similar mindset, and that’s been pretty rad to be a part of also. I’m super thankful to make a living documenting moments in time and helping other local businesses achieve results they dreamed about that will last for generations to come.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Honestly it’s kind of a cliche response, but just being honest with myself and those I have been fortunate to serve. Just being the same person day in and day out creating that sense of consitency both in person and through social media. I’m huge on prints, not so much on the social media game. So I’m asking my clients to make investments on not only the labor of love with shooting and editing, but also in securing those memories for generations to come via prints whether it’s loose prints, canvases, matted prints, albums, etc. There’s not many of us out there that believes a professional crafted image is meant to be printed. It’s much easier to find your niche and people when you are swimming in opposite currents than the majority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nickfrontierophotography.com
- Instagram: @nickfrontierophotography
- Facebook: @nickfrontierophotography
- Other: http://www.nickfrontieroproductions.com IG: @nick_frontiero_productions