Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ami Nicole. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ami, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I ever took was quitting my job to pursue my creative endeavors full-time. I was working as a writer/content creator at a radio station, and I was simultaneously running a Photography business on the side. Once I got to a point where I was earning about the same amount as I was at my day job, I decided it was time to move forward and really make a “go” at having my own business.

The risk has paid off, but it also has been a battle. Winters as a photographer are pretty difficult in Detroit, as many people like to do photoshoots outside, and there are also fewer events. Since I tend to specialize in Portraiture and Concert/Event Photography, Winter is my slow season.

Because of this, I expanded my business and began working with a start-up as a journalist/editor, photographer, graphic designer, and social media manager. I also picked up an Indie Record Label client and provided social media, graphic design, and video services. Once I was able to prove my skills to others, I was able to pick up more clients and assist many other businesses as a content director and consultant.

Because of the need to adapt, I now have multi-faceted skillsets I can offer my clientele, and operate more as a creative house rather than just a photographer.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began shooting Photography at the age of 13, and I went to a high school that offered a Darkroom, as well as Communications Technology classes, a Journalism class, and a Student-Designed Yearbook team. During these classes, I realized this was the path I wanted to be on, and dedicated my life to being as well-rounded as possible in Photography, Writing, and Design.

I majored in Communications Technology with a minor in Journalism and those skills helped me get to where I am today, particularly a course I took from a former Editor of the Detroit News who was also a Photographer.

Before even graduating, I scored a writing job with a major radio conglomerate. I wrote for 60+ radio station websites for 3 years. This opened doors for me to write as a special to the Oakland Press and Macomb Daily covering major market concerts, as well as photographing concerts for the radio station.

I launched my own online media publication, which is currently called ACRONYM ZINE, as well as writing for other start-ups, and even landed a writing byline and multiple photo bylines in High Times Magazine. My interest in Cannabis led me to become an advocate for the plant, and eventually, I added “Influencer” and “Content Creator” to my resume for Cannabis brands across the United States.

With all of those things under my belt, sometimes people are confused as to WHAT I actually do, because I ended up becoming a Swiss Army Knife of Creativity. At present day, I do all of these things at once – which can make my life kind of hectic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The services I currently offer have been fine-tuned as follows:
– Photography, with an emphasis in Creative Portraits for Content Creators, Artists and Musicians, Concert & Festival Photography (with hopes of being brought on as a Photographer/Content Creator for a tour or festival in the future), Product Photography, Photography for Social Media / Branding purposes, and Still Photography for Feature Films and Music Videos.

– Journalistic Writing and Content Creation Writing on ACRONYM ZINE, as well as any freelance writing positions that come my way. I do accept paid placements for bands and musical artists for promotion, reviews on Cannabis tech, and more.

– Social Media Strategy and Management: I like to look at the project presented and see if it’s a good fit, and tend to gravitate toward brands that are trying to work around the stigma of Cannabis bans, as well as Small Business Owners and Indie Record Labels. I am really selective about who I work with in this capacity because I usually have to touch these accounts every day.

– Influencer / Content Creator: I am hired by brands (mainly Cannabis, but I’d love to expand) to promote products and events through Photography and Short-Form Video Content.

– Community Efforts: I participate in activism by documenting and reporting on it through ACRONYM ZINE, including Cannabis and Social Justice issues.

– DIY Art & Music Events: I curate Art and Musical Acts for mini-festivals and art activations to help promote other artists. My main event, Found in the Underground, usually has around 300 attendees, 2 musical stages, and over 50+ artists showcasing.

– Really Big Fan Podcast: My fiancé and I host a podcast that can be described as a hybrid of late-nite caliber monologues on current topics and niche interviews on specific focuses with fans and friends who are a “REALLY BIG FAN” of something – whether it be music, nerd fandoms, a specific movie/tv show, hobby or video game. We want to bring positivity to the podcast sphere and let people geek out on the things they love.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The Pandemic was definitely a moment in which I had to pivot. I had a lot geared up for the year 2020 including a publishing deal for ACRONYM ZINE through a national business that got scrapped due to lack of funding because of the Pandemic.

With concerts canceled and no in-person connections to be had, almost all of my Photography jobs dried up, and I was left with Social Media and Remote Writing jobs. Unfortunately, that doesn’t pay all of the bills.

Given that Michigan had become a new mecca for Cannabis with new grows and recreational purchases beginning, I shifted most of my focus there and began posting about that full-time, as well as entering back into the workforce as a budtender temporarily. The job offered me the education I needed to expand my Cannabis endeavors, and I ended up connecting with major brands like High Times, Levo, Ooze, and more, as well as being selected as one of the influencers honored by The BLUNTNESS/100, which showcases inspiring people and companies who have impacted the cannabis industry in a positive way.

As the Pandemic restrictions loosened, I was hired for appearances at Michigan-based dispensaries, photographed products for Cannabis brands, and promoted products on my own social media channels. Today, I still operate within the space, and it’s become part of my over-encompassing brand. Sometimes that becomes a challenge with those who believe Cannabis is still harmful – but being that I am able to as a business owner select who I choose to work with, I am able to weed out anyone who doesn’t agree with that lifestyle.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love helping people achieve things. Regardless of all the things I do and how multi-faceted they seem, if you really boil it down, that’s what fuels my soul. I like to provide images to clients that make them feel good, to write things that impact people in their heart, and to educate others on topics they may not understand. I love when bands repost my photos of them performing – it means that the photo was good enough to share with their audience. I find great pride when someone says “Ami helped me do this” and people celebrate them in the process. I feel like I’m doing GOOD for people in that sense.

If I had enough money, I would open a multi-room studio and workspace for creatives where people can come and safely work, provide free internet, open a coffee shop inside to keep us all caffeinated, and stock it with equipment people can rent to use so we all have a place to elevate our crafts. That would be my dream – more of a coworking space for just creative people. Until then, I will do my best to provide what I can for my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: acronymis.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/acronymis
• Facebook: facebook.com/acronymis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ami-nicole-detroit/
• Twitter: twitter.com/acronymis
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/acronymis
• Other: TikTok: tiktok.com/@acronymis IMDB: imdb.me/ami-nicole MUCK RACK VERIFIED JOURNALIST: https://muckrack.com/aminicole-acronym BEHANCE: https://www.behance.net/acronymis To find the Really Big Fan Podcast, head over to acronymis.com/reallybigfanpod To connect with ACRONYM ZINE, visit ACRONYMIS.com/ZINE

Image Credits
THE FEATURED IMAGE OF MYSELF WITH THE GLASSES – LIBBY O PHOTOGRAPHY ALL OTHER IMAGES – AMI NICOLE ACRONYM