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

Alright, Aya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Knowing what I know now , there are a lot of things that I would have done to speed up my learning process. I would have definitely taken more notes and asked more questions. I think that going to school and taking courses about photography really helped me learn the basic technicalities. A lot of the learning came from practice and hands-on experience. For me the most effective way to learn about photography is though hands-on experience.

Patience and perseverance are two skills that are very important to have , it’s good to learn from our mistakes and continually improve. It is also important to be able to communicate and pitch yourself well to people you want to work with. Connecting with experienced photographers is not only really important but it is a great way to branch out and network with others who can provide you with insight to help with your own growth.

Having limited access to camera equipment , time constraints , and the personal fear of failure have been some of my personal obstacle that stood in the way of me learning .

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 grew up in the Chicagoland area and my initial exposure to the world of photography came through my mom’s contagious passion for the craft. Her enthusiasm towards the arts really sparked my curiosity.

After experiencing photography firsthand, I later discovered a profound love for being behind the camera and creating. Now , I am currently in my third year at Columbia College Chicago studying photography.

When I first started photography , I started off creating work that was strictly in the field of commercial work. Later down the line , I began to experiment more with abstract , fashion , and community based projects. I found that I not only love working with people , but I really enjoy creating work that can help elevate and support stories.

A project that I am really proud of is my project “Empty Space” , It is a body of work that brings a light on to struggling communities that lack funding that they need to grow. Showing that not all neighborhoods are given equal opportunities.
https://ayanicolephoto.myportfolio.com/empty-spaces

I am eager to collaborate with clients/creatives to enhance and elevate their projects. Together, we can bring a creative vision to life. Ensuring that the end result not only meets but exceeds expectations. Your goals will be my priority, and I am committed to delivering work that adds significant value to your projects.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

As of right now , word of mouth has been my best source when it comes to receiving new clients. Both word of mouth and partnering with other businesses and creating connections have put me in connection with new clients.

The authenticity of positive recommendations and the strength of my professional connections have seamlessly converged, resulting in meaningful connections with new clients.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I try to have lots of open communications and regularly check in with clients though emails or personalized messages.

I am always demonstrating my commitment and maintain a genuine interest in my clients’ success and ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ayanicolephoto.myportfolio.com/work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayaniccole/

Image Credits
Gabriela Cantú Aya Nicole