We recently connected with Nichole Suemnick and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nichole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving behind a steady, structured income and a very predictable path to pursue my photography business full time. At the time, I was working multiple jobs—at a tanning salon and in a physical therapy clinic—while also going to school full time. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science, so I had a very clear, stable career path in front of me.

Even with that security, I felt strongly pulled toward photography. The outcomes were completely unknown, and there was no guarantee of success. Still, I’ve always been someone who pours my full heart into everything I do, so I made the decision to take the leap and fully commit to building my own business.

Looking back, it was definitely a risk, but it was one I didn’t second-guess. I’ve found a way to blend both sides of who I am—the structured, disciplined side from my science background and the creative, expressive side through photography. I genuinely love both, and I think that balance is what helps me bring something unique to my work today.

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?

I’ve always been surrounded by photography in one way or another. Growing up, my grandpa was constantly taking photos—everything from nature and butterflies to every family gathering we had. He would even turn his images from places like Alaska into monthly calendars and decorate his home with them. Looking back, I realize that I was raised around someone who saw the world through a creative lens, and that definitely influenced me more than I understood at the time.
I didn’t seriously pick up a camera myself until high school. At first, it was just for fun—taking photos of friends, family, and everyday moments—but it slowly started to grow into something more. What began as a hobby naturally snowballed into bigger opportunities, and eventually I made the decision to fully commit to the craft and pursue it professionally.
Today, I’m a Canon girl through and through, and I specialize in capturing authentic, meaningful moments that reflect people in their current season of life. I offer photography services that focus on telling real stories—whether that’s portraits, couples, families, or milestone moments.

What sets me apart is how intentional I am about perspective. I don’t just aim to take a beautiful photo; I really try to put myself in my clients’ shoes and understand how they want to remember that moment years down the line. My goal is always to create images that feel personal, timeless, and true to who they are—not just how they look, but how they felt in that season of life.

I’m most proud of the way this journey has come full circle—from growing up inspired by my grandpa’s creative eye, to now building a business where I get to do the same thing for others. For me, photography isn’t just about images—it’s about preserving memories that people can hold onto forever.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started building my audience on social media very organically, and honestly, not with a strategy at first. It began back when I was just taking photos for friends and family in high school. I would post my work because I was proud of it and excited to share what I was learning. At the time, I didn’t think of it as “building a brand”—it was just sharing something I loved.
As photography started to grow into something more serious for me, I stayed consistent with posting my work, even when it didn’t feel like many people were watching. Over time, people began to recognize my style and started reaching out—first friends of friends, then new clients I had never met. A lot of my growth came from word of mouth paired with showing up consistently online.

What really helped me build momentum was treating social media like a portfolio and a storytelling space, not just a highlight reel. I started focusing less on perfection and more on connection—sharing real sessions, real moments, and the meaning behind the images. That shift helped people not just see my work, but feel it.
As things grew, I also learned the importance of staying authentic. I didn’t try to copy what other photographers were doing or chase trends that didn’t feel like me. I leaned into my own perspective, and I think that’s what helped attract the right audience and clients.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice would be: stay consistent, even when it feels small, and don’t wait until you feel “ready” or have everything perfect. Post your work, share your process, and let your style evolve publicly. Also, focus on connection over comparison—your audience grows when people feel something through your work, not just when it looks polished.

Social media growth for me has been less about overnight success and more about showing up over time, trusting my voice, and letting my work speak for itself.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part for me is being able to give people something they can hold onto long after the moment has passed. Life moves so quickly, and most of the time we don’t realize how meaningful a season was until we’re already out of it. Photography lets me slow that down for people and preserve it in a way they can revisit forever.

I also really love the connection side of it. Even though I might only spend a short amount of time with a client during a session, I get to step into such personal, meaningful parts of their lives—whether that’s love, family, growth, or milestones. There’s something really special about being trusted with that and being able to reflect it back to them in an honest way.
On a personal level, it’s also rewarding to see how far I’ve come creatively. I started out just taking photos for fun, not really knowing where it would lead, and now I’ve built a business around something I genuinely love. Being able to combine creativity with purpose feels really grounding for me.

At the end of the day, it’s the idea that what I create doesn’t just exist in the moment—it becomes part of someone’s story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://website.pixieset.com/
• Instagram: Nichole Anna Photography
• Facebook: Nichole Anna Photography

Image Credits

Nichole Anna Photography