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

Nickie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I’ll never forget the first time a complete stranger booked me. I felt like a fraud!

Up until that point, all of my clients had been friends, family, or people who’d heard about me through the grapevine. I was still growing my portfolio, still figuring out the “business” part of being a photographer—and honestly, I was still doubting myself a little.

Then one day, I got a inquiry and I didn’t recognize the name. I checked again. Not a friend, not a friend-of-a-friend. A real client who had found me through Google and said, “I love your work. I want to book a session?”

That moment meant the world to me because it validated everything I had been working so hard for. It was the turning point where I realized: this is real. This is working. My brand, my experience, my photos—they actually spoke to someone.

Nickie, 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?

Hi, I’m Nickie Cole—newborn photographer, mama, and the heart behind Nicola Jane Photography.

My journey into photography began like many—through a love of capturing moments. But it wasn’t until I became a mom myself (after years of waiting and hoping) that I truly understood how quickly those newborn days pass. That’s when this passion became something more—a way to help other families hold on to those fleeting, beautiful first moments.

I specialize in posed studio newborn sessions and milestone portraits. My studio is fully stocked and thoughtfully designed to be a peaceful space where families can relax while I take care of everything.

One thing that sets me apart is how seriously I take your baby’s safety. I’ve spent years refining my craft and training in safe posing techniques, and I’m fully certified in infant CPR. Every session is baby-led and calm, with safety and comfort as top priorities. But I’m not just focused on the baby—I’m here to take care of you too. Whether that means a quiet space to sip coffee, toys to entertain a big sibling, or simply making you feel seen and supported, I want your time in my studio to feel like a deep breath.

I’m proud of the experience I’ve created and the trust families place in me. This work is personal, and I don’t take a single session for granted.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I started, I had nothing—just a camera, a dream, and a whole lot of determination.

There was no big loan, no fancy studio, and definitely no start-up capital. I used natural light, a beanbag from my kids’ room, and whatever blankets I could find that looked cute enough for a backdrop. I practiced constantly—on my own kids, on friends’ babies, whenever I got the chance. Every dollar I earned went straight back into the business: a new lens here, a prop there, eventually a light and some backdrops.

It was all slow and scrappy—but also really meaningful. Looking back, I’m proud that I built this from the ground up. It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened because I refused to give up on what I knew I could create.

And now, here I am—still doing what I love, with a fully stocked studio and a heart full of gratitude for where it all began.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Like so many others, I had to pivot hard during the COVID shutdown. The world came to a standstill—but babies didn’t stop being born, and parents still wanted to capture those precious first moments.

So, I got creative. I put together little “DIY newborn photo kits” for families—complete with wraps, props, posing guides, and even a camera they could borrow. Then I hopped on Zoom and gently walked parents through safe, simple poses right from their own living room. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t what any of us dreamed of, but it gave families something—something real—to remember that time by.

Looking back, I’m proud of how I showed up for my clients when it mattered most. That experience reminded me that this work is about more than perfect pictures—it’s about love, adaptability, and preserving memories no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicolajanephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolajanephotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolajanephoto