We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Resh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

There is honestly a handful of meaningful projects that I have worked on though out the years. I have two that come to mind. The first one is a production that Plaid Pony Productions produced which was a Wrangler shoot with Leon Bridges in Marfa, Texas. The crew was amazing, the styling was incredible and the location was perfect. Working with celebrities, artists or huge creatives really does not effect me in anyway. But Leon has always been one of my favorite musicians for years now and being in his presence and getting to work with him and his team on set was magic. I love West Texas cowboy vibes as well! The entire production went seamlessly and the photos and videos for the campaign are still some of my favorite til this day that Plaid Pony has produced.

The second was a photoshoot for Metal Umbrella which is popular streamer and video gamer, Sypher PK’s apparel line. It was a Oni Studios production and it was also my very first campaign photo and video shoot I shot for them! We shot in the studio and it’s always a good time creating in the studio. Seeing the entire planning process from start to finish was a dream.

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who do not know me, I am Nicole Resh. I go by Freshi on set. I got into the production industry pretty much right out of high school. I hated school so much and always found myself taking photos, making art or brainstorming creative ideas. I dropped out of college a semester in and I truly believe in divine timing because right after I dropped out I met the Plaid Pony Production crew and changed my life! While working on production sets I was also starting my freelance photography business and serving tables. Since I did not go to college I really had to hustle and make a name for myself in the industry, create my brand, network like crazy, all while trying to make ends meet. That is why I am so independent and insanely disciplined to this day I think. I always say to myself ‘lack of discipline makes you ugly”. So, kick ass! Haha. I recently just started my own podcast called ‘Easier Said Than Done’ and I go more in depth about how I got started. Make sure to check it out, I am uploading my first episode soon!

I have my own business called Freshi Photo. I am a Content Producer at Oni Studios and still to this day work for Plaid Pony Productions. I specialize in fashion and lifestyle photography, but I have honestly shot everything you can think of. After countless of photo and video shoots, I began to fall in love with directing and producing. Being on set, throwing creative pitches in a board room and creating a whole project from scratch with my crews, is when I feel my most authentic and beautiful self. I get a high from my job. It is a blessing and I have so much gratitude for that because I know not everyone can say that or will ever get the opportunity to say or feel that. I think people have a misconception on what I truly do. You may think I just pick up a camera and snap some photos and call it a day. No. It takes a lot of creative strategy, logistics, organization, time, people and non stop premeditating.

What sets myself apart from other creators is my energy and production knowledge. I try and go above and beyond for each brand or person I am working with. Also, I have worked on multi million dollar budgets to scraping pennies to try and produce a project. I treat every project and individual the same and want everyones visions to come to life. Key is to make everyone comfortable on set and simply have fun.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am really into every single book Eckhart Tolle has written. “Power Off Now and “A New Earth”. I have read both of those countless of times. I am also a huge Marcus Aurelius fan. His book “Meditations” is about the importance of the rational mind and will and just a lot about stoicism that I have applied into work and my everyday life. Their messages have changed my entire mindset and the way I live. Highly recommend reading their books.

I did listen to this Lex Fridman podcast recently where he talked with Matthew McConaughey about having an innate ability. He describes that basically if you have a innate ability to do something then don’t hold yourself back.
“𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲⁣
⁣𝗣𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵⁣⁣
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼, 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸⁣
⁣𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲⁣”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The way how times are changing this doesn’t really apply anymore but I suppose some judge me off how I “don’t have the college experience” and do not have a degree to fall back on. They think my job does not require a lot of hours, or structure or lessons. I often feel like I am quite misunderstood by many. It use to be discouraging at times but now, I find it kind of comical. They key to life is acceptance, so I have accepted it. And frankly, I would rather have the life experiences my job has brought me than a “college experience.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://freshiphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshiphoto/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-resh-40aa40156/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfCysN0Nxe6m9V-061Rx8pA
• Other: http://www.plaidponyproductions.com https://onistudios.gg/