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

Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Starting last year I was able to officially earn a living solely from my business, and this year I made over 6 figures in my first year 100% full time. It took a lot of time, and effort to get here, but I am so glad to have made it this far. I started with photography as a hobby at the age of 12, and then two years later, I had a friend tell me I should turn it into a business. So, at the age of 14, I worked towards having a successful business. Navigating how to do that while being in high school was probably my biggest challenge, aside from having a majority of my teachers telling me that I would never make it since I had no intention to go to college. I grew up with supportive parents and a supportive family who knew I could do anything that I put my mind to, so I decided I wanted to prove those teachers wrong, and do what felt like the impossible, survive solely off my business from an early age.

Throughout high school I didn’t do too much business wise because I was focused on being a high school student, but once I graduated from school in 2019, I jumped full fledged into my business, and started working towards becoming a wedding photographer! I spent time doing free sessions for couples, and second shooting for other photographers to build up a portfolio. From there, I slowly started to book weddings, but it was also 2020, so it was to be expected with Covid. It was kind of nice to have a gentle launch of my business in the wedding industry because once it took off, it really took off! In 2021, I ended up booking 53 weddings, and had over 100 bookings in the year as a whole, while still working a part time job on top of it all. 2022 ended up being even more of a whirlwind, and I ended up going officially full time this past March. It has been exciting to watch my business flourish, and I can’t wait for what continues to be in store!

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 specialize in weddings, engagements and really just all things couples related; however, I still photograph all other kind of sessions too! I strive to give my couples the best possible experience from the moment they inquire to when I deliver their finished gallery. When hiring me as your photographer, you’re hiring someone who is going to be there for you! I am going to be there to help guide you through the whole thing, every step of the way. My biggest goal is to not just be your wedding photographer, but to be friends with you too! I genuinely care about you both, and our relationship.

I strive to give my couples the utmost comfort, help and an understanding of the value of their photos because there is nothing that I would rather be doing!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I personally think that when I was first starting out in the wedding industry and with photographing couples, the thing that helped me establish a clientele was doing content/free sessions to build up a portfolio to attract the type of clientele I was wanting to book. From there, the maintaining of relationships with clients is so important because without relationships with your clients they won’t return to use your services again and again. Having clients come back means that you continue to get business, but also reviews and word of mouth starts to travel around about your business to other potential clients!

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

The most rewarding part, by far, is when couples get their photos back, and they genuinely LOVE them. I love getting to hear about their experience with from their wedding day or shoot, but I love nothing more than knowing that they love their photographs, and that they will love them for decades to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: nicoledenaephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoledenaephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledenaephotos
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nicoledenaephoto/

Image Credits
Nicole Denae Photography LLC