We recently connected with Nuku Vang and have shared our conversation below.
Nuku, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Yes, I am happier as a business owner, but that doesn’t mean I never question it. It’s not all passion and freedom and dreamy “do what you love” moments. It’s also pressure, unpredictability, and a never-ending to-do list.
The last time I thought seriously about going back to a regular job was a few weeks ago, during a particularly quiet booking season, honestly. Inquiries had slowed, my bank account was tighter than I’d like to admit, and I was sitting at my desk staring at a spreadsheet of upcoming expenses. I had just finished editing a gallery late into the night the day before, and now here I was exhausted, financially stressed, and questioning everything.
I remember opening a job board and searching for remote positions. Something with a steady paycheck. Something where someone else makes the big decisions. I saw listings for content analyst roles, marketing assistants, admin jobs—things I could probably do. But as I started imagining that life, I felt this tightness in my chest. Not from fear, but from misalignment.
Because while those jobs offered stability, they also meant trading in the kind of freedom I’ve worked hard to build. Freedom to work with people I truly care about. Freedom to chase light through forests with a couple madly in love. Freedom to take a slow Tuesday morning to be with my son. That freedom is my currency.
So, I closed the job board, made some coffee, and gave myself space to breathe. I reminded myself that seasons shift. That slow months don’t mean failure. That I chose this not just for the work but for the life.
The insight I came to that day?
Being a business owner means learning how to self-soothe your fear, because no one else is going to reassure you. It means anchoring your belief not in guarantees, but in your why. And giving yourself grace not only because you should, but because you deserve to.
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.
Hi! I’m Nuku, the photographer behind Nuku Vang Photography. I specialize in elopements and intimate weddings for couples who want a slower, more intentional wedding day that truly reflects them. My style is cinematic, moody, and documentary-driven. Think storytelling over posing, emotion over perfection, and moments that feel like stills from a film.
How I Got Here
My journey into photography started years ago, rooted in something deeply personal. I grew up without my birth mom, and the few photos I have of us together are some of my most treasured belongings. They remind me of love, of presence, of what it felt like to just be with her. That planted the seed: I wanted to help others preserve the moments that matter most, the ones that don’t repeat themselves but can be relived through memories.
I picked up a camera seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic, and my love for visual storytelling only grew. After years of working in customer service, healthcare and finance, I found myself craving more freedom and creativity. Photography gave me that path.
What I Do
I offer more than just photos. I offer a full experience for couples who want a wedding day that feels like theirs — not a production, not a performance. One that really allows them to just be so that they can fully enjoy their day.
Here’s what I provide:
Elopement & Intimate Wedding Photography
Planning Support (custom timelines, vendor recs, location and activity ideas)
Guides and resources to help couples through planning
Unlimited consult calls as an industry insider
Story-driven galleries delivered via an online gallery for easing viewing, downloading, printing and sharing
But really, the service I offer is creating peace and presence. My couples come to me because they want to be in the moment, not worried about logistics or forced poses. They want to feel comfortable, seen, and safe being themselves.
What Makes My Work Different
I photograph with care, not control. I guide when needed, but I never interrupt something beautiful unfolding. My style uses motion blur, grain, warm tones, and creative compositions to evoke a sense of place and emotion. I balance a documentary approach with a cinematic lens.
Beyond the style, though, what sets me apart is how I show up for my clients: as a friend, a guide, and someone who genuinely cares. Photography and being photographed is an experience and I don’t want to ruin that experience. I use natural light to guide the day so that it’s never a strict minute-by-minute timeline. You won’t just get a photographer; you’ll get someone who’s checking in, cheering you on, and making sure you feel grounded, informed, and celebrated the entire way.
Who I Serve
Most of my couples are in their mid-20s or 30s, introverted, down-to-earth, and craving something real. They often feel stressed by the idea of a big wedding and want something smaller, more meaningful, and more reflective of their values. They want presence, intimacy, joy, and freedom.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the trust my clients give me. Proud of how often I hear, “This feels like us” and “You made us feel so comfortable.” Proud of the quiet, emotional moments I get to witness. Proud that I’ve built a business that allows me to be there for my son and family.
But most of all, I’m proud that I help people hold onto what matters. I could leave this world knowing that I made a difference in people’s lives and protected their peace.
What I Want You to Know
If you’re looking for a photographer who will make your day feel easier, quieter, slower (more like you) then we might be a perfect fit. I’m not here to make you pose like strangers. I’m here to be a calming presence and remind you to hold hands longer, breathe deeper, and soak it all in.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A few years ago, I was working in a completely different field — dental. I was a lead dental assistant at one point, and I had spent years in that environment: structured, fast-paced, and focused on helping others, but in a very clinical way. I was good at what I did, but I felt drained. I kept thinking, “Is this it?” I craved more creativity, more freedom, and something that felt like mine.
I remember waking up every morning and my chest would just ache, a heartache to be exact. Then one day, I finally accepted the ache. It cracked me open and suddenly everything I was tolerating in my career felt unbearable. I didn’t want to spend my life feeling depleted and disconnected.
That’s when I started to take strides toward a different career path. To be honest, photography didn’t happen for me right away. I had always loved taking pictures, but I’d never considered it a career. Still, even after years of career shifts and changes, something inside me kept saying: “Try photography.” So, I did. I started learning, shooting for family & friends, investing in education, building a brand, and even saying yes before I felt ready.
The pivot was not graceful. It was terrifying. I left behind a steady paycheck, benefits, and a defined role to step into something that had no guarantees. But what I found was purpose. Autonomy. Joy. I started photographing elopements and intimate weddings, and I quickly realized that this wasn’t just about a career anymore, it was about helping people slow down and be fully present for the moments that matter most.
Looking back, that pivot wasn’t just a career change. It was a life shift. I went from living on autopilot to building something with intention. I had to rewrite my definition of success and learn to trust myself even when things felt uncertain.
The biggest insight I’ve taken away?
Pivots are often born in discomfort, but they lead to alignment. You don’t have to wait until you’re ready, you just have to be brave enough to start.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Honestly, I believe my reputation has grown because of one core thing: how I make people feel.
Of course, beautiful photos matter. But in my experience, it’s the experience I create that leaves the deepest impression and keeps clients talking, referring, and returning.
A few things I think helped build my reputation:
1. Genuine Connection with Clients
I treat every couple like a friend. I take time to listen, understand what they need, and create space for them to feel safe, relaxed, and fully themselves. That connection doesn’t just show up in the final gallery; it shows up in how they feel during the entire process. That’s what people remember.
2. Clear, Supportive Communication
I’m intentional about how I guide couples from the first inquiry to the day-of to the final gallery. I offer helpful planning questionnaires, timeline support, and consistent, calming communication so they never feel lost or overwhelmed. I’ve been told over and over that I made the process easy, and that trust is what builds lasting loyalty.
3. Consistency in Style and Voice
I’ve developed a clear, recognizable photography style that’s cinematic and warm with a documentary edge. But more than that, my voice across emails, social media, and my website is consistent too. That consistency makes people feel like they know what to expect, and that builds trust before they even reach out.
4. Client-Centered Experience
I don’t just show up to take photos. I help couples build a day that feels like them with timeline guidance, location scouting, custom recommendations, and resources. I take pride in being more than “just” a photographer, and I think that level of service has set me apart in a crowded market.
5. Referrals and Word of Mouth
People remember how I made them feel — calm, supported, seen — and they want others to feel that too. That kind of word-of-mouth growth is something you can’t buy with ads or marketing tricks.
At the heart of it, I believe people hire me not just because they like my photos but because they trust me to hold space for one of the most important days of their lives. That trust is everything. And I protect it with intention, and consistency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nukuvang.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nukuvangphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nukuvangphotography/
Image Credits
Nuku Vang Photography