We were lucky to catch up with Sierra Nevels recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

It’s wild how I got here because I never imagined I’d be a full-time photographer, let alone a business owner. I didn’t go to school for photography—I actually started out as a nursing major at Southern University in Baton Rouge. I later switched my major to psychology and earned my degree, but I still felt like nursing was unfinished business. I went back to school to give it another try while working part-time at AT&T, but I didn’t get into the program—and soon after, I became pregnant with my son, Cassius Amir.

Becoming a mother changed my entire perspective. I needed a job that gave me weekends and summers off to be present in his life, so I became a teacher and used my psychology degree to work in the school system. Around this time, photography started to take root. I had always loved cameras—growing up, I kept a digital camera with me everywhere I went. In college, I invested in a more professional camera during my senior year, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. I shot in auto and barely used it—especially during my son’s first year. But once he turned one, I started picking it back up.

I began taking photos at birthday parties, baby showers, and weddings for free, just to learn and practice. People started inviting me places expecting me to bring my camera, and I realized I was actually pretty good. That’s when I decided to start charging and treating it like a real business. In 2017, I officially registered Sierra Nicole Photography with the state and became a licensed business owner. This year marks 8 years in business, and it’s been a journey.

While teaching full-time, raising my son, and pursuing a master’s in healthcare administration, I continued growing my photography business. At first, I shot in my apartment, but it didn’t feel right having strangers in my personal space. I later partnered with a friend to rent a shared space, which gave me a bit more separation between home and business. Then, about a year before the pandemic, I took a leap and secured my very own photography studio—no partners, just me.

In 2020, the pandemic hit. While many businesses were struggling, mine took off. I don’t know if it was the stimulus checks, PPP loans, or just people wanting to prioritize memories again—but I had my best financial year ever. At the time, I was working full-time in education as a college and career coach. I was making the most money I’d ever made in that role, but I knew deep down it was time to fully bet on myself. So I walked away from that job and committed to running Sierra Nicole Photography full-time—and I haven’t looked back since.

These days, I focus on studio and outdoor portrait sessions—families, grads, cake smashes, milestone birthdays, and more. I no longer shoot events, weddings, or newborns. My business has evolved a lot since those early days of free party photos, and I’ve grown right along with it. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the path I took. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t instant, but the journey taught me faith, resilience, and how to trust God’s timing—not just my own.

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?

My name is Sierra Nicole Nevels, and I’m the owner of Sierra Nicole Photography—a brand named after my first and middle name. I’m a 35-year-old mother to a brilliant 10-year-old son named Cassius Amir. I wear many hats—mom, daughter, sister, godmother, aunt, and significant other—but above all, I’m a full-time creative entrepreneur. I’m originally from the village of Tangipahoa, Louisiana, a small, close-knit community we call “Four Corners,” with just one red light and two gas stations. Everyone knows everyone, and the village raised me. That small-town upbringing shaped my values: faith, family, and hard work.

I’m a proud graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I also hold a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Walden University. Although I’m not currently working in healthcare, that education helped sharpen my professionalism and discipline—skills I use daily as a business owner. I officially registered Sierra Nicole Photography as an LLC in 2017, and this year marks eight years in business.

Photography has always been part of me. In middle and high school, I carried a digital camera everywhere. During my senior year of college, I invested in a professional camera, though I didn’t fully know how to use it at the time. When my son was born, I barely picked it up, but after his first birthday, something clicked. I started taking pictures at parties, baby showers, and weddings for free—just practicing. Eventually, people started asking, “Are you bringing your camera?” I took that as a sign to start charging. The rest was history.

Today, I specialize in studio and outdoor portrait sessions—including birthday milestones, graduate sessions, maternity, family portraits, and creative concept shoots. I’m known for bringing a unique, outside-the-box style to my work. I love to dream up creative concepts, utilize props, and blend photography with digital design to produce images you won’t see just anywhere. My goal is always to take a concept and give it a fresh twist. If you can imagine it, I’m going to try my best to create it.

What sets me apart is my energy. I love making my clients feel comfortable and confident. Whether it’s their first shoot or their fifteenth, I meet them where they are—with humor, warmth, and no judgment. Many of my clients arrive nervous or unsure of how they’ll look, and by the end, they leave feeling beautiful, empowered, and proud of themselves. Sometimes people don’t see their beauty until it’s captured—and I love helping bring that inner light to the surface.

My personal connection to photography runs deep. In 2021, I lost my father due to complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia. That loss reminded me of how powerful photos are. When everything else fades, memories live on through images. That’s why I value what I do so much. It’s not just about creating cool, creative shots—it’s about preserving moments that matter.

Before going full-time, I shot sessions from my two-bedroom apartment and later shared a small space with a friend. But in 2019, just a year before the pandemic, I secured my own photography studio for the first time. I literally drew the layout by hand on paper and prayed I’d one day have my own creative space. Within two years, that dream came true. Now, I run my business from a 1,500+ square foot warehouse studio—a space that’s mine and represents how far I’ve come.

I’m most proud of my resilience. I’ve faced setbacks and doubt, but I never gave up. I’ve built this business on faith, creativity, and consistency. I put God first in all that I do, and I always show up for my clients with professionalism and heart.

The main thing I want people to know is that I’m human. I’m a small business owner, not a corporation. I’m one person—juggling motherhood, life, and business—but I give my all. I work hard to make every client feel valued, seen, and beautiful. I strive to deliver great service, but also connection, laughter, and a memorable experience. I’m goofy, fun, and full of personality—and I bring that into every session.

Whether you’re coming to me for a milestone shoot or a bold creative concept, know that you’re in good hands. I’m passionate about what I do, and I genuinely care about making your vision come to life.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Absolutely—my side hustle turned into my full-time career, and it’s one of the most unexpected blessings of my life. I didn’t go to school for photography, and I never imagined I’d be a creative entrepreneur. I graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then went on to earn my master’s in healthcare administration from Walden University.

At the time, I was working at AT&T Mobility part-time while taking the remaining prerequisites to enter into nursing school. I didn’t get into the program, and around that same time, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Cassius Amir. Becoming a mother changed everything. I knew I needed a career path that allowed me to be present—off on weekends and summers, something that aligned with his school schedule—so I pivoted into teaching.

While teaching, I picked my camera back up. I had purchased it during my senior year of college, but I didn’t really know how to use it then. After my son turned one, I started bringing it with me to events—baby showers, birthday parties, weddings—and people began to ask, “Are you bringing your camera?” I wasn’t charging at first. I just wanted the practice. But as the demand grew, I realized I had something special.

That’s when I began treating photography like a business. In 2017, I officially registered Sierra Nicole Photography with the state of Louisiana. I started shooting out of my two-bedroom apartment, then began doing more outdoor sessions and eventually partnered with a friend to share a rented space. I juggled a full-time teaching career, graduate school, single motherhood, and my side hustle—but photography kept growing.

By 2019, I took a leap and opened my first solo photography studio. No partners—just me. Then the pandemic hit in 2020. While many businesses struggled, mine flourished. It became clear that this was where I was meant to be. I walked away from my full-time job in education and made photography my full-time career. I’ve been full-time ever since.

The key milestones along the way were:
• Registering as an official business in 2017
• Transitioning from shooting in my apartment to renting shared space
• Opening my own studio in 2019
• Quitting my full-time job in 2020 to pursue photography full time

This side hustle gave me freedom, fulfillment, and purpose. It started as something I did “on the side” just to stay creative—and today, it’s the foundation of my livelihood, my legacy, and the thing that allows me to serve others by capturing life’s most meaningful moments.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Honestly, I used to be much more consistent with posting on social media, but lately, I just haven’t had the energy for it. I’ve barely been posting on my business pages, so I know my new clients aren’t coming from Instagram or Facebook. Without a doubt, my best source of new clients has been word of mouth.

My clients often share their images, tag me, and tell others about their experience—which naturally brings in new faces. Referrals and real recommendations have been the most consistent and powerful source of growth for my business. Even when I’m not marketing actively, I still have an influx of new bookings, and I credit that to the trust and support of my current and past clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sierranicolestudio.com
• Instagram: @SierraNicoleStudio
• Facebook: Sierra Nicole Photography, LLC
• Linkedin: Sierra Nevels
• Yelp: Sierra Nicole Photography
• Other: TikTok: @SierraNicoleStudio

Image Credits

Sierra Nicole Photography