Meet Cassie Nickle | The Newborn Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Nickle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I’ve read about five business books in the past year, filled with a plethora of knowledge on being successful, and every single one stressed the importance of daily habits for continued success. It’s been quite an enlightening experiment, trying out different things to see what works best for me, and my career. At this point in time, I have six habits that I’ve nailed down, and from which I’ve seen the greatest benefit. Hour by Hour Schedule Last year I had myself convinced that there just wasn’t enough time in the day to do everything that I needed to get done. One day I sat down and type up an hour-by-hour (sometimes 30 minutes) spreadsheet of what exactly it was I needed to do, and was currently doing with my time. This was eye-opening, to say the least. I realized that I had the extra time I needed, it was just being spent on social media, Netflix (Schitt’s Creek is amazing am I right?!), and checking my email for the 14th time. Ouch. Waking up Early I also realized that sleeping until 7:30 am like my kids do was no longer going to cut it. I needed more time, but I also needed more uninterrupted time. I now wake up at 6:00 am, spend time reading my Bible and working out. Setting Alarms on my Phone As a mom, wife, Newborn Photographer, and part-time PE Teacher, (not to mention maid, chef, chauffeur, etc) I have a lot of things to do, and also get distracted by butterflies. After I made my hour-by-hour spreadsheet, I spent thirty minutes setting alarms in my phone for the things I needed to do, places I need to be, and people I needed to pick up. This drives my husband batty, but it works for me. I am much more productive, and far less stressed knowing I don’t have to hold all the to-dos in my brain. Also, when I’m lingering on one task, and my alarm goes off for the next, it’s a gentle nudge to wrap that thing up for the day and go at it again tomorrow. Certain Tasks for Certain Days Perhaps this is a no-brainer for some, but it has made my life so much smoother. When making my schedule I noticed that there were tasks that I needed to do once a week, every week, but I was completing them sporadically, whenever I remembered. This led to sometimes forgetting them, rushing to finish them, or fitting them in wherever I could. I’ve learned that when things are planned, thought out, and purposeful, they can be managed so much more efficiently. So now, for instance, I have one day a week when I order and pick up groceries, one day a week where I sit down and schedule out my entire week’s worth of social media posts. I shoot Newborn Sessions only on two specific days of the week and edit those on two other days. There’s so much to be said about the benefits of a great routine. Boundaries Being an entrepreneur is tons of stressful work and it’s so easy to want to get everything done, today. But what I’m learning is that there’s always something to do, always one more thing to get your name out there, to go after the next client. While I want my children to see their parents working hard to build their businesses (my husband is an entrepreneur as well) I also want them to see parents with healthy boundaries. This is the habit that I’m continuing to work on the most and am still making progress in. Sometimes I still answer emails in the weekday evenings, I still find myself editing on Saturday if I’m behind schedule, but I have decided, that Sundays are for the Sabbath. To rest, to trust that my business can go one day without me touching it, and to savor my family and faith above all else. Getting Enough Sleep Getting enough sleep seems like the habit that people tend to overlook, roll their eyes at and scoff, or just plain ignore. I’m telling you, eight hours of sleep will do wonders for you. My brain feels more alert, my body has more energy to give, and I overall just feel better when I get eight solid hours. It also certainly helps with Habit 1, waking up early. When I don’t get enough sleep I’m mad at myself, begrudgingly get out of bed with a very cranky attitude, or sometimes just hit my snooze, thus starting my day behind. EIGHT HOURS, it’s magic.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Newborn Artist is a full-service, luxury photography company specializing in baby’s first year. Clients come to me, and keep coming back, for my client experience, classic style, and polished images. As an internationally award-winning newborn photographer, I strive to provide over-the-top client experience, only surpassed by my breathtaking art. Parents of newborns are typically struggling. They are barely sleeping, rarely showering, and trying to figure out how to keep a tiny human alive. Over the years I’ve continued cultivating ways to take care of them, as well as their newborns, during my sessions. From having a hair and makeup artist come to the studio to pamper mom, to having lunch delivered during the shoot, it’s a joy to spoil my clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh wow, so many great places to choose from. I love to eat, so restaurants would be at the top of my list. Breakfast: I’d have to take them to Snooze A.M. Eatery, and I’d be sure we ordered not only the ham benedict but also the OMG French Toast. Lunch: Coco Shrimp and Austin City Tacos (the cheat day queso and sangria swirls are must-haves!) Dinner: Lonesome Dove and B&B Butchers & Restaurant (the best crab cakes I’ve ever put in my mouth) To See and Do: Renting a kayak and stand-up paddleboard and spending a few hours on the Trinity for sure! Bike riding down the Trinity Trails Saturday morning to end up at The Clearfork Farmers Market to buy fresh bread, cheeses, and jams! To Drink: The Usual Bar and The Amber Room both have such great, laid-back environments that have great drinks and allow for great conversation.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Authors Grant Cardone and Dan Lok have hands down changed the way I look at my self-worth, discipline, efficiency, and entrepreneurship. Reading their work has truly shifted my mindset and kicked my butt in gear!

Website: www.thenewbornartistdfw.com

Instagram: @thenewbornartistdfw

Facebook: facebook.com/thenewbornartistdfw