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

Hi Nicole, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At the beginning of my career, I never intended on starting my own business. I was a second shooter/contracted photographer for weddings, and I was comfortable in that role! As my skills sharpened and I made more contacts throughout the industry, I realized that I truly could take on my own weddings. I flourished as a lead photographer, and I quickly realized how wonderful potentially owning a business could be. I was extremely interested in making my own schedule, deciding my own prices, and serving which clients that I felt aligned with my values- which in turn has given me a strong sense of purpose both as a creative and as a human being.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a hybrid wedding photographer, meaning I shoot a mixture of mediums to tell stories. My favorite mediums are medium format film, 35mm film, digital, and drone. Film is certainly a piece of my art that I hold dear because it has challenged me to become a true master of my craft. Without getting too caught up in the jargon of it all, film makes me slow down, be intentional, and find the most sentimental, genuine, and authentic moments of the human experience. I photograph weddings so that when anyone interacts with the imagery, they can feel what the day was like- how the breeze felt, how the food smelled, how electric the dance floor was, how friends and family talked and hugged, and every precious memory in between.

It hasn’t been easy getting to where I am now. And I know it won’t be easy getting to the next step either. Because truthfully, running a small business is HARD. Running a small, creative business is really hard. Selling an art-based skill set to someone on the most important day of their lives is so hard that sometimes it seems impossible. But how I got to this point is defined by years of cultivating relationships with others in my industry, actively participating in professional development (AKA INVESTING IN MY BUSINESS), showing up each and every day, and making a lot- and I mean a lot- of mistakes. I got to this point because I haven’t given up and don’t plan to.

Weddings are special in that each event is unique- no two are the same. And no job is to be taken lightly.
Being a wedding photographer is a high pressure job that requires a vast array of skills that extend well beyond the ability to take a proper portrait. THOSE skills are the ones that set me apart because my work will speak for itself, but being kind and serving others well is what I want to be remembered by. I want the beauty of my work to be secondary, while the experience of being valued and loved on your wedding day shines in the spotlight of my brand and business.

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?
While there are many talented people who have played vital roles in my story, I have to recognize my older sister, Danielle, who initially planted the seeds in my creative heart. She also is a photographer with a brilliant eye for detail and seeing beauty from all angles. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue my dreams nearly a decade ago.

Website: www.nicoleleaphoto.com

Instagram: @nicoleleaphotography

Facebook: Nicole Lea Photography

Image Credits
All images of my own- Nicole Lea Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.