Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Cook
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always loved photography and began taking photos at a very young age. Photography was on the backburner career wise; I had intended to be a Veterinarian. I completed internships, college, and 7 years in the work field in veterinary medicine and realized that with my family, especially my young daughters, I wanted to be able to be more present and available for them. Working in healthcare and emergency services had long hours that were often unpredictable. I found a photographer job at a local studio to learn more and test how photography would be as an actual career. Would I still love it? Turns out it was amazing for me! Six months later I made the official switch and haven’t turned back!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it is definitely not a smooth road. As all new business owners do, you make mistakes and sometimes I catch myself up at night thinking about how dumb or nuts it was that I made some of the decisions I did. Such is life though! The biggest struggles for me have been learning about business and time management. I feel like it is a common struggle with creatives to learn how to market, run a business, and successfully time manage. We tend to be free spirits and out of our realm of study when it comes to that end of a business. Time to grow though! Bring on the struggle!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a wedding and elopement photographer based in Utah. My work is described as natural, timeless, joyful and colorful. I excel at helping people feel at ease in front of the camera and while with me during their sessions or wedding days. I’m very proud that I can help so many truly be present and enjoy their wedding day by providing a calm, fun atmosphere with them and their guests and give them the confidence that we will capture the moments they can and can’t see so all they need to do is just go and love the day they have worked and waited for! I also provide family and portrait sessions and love being able to work with all different personalities and ages to make everyone feel seen and captured in their best light.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Both have had their part to play. I’ve been lucky in the people I’ve been privileged to meet and work with. I’m lucky that I’m in Utah, surrounded by so many landscapes and national parks to explore and photograph in. I’m lucky that my sister is also a photographer and videographer and helped me land my first photographer job. As far as unlucky goes… let’s just count the entirety of 2020 and the cancellation of weddings for years as some rough bad luck that affected a lot of people and careers.
Pricing:
- In state weddings begin at $3,000
- Out of state weddings begin at $4,000
- Family and Portrait sessions begin at $280
- Wedding videography begins at $1,800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ColeyCookPhotography.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/ColeyCookPhotography
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ColeyCookPhotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColeyCookPhotography
Image Credits
Coley Cook Photography
