Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Carter.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have been traveling and doing photography from a young age. My parents loved to travel and took us on quite a bit of trips. The first trip I remember was when I was 5 and my parents had an RV. We traveled up to Yellowstone, Devil’s Tower, and Mount Rushmore. They handed me my first disposable camera.
It had a pink jelly case on it. I took a photo of a coyote walking on the road from the RV and was so proud of myself and also so excited to see a coyote! Every year, we took the RV somewhere and I came to enjoy the outdoors and hiking. As I got older, my parents traded in the RV and began cruising. I started to see new parts of the world as we went to the Caribbean, the Baltic, and the Mediterranean. When I got into college, I played soccer for Westminster College. So travel continued as I played all across the United States. I saw states that we had never visited in the RV and I got to travel with friends, playing the sport I loved.
When I finished college, I started a job in a laboratory where I only worked 4 days a week so I always had 3 day weekends to travel. When I had free time, I would create itineraries for countries I had never been to. I love to research and put together an itinerary. Everyone I talked to about travel would say I needed to work for a travel agency. So, I left the lab and pursued a career in travel. I have been helping others travel and see the world and I love that. I enjoy inspiring others through photography and then helping them create the perfect trip for them, it’s a win-win!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Especially when COVID happened and nobody was traveling, it was hard for me to stay at home. I felt cooped up, and sad, and I missed being outdoors. There were a lot of trips, not only for me but my clients as well, that were canceled.
Some people never really got back in to travel while others were unsure when they would feel comfortable with it again. Building back up a clientele has been difficult. But we have ramped back up to where we were if not more, just to make up for lost time! And I’m sure others will get there eventually too.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have had a camera since I was very little. I had disposable cameras and film cameras, and in high school, I got my first nice digital camera. I took many photography classes learning how to create, and use Photoshop and Lightroom. When I was younger, I would take photos of everything and everyone around me. I loved to capture my life in photography. As I got older, I got into hiking and nature photography.
When I would hike, I would want to capture the views I saw not only for my memory but also to show others who weren’t capable of getting there. I would share my photographs with people I visited in hospice. And it was a way for them to see the world. I would tell them about the hike and my travels and it was amazing to see them smile. I created my Instagram to share those photos, those memories, and the beautiful places I’ve been fortunate to visit.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice would be to talk to everyone! In the grocery store, on the plane, and the bus. You never know who you will run into.
There are so many great people who can offer insights and that one conversation could change your perspective, give you an idea, or point you in the direction you need to go. Kindness goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecarter08
