We recently had the chance to connect with Nicole Messer and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
With the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of technology we live in these days, it’s easy to not notice the nuance that comes with being an artist in the photographic field. I’ve not only been an art hobbyist since I was a child, but I’ve committed my life to creating art. I went to college for traditional fine arts, and technical theatre art, along with photographic and video fine art as my primary focus. But this also includes much research, art history, scholarly background, and first-hand experiences. Being a photographer is so much more than simply buying and picking up a camera, especially in my case. It’s a culmination of decades of interest, hard work, trial and error, experiments and successes, traveling for new experiences and subjects, and countless hours with a paintbrush, pencil, or digital pen in my hand.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Art has been my life’s work, my ultimate passion, for as long as I can remember. My name is Nicole, and I have been running my photography business Nicole Johanna Photography for about twelve years professionally, now. I bring my studious and diligent background from the fine art world into my photographic art, which today includes capturing weddings, families, and fine art or conceptual projects. I’ve long been inspired by not only art history’s works and techniques of the past but also the more contemporary attributes and styles of modern-day film work and theatric productions. I’m no stranger to both traditional arts and digital art, using painterly skills to enhance digital photos or bringing a sense of how light plays within a photograph to a bold painting. Everything I do, be it for work or leisure, is related back to art. And that zeal fuels my drive to create unique works of art capturing priceless moments for my clients.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In regards to creating, I remember feeling like I stood out in elementary and middle school—in a good way. I was always academically inclined, but I especially excelled in a class that most people didn’t care for nor put too much effort into: art class. I remember noting that classmates and teachers commented on my efforts and skills, ones I had been honing just for-fun at home in the meanwhile. I grew up drawing, painting, and throwing clay all the time, and by middle school the more technical world of photography was introduced to me, as well. With both support from others and my family, I knew something in the world of art was what I had to pursue with my career.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Insanity is trying the same thing and expecting different results. But in the world of an artist, that simply means learning to pivot and try again. Whether it’s creating new artwork, applying for a gallery showing, or mastering a new digital photography technique, all these things are earned through trial and error. Another well-known saying is: “You’re not working on the masterpiece: you’re working towards it.” That is, you’re always able to learn more. While experimenting, faltering, and trying again in a new light might not be suffering per say, it certainly is a hurdle that is met time and again as an artist. If you let those hurdles stop you completely, you’ll never grow.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
In the past when I was much younger, I used to think skill was bestowed on lucky individuals who were simply at the right place at the right time, or some other cliché as such. But as I’ve gone through many experiences with my pursuits in the art world, including getting artwork published several times and having a handful of gallery showings in the past, it truly does come down to time and effort put-in. You can only hone skills that you’re continually working on.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
If I were to give advice to others on this topic, I would say you’d regret not traveling, once you have seen how amazing and insightful it can be to do so. Traveling around the world has been one of the most rewarding and incredible experiences of my life, and I have been so fortunate as to have traveling to many places including Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and Greece. Not only to become inspired to paint or photograph in these other places, but also to experience vibrant cultures that help change you as a person are just a few of the many reasons to get out of your comfort zone and experience this giant, wonderful planet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolejohannaphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_njphotos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolenjphotos
