Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Defilippis.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is different from most photographers since I didn’t initially set out to be a photographer. 15 years ago, I was in college studying to become a Elementary School teacher. 10 years ago, I was on floor of the Chicago Board of Trade checking trades while learning to become an electronic futures trader. Both careers were a far cry from photography!
While photography wasn’t the primary focus of life back then, it was always there. I always had a camera with me when I was out with friends. I loved capturing moments of all of us having fun. Little did I know I was discovering the basis of my eventual photography business.
I started to feel limited by point and shoot camera, so I upgraded to DSLR about 10 years ago and dove into learning everything I possibly could about my camera and photography. I read books, joined online forums, took workshops, watched online tutorials, etc. My friends and family were very gracious models, in the beginning, letting me take engagement and family photos.
Word of mouth and Social media played a big part of getting the ball rolling on the portrait side of the business. Weddings followed a few years later thanks to experienced wedding photographers and couples willing to take a chance on someone new. With countless photo sessions and 150 weddings under my belt, I finally made the transition to a full-time photographer in late 2017.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
So far so good! Word of mouth is a wonderful thing and I have some truly amazing clients that have supported me since the very beginning! However, running a business is a completely different world that I wasn’t prepared for.
There’s quite a bit going on behind the scenes and I’m still shocked at the realization that taking pictures is the thing I would be doing the least! I also started this business, while still working a full-time job so the work/life balance struggle was real.
Nicole Defilippis Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in both family and wedding photography. While both are very different, I approach them similarly with a balance of both traditional elements and candid moments.
For a family session, I will definitely take one or two photos of you looking at the camera, but the majority of the session will be focused on capturing all the fun you have together. We can stay at your home or head to your favorite park. I want to preserve the memory of what your family was like on that day, at that time, in those moments.
On the wedding day, I want to tell the story of your day through photos. When I’m behind the camera, I’m not only thinking about what you’ll post on Instagram, but capture all the emotion and fun so your kids will feel like they were there from just looking through your album years down the road. From the moment you put on your dress to the moment you kick off your shoes and dance your face off, I’ll be there capturing the moments in between.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Up until very recently, I thought of success in a traditional way. Having a good job, nice car, etc. However, working toward that definition of success left me pretty miserable. Keeping up with a full-time job while growing a full-time business left me with barely enough time to sleep and even less time to see family and friends. It was all work, every second of the day and we know that ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’
Overworking myself and not getting anyway gave me an opportunity to redefine success. My passion allows me to put a roof over my head in one of the greatest cities in the world. Not to mention meeting all the wonderful people who get in front of my camera and the amazing network of photographers turned friends. I create a product that freezes a moment in time for people to treasure for the rest of their lives. Being able to do that and call it my job is an absolute dream!
Pricing:
- Weddings begin $3500
- Portrait Sessions $395
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nicoledefilippisphotography.com
- Email: nicoledefilippisphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n.d.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleDefilippisPhotography/
Image Credit:
Jill Tiongco
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