Life Behind a Lens: My Story

From a very young age, I looked at the world through a camera lens. After winning my first camera at age 5 , my passion for the camera began. I can remember back to my first photo shoot with my childhood friend Whitney who I met in Kindergarten. Laughing and giggling, we posed like models as the other took pictures with my little camera. The first of many photo shoots to follow.

Growing up, I kept my camera at my side, taking pictures of things that were beautiful and interesting. While in jr. high, I took my first photography classes with my Uncle Bob who ran the art department for Colusa High School. Learning from my uncle was a wonderful experience because he not only taught me the fundamentals of photography, but to see a picture before I take it. By exposing me to the artistic side of taking pictures, he helped me to develop an eye for taking the everyday and bringing out the art. Anything has the potential to be art, you just have to recognize the possibility.

As I began to experience milestones and memorable moments in my life, photography was more of a hobby before it became my job. I was blessed to capture my life experiences before they came whooshing by. When my first daughter Aubrey was born in 2001, I did my first newborn photo shoot when she was a week old. My mom was my assistant at the time and one of my favorite photographers, Anne Geddes, was my inspiration. The pictures came out beautiful and caught the attention of some of my friends. I started to do photo shoots here and there for fun until it grew into a wonderful full business. 

In 2004, I opened Nicole Roberts Photography with my own home based studio. I became even more inspired to turn my passion for photography into an even bigger business after my wedding photographer, Bill Payne blew me away with his photos of my special day. Just through the pictures, he was able to tell our love story as if it were the sweet pages of a fairy tale book. Every page revealing our love and happiness in that moment. I had never been more determined to make my business work, and it did! 

I purchased my first digital camera when my second daughter, Ashley, was born in 2006. As a working photographer and a mom, I always pushed myself to better my craft. I began attending seminars, trade shows, and classes to always keep my knowledge of photography fresh and my techniques evolving. I strived to find my own style while learning from some of the best photographers locally and online. After my third daughter Abbey was born, I was inspired by her to take chances with my style. I began to be more fearless.  I learned that art has no limits and as a photographer, neither do I! 

Nicole Roberts Photography is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life along with being a wife and mom. I love the example that I am setting for my daughters by showing them to follow their dreams and be fearless. Being a photographer is not about just taking pictures. It’s about what is happening in that very moment. Not only are my clients capturing a special time in their lives, but I get to experience it with them. In one second, we can remember a lifetime.