Alright, I’ve been thinking about this post long enough and it’s finally time to share 10 things you may not know about me! I know a lot of my family and friends follow me here and so I might have to get kind of creative on some of these, but here we go!

10 Things you May Not Know About Me

Prior to starting my photography business, I was a high school special education teacher! That’s right! I used to be a teacher and still have so, so much respect for those still in the teaching field. I made the difficult decision to leave teaching once I had a little girl and started to build my photography business shortly after she was born- our family needed something more flexible than the hard, long hours teachers put in! Getting a Master’s of Special Education and completing 2 years of the rigorous program Teach for America are some of my greatest achievements. I truly enjoyed the time I spent in the classroom and love and miss my students all so dearly.

I lived in Asia for a combined 2 years. While completing my undergraduate I needed to fulfill an internship credit and looked for a program that would take me some place internationally. I ended up applying for a program for early childhood teachers in Mainland China and accepted the position. I was 20 years old and crazy 😂 I lived by myself in country across the world and did not speak one little bit of Chinese. I was able to teach and live in the city of Zhaoqing for 6 months and this experience truly opened my eyes so much. While I’m not sure if I’d ever let my daughter do the same I am grateful for the people I met and also the courage I garnered moving so far from home all alone!

I returned home from China and about a year later left to serve a mission for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cebu, Philippines. This time I was able to learn the language (Cebuano) before heading over as well as had a companion the whole time 😅 The Filipino people are some of the most genuine, kind, joyful souls I’ve ever met. I had lots of interesting experiences (like getting lice and not having running water for days on end 😳) but these experiences stretched and grew me more than anything could have back home. There were some simply amazing landscapes on the three islands I lived on: Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Bohol. I am thankful for all I learned during those 18 months!

I have an allergy to the cold. Yes, you read that right. The correct term for this allergy is “cold urticaria” (look it up) and while I feel like the allergy is lessening the older I get, it got really bad when I was a teenager and my early 20s. Guess I made a good decision to move to Arizona!

I never ever thought I would be an entrepreneur. While I always had an interest in photography I never had any plans to ever start my own business or to develop my photography skills at a deeper level. To be honest, I like the idea of a secure income and safe environment of having someone else pay you–but this path has turned out to be pretty amazing.

I met my husband on Facebook. Haha, this one just makes me laugh. We met back in 2015 when he was being set up with another girl (who was an acquaintance of mine) and saw my profile picture in her “Friends” area. He chatted with that girl for 5 minutes and decided to message her Facebook friend instead 😂 I’ll have to share more of our story later because it’s so good.

I started playing the violin at age 3. And now that I have a daughter who is 2 I think about how my mom was the bravest woman to sign me up for lessons! I did beg her, though, so I can’t blame her! I had sat through so many of my older brother and sister’s lessons and just couldn’t wait for my turn. I picked up the viola around the age of 9/10 and that became my main instrument. I even had a full-ride scholarship to college for music. It was such a huge part of my life for so long and I miss having the extra time to play but treasure the time I do get to play every once in a while!

I am an introverted extrovert. I think this may be hard for some people in my life to believe but while I do need people I also need my alone time! Anyone else like this?

I love to Zumba. If there was one kind of exercise I could to the rest of my life, it’s Zumba. And no, Zumba isn’t just for the grandmas! I discovered Zumba over 10 years and have loved the pumping music, easy to follow dance moves, and the energy I get from dancing with other people. I have really been missing my classes during Covid-19 and you’d better believe I’ll be first in line once I feel it’s safe to participate in group exercise classes!

I am claustrophobic. Yeah, you won’t being see me going canyoneering or going into a cave ever. I have so many dreams about getting stuck and it’s absolutely terrifying!

I was voted “Most Likely to Brighten Your Day” in high school. I had some really great friends who rallied together to nominate me for this award and I was so surprised when I won it. I have always tried to be positive and friendly to others and it felt great to know that I had an impact on so many people during my high school years!

Well there ya go, 10 things you. *may* not have known about me! I hope that this post gives you a little more background and information on who I am! I would absolutely love to work with you! Click the “contact” tab to send me an email to book!

xoxo

Nicole