Introducing Summerana Instructor Nicole DeHoff of Nicole DeHoff Photography.
If we asked your family who is Nicole DeHoff, what would they say?
They’d probably say I’m a little crazy, haha! They would say that I am an amazing mother to five small kids, a great wife and a very talented photographer. My dad tells me that I always “blow him a way” with my strength and not many could do what I do – between my home and business.
How did your storytelling journey begin?
I actually started with weddings, but retired from weddings shortly after my oldest two children were born. I fully switched to motherhood portraiture when my oldest was born.
What inspires you to create?
My kids. Time is such a thief and I would give anything to go back to being pregnant and the newborn stage. I love photographing pregnant women. The body is amazing and being able to showcase it in unique ways is such an art.
If you could give new artists any advice about photography, editing or even just the business side of the industry; what would it be?
Never stop educating yourself because photography is always changing. You are your own unique brand. Don’t bother worrying about what other photographers are doing, and don’t compare yourself!
Tell us what’s inside your camera bag.
I have a Canon Mark III & a Canon R5. My favorite lenses are my 35mm, 135mm & 100mm macro.
If you had an unlimited budget and you could go anywhere in the world, what would your dream session look like?
I have such a long list of places I want to visit. I would love to photograph a beautiful pregnant mom against the mountains in Banff National Park in Alberta or even Lake Como in Italy. The list goes on and on, but I’ll start with those two.
What’s the hardest thing you had to overcome that made you the person you are today?
I have been through a lot in my short 30 years. I think everything has impacted me differently, some more than others and some that I could never get myself to share. I’ve struggled with fertility problems and always felt so defeated that I couldn’t do what a woman was designed to do. We were blessed with five beautiful children, but we do have 6 angel babies and I will forever wonder who they would have been.
How do you prepare for a session?
I go to my studio the night before, stare at everything I have & hope something jumps out at me. Sometimes I’m scrolling crafting sites and something jumps out at me that I think would be unique for a session & I design based on that.
If you could have dinner with one artist that has impacted your photography today, who would it be and why?
Amy Scott (Dew Drops Photography). I love Amy & would consider her a dear friend. She has incredible talent and is an amazing mentor. I don’t think I would be where I am today if I hadn’t met her.
Tell us some wise words you live by.
Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself. Be tough, Be ambitious and know exactly what you want.
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This article was featured in Summerana Magazine | May 2022
You can find her work and much more inside the Summerana Academy!