Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Pelissier Mulstay.
Nicole, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story goes back quite a few years.
When I was 8 years, old my grandfather gave me my very first camera. Photography was his hobby, and I told him that I wanted to be a photographer just like him when I grew up. I was fascinated by the old photos of my grandmother that he had. I remember wondering if he would remember what she had looked like all those years ago if he didn’t have those photos.
The camera my grandfather gave to me was an old Nikon film camera which I didn’t totally understand at 8 years old. I knew I liked using my parents point and shoot cameras, but this one was about 20 years older, with so many buttons, and seemed so confusing.
It wasn’t until my grandfather passed away that I finally started using that camera.
I taught myself how to use the film camera my grandfather had given me, and eventually convinced my parents to let me get a digital SLR camera my freshman year in high school. I drove myself to learn everything I could, taking my camera everywhere I went and capturing every moment I could.
My junior year in high school, I had my Senior Portraits taken by the renowned Nancy Green. When I told her that I wanted to do exactly what she does when I grew up, she hired me on the spot. I assisted her with photoshoots and weddings, soaking up all of the expertise she was willing to share. I have never learned more from a person in my life, and her lessons completely shaped who I am as a photographer today.
I went on to assist, and second shoot for, some of Boston’s finest photographers over the years. While I have always been comfortable with portrait photography on my own, it wasn’t until I had almost 6 years of experience with weddings that I finally took the leap into shootings weddings on my own.
13 years after I first decided that I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up, and I am finally living my dream.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think there are always challenges in anything you want as badly as I wanted to be a successful photographer.
My biggest challenge was working full time to support myself while simultaneously running my business to make it a success. It’s not easy to pay your mortgage while you’re starting a business that requires thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment! Until recently, I had to work 40+ hours to pay the bills on top of the 40+ hours it took to run my business.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! I’m happy to say that as of this year, I am officially running my dream business full time.
Nicole Pelissier Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Although I specialize in wedding photography, I also love to shoot portraits! I offer everything, including:
– Wedding Photography
– Destination Wedding Photography
– Elopement Photography
– Engagement Portraits
– Maternity Portraits
– Family Portraits
– Newborn Portraits
– Lifestyle Portraits
– Boudoir Portraits
– Headshots
My business isn’t the typical “smile, say cheese” photography business most people would expect. My style is very candid, and instead of just taking portraits, I like to capture moments in time.
For instance, during engagement shoots, I don’t put my couples in awkward poses and tell them to smile for the camera. Instead, I ask my couples to hold hands and walk together, look at each other and tell each other stories. I might have them say something silly to each other like “you have spinach in your teeth” to get those really genuine smiles and laughs that come from their bellies.
My first time clients are usually nervous to have their photos taken, but by the end of our photoshoot they are always laughing and say they had a blast. We’ve just created memories together, and I’ve captured those memories, and the love they share, for them to remember for years to come.
I feel that capturing genuine, emotional moments in time is most beautiful thing anyone could ever photograph, and I think what sets me apart from most photographers. Knowing that those moments aren’t just lost in time, but preserved for years to come in my photographs, is the reason that I am so passionate about what I do.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I know everyone defines success in different ways, but for me, success is when I’ve made someone else happy.
The first time I really felt successful was after one of the first weddings that I shot completely on my own. I remember this bride calling me on the phone crying with happiness the day after I had delivered her wedding photos to her. She told me that she couldn’t stop looking at the photos and said “I will cherish every single one of these photos for as long as I live”. That, to me, meant that I had met my goal of making her happy.
Every time I receive a thank you note, a review, or even just a text from a client, telling me how much they appreciate the memories I’ve captured for them, it makes me remember why I do what I do. Working in the wedding industry isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Pricing:
- Local Weddings: $2900 – $6000
- Destination Weddings: $4000+
- Elopements: $800+
- Maternity, Engagement & Family Portraits: $400 – $600
- Newborn Portraits: $600 – $700
Contact Info:
- Website: nicolephotography.net
- Phone: 508-942-4806
- Email: nicole@nicolephotography.net
- Instagram: nicolepphoto
- Facebook: Facebook.com/NicolePPhoto
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
