meet Nicole

Welcome to the online home of Nicole Adele Photography! I could not be happier that you're here.

Ever since I can remember I have always loved the camera…however, in my younger years I always tried to be in front of it instead of behind it.  Nowadays you have to convince me to get on the other side of the camera!

It was not until I had a family of my own that I realized the true importance of photography. Photography is about more than just hiring someone to take pictures. Photography is about carefully capturing the moments of one's life in a way that beautifully tells each story and relationship.

I know how amazing this life can be and the importance of savoring and remembering the joyful times along the way. This belief has led me to strive to create an incredible experience for each of my clients, while capturing photos in a natural way that doesn’t feel staged.

I am blessed to navigate this world with my best friend (my amazing husband Jason) and our two sweet little girls, Olivia & Ava! When I'm not behind my camera you can usually find me in leggings and an oversized t-shirt, while chasing after my two crazy little ones or binge watching Netflix with my love and a big bowl of popcorn! Enough about me...I am thrilled you found me, and am so excited to learn about YOU!

MY FAMILY

My husband is truly my rock; he is there for me through thick & thin, always makes me feel loved & supported, and makes me smile like no one else can! My girls are my heart and soul; they bring such energy, joy, craziness and adventure to every day. 

Workout...clothes! 

I don’t think I will ever say the phrase "I love running"... but I do love the feeling after a great workout. Even more I love workout apparel…I love putting on a new pair of running shoes and believe that it truly helps make me more motivated to begin a workout!    

Soda...Coke Zero to be exact! 

Truth be told, I LOVE Coke Zero!  I have left a Chick-fil-a drive through before just because they ran out of coke zero...(and if you know anything about Chick-fil-a you know I waited at least 15 minutes just to find this information out). Lets just say that I am completely devastated that they are replacing the coke zero recipe with the new "Coke Zero Sugar"...and have began stockpiling all the Coke Zero I can find!       

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things that bring ME

joy

my 3 sentence love story

ON 09.24.04, WE HAD A CONVERSATION AT A RANDOM FALL BONFIRE THAT ENDED WITH ME CALLING JAY THE NEXT MORNING JUST TO SAY HELLO! (WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER EVER SINCE)

WE BECAME BEST FRIENDS AND FELL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WHILE WE NAVIGATED BECOMING ADULTS, STARTING CAREERS, AND BUYING OUR FIRST OF MANY HOUSES TOGETHER.

 ON 08.25.07, JAY ASKED NICOLE TO BE HIS FOREVER, AND FOREVER BEGAN ON  03.11.08; NOW, WE'RE STILL BEST FRIENDS WHO GET TO LAUGH,  LOVE, AND DO LIFE TOGETHER AS HUSBAND & WIFE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

Meeting My love

When I was 20 years old, I met Jason at a random bonfire neither of us planned to attend. I just couldn't resist talking to this handsome blue-eyed guy from Chicago. He loves to tell the story of how we met since it involves me chasing after him! I'll never live that down! But I don't mind because it was the best decision I ever made! Click "NEXT" to learn more about me and my story! 

(Yup, I'm a natural brunette...shhhh don't tell!)

Will you marry me?

I should have known I was about to become engaged because Jason planned a beautiful weekend for us in the Blue Ridge mountains…he is not one to plan vacations. However, I was clueless. We went on our trip and took a hike down Lace Falls. We were going down and down the mountain when we passed a little waterfall…really…we hiked this far for that!? Little did I know the whole hike Jay was stressing about making sure the ring did not fall out of his pocket. We pressed on and finally made it down to the breathtaking Lace Falls! When I turned around from admiring its beauty, Jay was on one knee asking me to be his forever and always! Needless to say, I did not complain about hiking back up the mountain!!!

i do!

On March 11th, 2008, Jason and I officially became husband and wife! We said I Do in a private ceremony on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.
We loved our island get away…and the only think I would have done differently would have been to hire a true professional photographer since this image is one of the very few I have from my wedding day…sound like I need to arrange an anniversary session for myself!

photography

You're probably wondering when my business comes into my story. I was working a full-time office management job, going to school full time to be a teacher, cooking a baby in my belly, and I still had too much time for myself. Photography has always been a hobby of mine, so I decided to take it one step further by attending workshops, and then doing shoots for friends and families on the weekends. I never intended for it to be more than just something I would do for fun every now and then. But once I got started, I was totally hooked! 

our first baby!

Olivia Adele
After many months of trying, many doctors, and much heart ache we brought our first daughter into the world on February 23, 2013! Pure joy is all that there is to be said about the feeling I had when I first held my baby girl…infertility is no joke but she was well worth the wait!

our second baby!

Ava Grace
When Olivia was just 20 months old our second little blessing made her arrival…baby Ava! She rocked our world…unlike Olivia’s story…Ava was a total surprise. In fact, we had no idea she was even in the picture until I was 10 weeks along! Talk about shocked…we call her our bonus baby! Close in age they may be, but their personalities couldn't be more different! Olivia is laid back and a total princess, Ava is feisty and so far seems to be more of a tom boy! But these girls are definitely siblings- they fight over toys, compete for mom and dad's attention, but are thick as thieves…mess with one you get the other (as it should be).

a passion ignites

After I was back on my feet, I picked up my camera and felt a new desire to make my little business something wonderful. I was set on becoming a newborn photographer…after all I was surrounded by babies at this stage in my life. Photographing weddings was never something that was on my radar, but I figured I would give it a try! After my first wedding, I felt a passion ignite and I knew this was something I needed to pursue. I didn't know yet that this was meant to be my career, but that came soon enough.

live laugh learn

Over the next few years I learned so much…I learned new techniques in photography as well as the ins-and-outs of the business from several leading photographers in my area; such as Katelyn James & Hope Taylor. When I was not shooting weddings and sessions I would second shoot for photographers in my area to gain different perspectives and learn from each encounter. Needless to say,…life was busy but soooo exciting! I am blessed to have had such amazing opportunities, and to have made such great friendships with other wedding professionals!

taking the leap

After years of shooting weddings and sessions on the weekends, working full time during the week, and taking care of my babies every moment I was home, I knew something had to change. It became clear to me that my passion was in photography and that I couldn't keep living this double life between two full time jobs. So, I kicked it into high gear and started on a path to going full time with my business. Then in September of 2016, I was finally able to leave my corporate job behind and pursue my true passion full time! I can't even tell you how it felt to reach a goal that I had been going after for so long! It's still so surreal that this dream of mine has turned into a reality! 

feeling blessed

And that brings us to where we are today! If you made it this far, then you are a champ! I pinch myself every day that have been able to get to where we are today. Jason building beautiful homes for people all over Richmond, me photographing weddings and portrait sessions for the most amazing couples, seniors, and families, and able to snuggle our sweet girls in between! We are truly blessed and we try to never forget that! Now that you've heard my story, I'd love to hear yours! 

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