Albuquerque Photographer
About Nicole
Hey there, and a warm welcome to my online space! I'm a photographer based in Albuquerque, and I'm thrilled to have you here. Feel free to settle in with your favorite drink (I'm a herbal tea enthusiast myself) and make yourself comfy.
Let me give you a sneak peek into my journey. My partner in crime, Justin, and I share quite the story. We met back in middle school, and while our love story didn't kick off right away (we were just kids at the time!), we built an awesome friendship that lasted through high school. Even though we didn't exactly start as high school sweethearts, we did graduate side by side. While I headed off to college in Durango, Colorado, Justin took on the role of caring for his grandpa, who was battling Alzheimer's. Fast forward three years after graduation, and a random email from Justin got us back in touch. We met up soon after, and the rest is history – we've been inseparable ever since.
In our crazy journey, Justin and I became the proud parents of three energetic boys: thirteen-year-old Christopher, ten-year-old Joshua, and six-year-old Andrew. They keep me on my toes, and I love that they've all inherited my passion for reading. We can spend hours getting lost in a good book.
Now, let's talk photography. There's nothing quite like creating timeless albums for my amazing clients. I've got a soft spot for wedding albums – mine is a prized possession – and I want to give you that same feeling of joy. And don't get me started on making personalized galleries for your home. Those are like albums for your walls – a close second to the real deal.
But beyond photography, my goal is to treat my clients like friends. I want you to know who I am, and I want to know you too. Imagine if you actually swung by our place – you'd be welcomed without a knock, shoes would come off at the door, and you'd be raiding our fridge in no time. It's the vibe we've got going with family and friends, and I'm extending it to you.
Thanks for dropping by, and I can't wait to connect more!
My Photography journey
Albuquerque Photographer
Nicole Bradshaw Photography started on June 6th, 2014. But the story really goes way back. Let me tell you about how my photography journey unfolded.
The Early Years
I've been passionate about capturing beautiful images since I was a child. My mom gave me my first camera when I was just 5 years old, a small 110 film camera. She still has it tucked away somewhere. I went through so many rolls of film, all developed at her encouragement.
As I got older, I upgraded to a 35mm film camera with automatic advancement. I remember a funny moment at the Albuquerque Zoo when I was changing film right by the Raptor Roost, all in my effort to get a great shot of Bald Eagles. Waiting to see the developed photos from Walgreens was always an exciting time, to see how my shots turned out.
In eighth grade, I used my graduation money to buy one of Kodak's Advantix cameras. I was fascinated by its ability to take panoramic photos. I took that camera with me on a road trip to Grand Teton National Park with my grandparents. The mountains were breathtaking, but I felt a mixture of awe and frustration, wanting to capture the 'perfect' photo and not quite knowing how.
Experimenting with Digital Photography
The first digital camera my family got was a Hewlett Packard, a modest 2-megapixel device. I was eighteen then and managed to convince my parents to let me take it to the Girl Scout camp in Minnesota, where I was working as a lifeguard. It was a fun challenge trying to capture the best shots during that time.
However, my enthusiasm shifted when I purchased my own digital camera later that summer. I spent the remaining days mastering its use. I grew quite adept, or at least I believed so, until an unfortunate canoeing incident in 2007 resulted in the loss of my camera. Thankfully, my mom generously replaced it and sent me a new one at camp. Despite her kindness, my relationship with that camera was rather strained. In fact, we didn't quite see eye to eye, leading me to largely put photography aside after that summer.
The Beginning of Business
In 2014, I managed to save up and buy the digital camera I had always wanted. That's when things really started to click. I put in the effort to learn how to use it, practicing over and over again. I read books, took online courses, and just kept practicing. With time, I got better at taking the kind of photos I aimed for. Before I knew it, my camera hobby had turned into a full-fledged business.