Conversations with Nicholas Nunes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Nunes

Hi Nicholas, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started shooting back in the summer 2013. I got an internship at Power 106 radio station in LA as a production assistant for Jeff Garcia and ended up becoming Big Boys neighborhoods assistant producer. One day I tagged along to the Nickelodeon kids choice awards and they had asked me to take photos with the radio stations camera and I fell in love I then began photographing concerts at the station. Radio was dying out at the time and Big Boy had left to another radio station and my job was on the line. Being only 18 years old with no college degree I was devastated and felt like my world was over . I then decided to purchase my 1st camera , the canon. t3i rebel series . I remember taking photos 7 days a week all over Southern California. I would drive anywhere to get my portfolio started. I then began to work with people and would pay them to let me shoot with them. I started to get better at my craft and eventually started charging $20 to $30 to local Facebook group members and eventually gained some traction. I started to specialize in family photography and weddings. In 2018 I ended up announcing my popular Christmas mini sessions and booked 200 sessions in one day and that is when I realized that I could do this full time and I have finally made it in my industry and it never stopped. To this day I sell out everything I announce and I keep my pricing affordable so all families can work with me. I now have a corporation with a full time drone operator and videographer. Most of my business is Referall based and I couldn’t be happier. I owe my success to God, my family and all of my clients . Without them this dream would be nothing but.a dream. I value my clients over the money and appreciate capturing the memories more than anything. I believe loving what you do and wanting to help others is what will truly make you stand out.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Photography has not been a smooth road, I often thought about quitting because it can be emotionally draining trying to entertain your clients, book them on your own and constantly create amazing work. Photography is a oversaturated market especially in Los Angeles and you will be easily replaced if you mess up or don’t stay relevant . The money can be great and it can be bad. There is no guaranteed paycheck in photography , if you don’t shoot you don’t get paid. Learning what clients like to book makes your job easier overtime. If you start when your older and already have kids it can be hard to stay in this field because the price of equipment , editing software, gas and time is just so high that over 96% of people fail their first year. Having a great strategy for marketing and great clients can really help your journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the CEO of Sharp Shutter Photo but I do business as nunesvisuals. I am a professional photographer specializing in family photography , weddings and quince’s. I am most known for my family photography . I am most proud of my diverse catalog of work with clients from all over the world . I am proud of all the memories I have created for families who may have lost loved ones or no longer see one another. My photographs will last forever for them. I believe my personality and character sets me apart from others. My ability to make others comfortable has really helped me book more clients.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see photography being harder in the next 5 to 10 years. With so much AI out now and days people are becoming their own photographer and don’t want to spend money. Many people also have higher expectations making it harder on photographers to meet their expectations.

Pricing:

• $200 for 30 minute photo shoot
• $350 for 1 hour photo shoot
• $500 for 90 minute photo shoot

Contact Info:

• Instagram: nunesvisuals

Image Credits
@nunesvisuals