Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Enjoli.
Hi Nicole , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was that kid in the 90s always carrying a film camera—snapping photos of my friends, dropping off rolls of film, and eagerly waiting to pick them up once developed. My love for photography started early, and I followed that passion by taking photo classes in high school, then continuing on to study film photography at Rio Hondo and Cal State Fullerton. Later, I taught myself how to use a digital DSLR and learned Photoshop, diving into the digital side of photography on my own.
The turning point came when I got married and hired my own wedding photographer. Something clicked—I realized, I could do this. At the time, I was working as a jewelry designer in Burbank and still pursuing photography as a hobby. When I became pregnant with my second child, I made the decision to stay home with my babies and pour myself into learning photography and building a business. I knew I was happiest when I was being creative and working for myself. More importantly, I wanted the flexibility to be present in my children’s daily lives—and photography gave me exactly that.
In the early days, I second-shot weddings and took on a few of my own, but everything changed when I tried to photograph my newborn in 2011—and failed miserably. That experience lit a fire in me. I realized newborn photography was something that matched my energy more than weddings and I wanted to master it. I hired a professional for my second baby, and in the meantime, started photographing friends’ babies for free to gain experience—and I fell in love with it.
Today, many of those babies I photographed in the beginning are turning 12 and 13! I started my business from home, which worked beautifully for years—until the pandemic. With my kids learning virtually and everything shifting, it was the right time to take the leap and expand to my own studio.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning, working from home with small children was definitely a challenge. Having a dedicated studio space now is incredible, and honestly, I’d have a hard time going back to a home setup. I truly love the creative side of what I do, but I’ve had to be intentional about staying on top of the business side—there are a lot of moving parts when running a small business, and it requires wearing many hats. Above all, my top priority is ensuring that every client has a positive experience. Based on the feedback I receive, the number of returning clients, referrals, and reviews, I can confidently say I’ve created a business that consistently delivers on that promise.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily specialize in Maternity and Newborn photography, though I also offer Milestone sessions and Family portraits. While I enjoy every aspect of what I do, my Maternity and Newborn work is truly the heart of my business. It’s what I’m most known for and where I feel my creative voice is strongest. I am a woman and a mother, so I know what they are experiencing and it is such a special time that is gone in a flash. I love to give expectant mothers or mothers of newborn babies an amazing experience and images they will be able to keep forever. The days are long and the nights are brutal so it is nice to capture these life moments that can be hard to remember. Sometimes parents are so comfortable they fall asleep and I am able to give them a little break, sometimes they are so thankful for advice or tips I share. Sometimes they are able to stop and be present and really take in the moment and they get emotional. I love that they leave my studio feeling better than before they got there.
What I’m most proud of, though, goes beyond the images themselves. I am proud that I am able to be fully available and fully present as a mother and I get to do work that inspires me creatively. Creating that balance—doing what I love while giving my children the life I envisioned for them—is my biggest accomplishment.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Finding that balance between motherhood and meaningful work is the true measure of success in my eyes. I’ve always been passionate about documenting my own life, so it felt only natural to turn that passion into a career by capturing meaningful moments for others. My most important role, though, is being a mom—and every mom knows that’s a big job. I wanted my kids to grow up with the comfort of knowing, my mom is always here for me. At the same time, I wanted them to see that their mom loves her work, that it brings her joy. By pursuing my passion and building a life around it, I get to show my children that they can do the same—that with hard work, determination, and support, they can turn what they love into a fulfilling career. I’m constantly learning and evolving—both as a professional and a parent. And in the end, my greatest hope is to raise kind, confident, purpose-driven people. If I can do that, then I’ve succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicolenjoliphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolenjoli_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicolenjoliPhotography
- LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/NicolenjoliPhotography?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=48a112d7-d876-4f15-81ce-e3516ad08cf1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleEnjoliphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nicolenjoli-photography-brea?osq=Newborn+Photography&override_cta=Get+pricing
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/HZ8mDTr
Image Credits
Nicolenjoli Photography
