Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Yeager.
Hi Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. My very first camera was a little Barbie 110 film camera, and not long after that I got a Nikon Coolpix that went everywhere with me. I photographed everything: my family, pets, vacations, flowers, friends, anything I could point a camera at.
As a kid, I participated in 4 H and entered photography competitions every year, which encouraged my creativity and helped me grow as a photographer. After high school, I attended Grand Rapids Community College, where I earned my Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts and Photography. That’s where I learned not only the technical side of photography, but also how to tell stories through imagery.
I officially started Nicole Yeager Photography in 2018, and it’s grown into something I could have only dreamed about. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of documenting well over 100 weddings throughout Michigan and beyond.
Photography has become such an integrated part of who I am that I can’t imagine life without it. I’ve always been incredibly nostalgic. I love old family albums, vintage photo booths, film strips, disposable cameras, and home videos because they have this incredible ability to transport you back to a moment in time. That’s exactly what I hope to create for my couples. More than beautiful images, I want them to have photographs that preserve the emotion of the day, from the happy tears and laughter to the quiet moments in between, so that years from now they can look back and not just remember what their wedding looked like, but exactly how it felt.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not, lol. I think anyone who owns a small business will tell you it’s a constant learning experience. One day you’re a photographer, the next you’re an accountant, social media manager, marketer, editor, tech support… the list goes on. I even built my own website, which meant learning way more about web design and SEO than I ever expected to.
There have definitely been slower seasons, unexpected challenges, and plenty of moments where I’ve had to figure things out as I went. Looking back, though, every challenge has taught me something, and I think it’s made me a better business owner and photographer.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I photograph weddings because I genuinely love people and the stories they carry. Every wedding is different, and I think that’s what keeps me inspired. No two couples celebrate the same way, and getting to document those relationships and emotions is something I never get tired of.
Over the years, I’ve found myself drawn to a fine art style that’s both timeless and true to life. I want my images to feel elevated without feeling overdone, so they’ll still feel just as beautiful decades from now.
I love creating beautiful portraits, but some of my favorite images are the ones that weren’t planned at all. The happy tears, the deep breaths before walking down the aisle, the grandparents on the dance floor, or a quiet glance between the couple when no one else notices. Those are the moments that become priceless over time.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my couples place in me. Inviting someone into one of the biggest days of your life is a huge responsibility, and I never take that lightly. My goal is to create beautiful photographs without taking my couples out of the experience. I want them to spend their wedding day making memories, not worrying about creating them.
I think what sets me apart is that I care just as much about the people as I do the photographs. If my couples walk away feeling cared for, celebrated, and comfortable enough to be fully themselves, then I know I’ve done my job. I truly believe that’s when the most meaningful photographs are created.
What were you like growing up?
I was always happiest chasing experiences. Whether it was exploring somewhere new with my friends, picking up a creative hobby, or learning a new skill, I loved staying curious. As the oldest daughter, I definitely had an independent and determined personality. If I set my mind to something, I wasn’t giving up until I figured it out.
While I loved chasing new experiences, I was also incredibly sentimental. Even as a kid, I loved looking through old family photo albums, home videos, and anything that told a story about the people I loved. I think that’s where my passion for photography really came from. I wasn’t just interested in taking pictures. I loved the idea that a single photograph could bring you right back to a moment in time.
I’m also really grateful to have parents who valued experiences over things. We traveled together, explored new places, and made memories whenever we could. I think that’s where my appreciation for adventure and trying new experiences began. Looking back, those moments shaped so much of who I am today. They taught me to slow down, be present, and appreciate the people around me, which is something I still carry into every wedding I photograph.
Pricing:
- $5,000 – 8 hour
- $5,800 – 10 hour
- $6,500 – 10 hours with super8mm film
- $7,500 – 10 hours with super8mm film, and free-standing photobooth
- $3,000 – 4 hours for up to 60 guests
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nicoleyeagerphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleyeagerphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleyeagerphotos/
