Meet Nicole Jaramillo | Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Jaramillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance can be tricky when you love your work. You can be pulled to work more and neglect the fundamental needs of being human, like sleep, fuel, and connection with your family. When I first started out, I would take almost any job that was offered. Then, I got some really good advice on setting boundaries in your work. This changed everything. I was given permission and actually admonished to set boundaries for my work, and as I started implementing them my work life balance started to level out.

Now, I am a homeschool mom of 2 and my work life balance revolves around my first priority…my family. Time is the most valuable currency I have and I have to protect it and spend it wisely. I take less clients at higher rate, while providing a full service from start to finish. Clients get the very best of me when I am with them, and my family get priority when I am home. I still need to come back to center every once in a while; but, setting up the boundaries ensures that I can come back to a foundation already set if I fall off course.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am incredibly proud of work in genuine connection and expression! I feel like there is this idea that candid photography means there is not direction from the photographer, but THERE IS! Yes, some moments are just more organic. A good photographer will help these moments come out.

For portrait work, everything is expression and connection. Whether it be the connection between the subject and camera or your subjects connection to each-other (couples or families). Creating a moment that feels real relies on direction. Let’s face it, most people feel very uncomfortable in front of the camera, and honestly sometime the people that feel the most comfortable, come off the most fake. I have learned how to speak to my clients so they feel confident and in the moment.

This is an on going project because there is always more improving to do, but my favorite mentors have been Sue Bryce and Elena S. Blaire. They are 2 very different in style; but, their images both evoke real genuine expression and connection.

My absolute favorite thing to capture is a REAL LAUGH! It is almost like you can feel it even though you are not there to hear it. The funny thing about real laughs is that they don’t always look pretty! They are sometimes very unflattering! But, a big mouthed, bright eyed, vein popping laugh, is the most natural you can get, and the visual of pure joy. I love it so much. My goal is to get 1 photo of each of my family members like this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay so if my best friend was visiting for a week I would spoil them with all my favorite places, starting with authentic Mexican food! In Coachella, there is a Taco Shop that has been around for 40 years called Jaliscos! We would go there first followed up by desert at the Panaderia across the street. We could then take a trip across town to the beautiful Oasis of Thousand palms road at the Coachella Valley preserve. We could finish off our day at Eureka in Indian Wells for drinks and dinner!

Over the following days I would take them to my favorite thrifting spots including Misty’s in Rancho Mirage! You will find the most unique consignment items there!

If we had time I would take them an hour from the valley to Idyllwild where we could explore handmade jobs in the pines. I wouldn’t forget to hit up Mama’s Egg House!

We could end the week at one of my favorite spas, Hyatt Aqua Serena in Indian Wells. Then we could spend the rest of day at the pool relaxing enjoy that Cali sun!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My faith has kept me grounded. I look at success in the metric of happiness, Am I Happy? I might not have the best of the best materially, but I do spiritually. My family and friends all benefit from me implementing Bible principles daily. It even has advice on how to ethically run a business. The principles that guide my thoughts and actions are timeless and my success in life, my happiness is a result of them.

Website: www.nicolejaramillophotography.com

Instagram: Nicole_jaramillo-photo

Linkedin: Nicole Jaramillo

Other: Pinterest: @nicolejaramillo_portraits