Meet Nicole Berndt | Photographer & Storyteller

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

Hi Nicole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I never thought I would have my own business. I’m originally from Germany and it can be difficult to start your own business over there due to all the paperwork. But coming to the States, I quickly realized that I wanted to be my own boss because I love the freedom of managing my own time and planning my day around doing things I enjoy the most. I’ve always been a creative person, so I knew right away that I wanted to do something that would challenge me creatively. Therefore, it was an easy decision to start my own photography business. I love that I get to meet lots of different people during our sessions and I appreciate their trust in me and my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m a photographer and I would describe my style as authentic, emotive, real. Capturing people’s emotions and connections is the main focus of my work. I love to get really close to capture those small moments: an intimate look, a loving smile, a gentle touch as well as the goofy laughs and tickle fights. Authenticity is of utmost importance to me in my work. I want your images to look and feel like you. In today’s world, where everyone has a phone with a great camera, we all can take a nice, posed image. But I think it takes a special eye to really capture genuine emotions and connections between people. And that’s what I do. I start my creative process by coming up with a personal concept for each of my sessions to ensure we really capture your authentic selves and your special connections in an authentic way. In order to do that, I always want to make sure that my clients feel absolutely comfortable and safe in front of my camera to be able to be themselves. I like to play games and work with prompts to evoke genuine emotions and reactions. Because at the end of the day, I want my clients to have a fun and unforgettable experience.

I’m really excited about my new project called “A Breath of Bare”. This project is centered around female sensuality. It’s all about women, their connection to themselves, their emotions, their sensuality, their bodies. I would like to use this project to capture truly artistic images. I want to play with different perspectives, set ups and try out some new techniques to push my creative boundaries. And I want to dip my toes into film as well. So I’m really excited and ready to get this project started.

Two years ago, I worked on another project titled “She’s a Wildflower”. This was a very special project which involved 17 stunning ladies who were brave enough to step in front of my camera to emotionally and mentally strip down for me. I had asked them to meet me without wearing any make-up or getting their hair done – I wanted to capture their natural beauty in a raw and emotional way. When I started this project, I wasn’t quite sure where this project would take me but I’m so proud of what we were able to create. I still love looking at these images of these incredible women and I’m so proud of them for allowing me to see them for who they are. So, if you’re curious and want to learn more about this project, head over to my website.

One of the biggest challenges I have to face is breaking out of my comfort zone. Of course, it feels nice and comfortable to stick to a process that has worked for you for a while. It makes your workflow run easy and smooth but it’s also boring after a while. Each of my clients deserves a unique experience, so I try find new ways to approach my sessions and push myself creatively. Because we all know that we need to step out of our comfort zone in order to achieve something great, something new. And inspiration is key. I like to find inspiration in other people’s work and other forms of art. I take photography courses to learn new techniques. Or sometimes, all it takes is a walk in nature or a day in the city to find new locations that keep the creative juices flowing.

What should the world know about me? Well, I’m a German girl, born and raised, who has been living in Texas for the last 6 years. I have two adorable rescue puppies named Lulu and Austin. And I’m a passionate photographer and storyteller. I mainly work with couples, families and offer individual portraits for women as well.

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.
I like to start the day with some delicious chocolate croissants from Common Bond before thrift store shopping through Montrose. And since you’re in the area, I would suggest to go for a walk around Buffalo Bayou Park, one of my favorite spots in Houston. It’s a great park for a picnic while enjoying stunning views of the Houston skyline and watching people play various sports. And if you want to watch bats fly, stay until sunset and join the crowds under Waugh Drive bridge.

If you’ve never been in Houston, then a trip to NASA is a must. I often describe it as a big playground for kids and adults. I’ve taken so many friends and family members to NASA over the last years that I’m able to give you guided tours now… hahaha. But no matter how many times you’ve been there, there’s always something new to explore and play with.

If you’re visiting during the summer, I highly recommend enjoying the nice summer nights seeing a concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion or enjoying one of the many performances and shows offered by The Miller Outdoor Theater.

I’m a beach person, so I always take my friends and family to Galveston. Now I know, some of you might say that Galveston is not a real beach but have you ever driven out into the more residential areas and explored the beaches over there? If not, do that next time. At the end of the day, I like to stroll around Galveston and enjoy some yummy ice cream from La King’s Confectionery.

Houston has many cool museums. Lots of them offer free general admission on Thursdays so definitely plan on taking advantage of that. And since you’re already in the area, I recommend going for a walk around Rice city to enjoy the beautiful big oak trees or check out Hermann Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely couldn’t be where I am right now without all the people who have been supporting me and allowing me to practice on them from day one. My husband probably deserves the biggest thank you because he’s been my greatest cheerleader and admirer of my work. Each like, each positive comment, and each photo shared always mean the world to me because I’m aware that there are plenty of other amazing photographers out there. So without the love and support of my tribe, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now. So thank you to each and every one of you.

Website: https://nicoleberndtphotos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleberndtphotos/

Other: Email: nicoleberndtphotos@gmail.com “She’s a Wildflower” Project: https://nicoleberndtphotos.com/shes-a-wildflower/