I was self-taught until after the birth of our second child, and can only explain it as a deep purpose to begin capturing these fleeting days that passed all too quickly with our first. I began my intentional journey by taking courses, mentorships and practicing shooting daily through my 365 project. My passion and purpose have intersected and I discovered the gift of being able to give these memories to you.
Photography has tugged at my heart from a young age. Studying old family photos, setting up photo shoots with my siblings and opening all of the Christmas cards around the holidays were some of my favorite pastimes. I purchased my first DSLR camera in 2015, shortly after our wedding with the intention of growing my craft to capture beautiful images of our children to come.
so glad you are here! I'm NICOLE,
About Nicole
Photographer, mother and seeker of beautiful moments all over Northern California
Sacramento PORTRAIT Photographer
- MARICELA V.
"Her portfolio was amazing and I knew my family would connect with her. The booking process, final images and session experience were all a 10/10!"
"No words could describe how satisfied we were with the process and outcome!"
Family images taken by Jon & Jess Studios and Becca Cuellar Photography
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I have been conducting therapy with children and youth locally for the past 10+ years. This experience gives me a unique perspective in engaging with families and children. I strive for the same things one would in therapy: connection, authenticity, genuine emotions and showing you how beautiful you are from the inside out.
prior to picking up a camera, i spent my days as a therapist
...but our paths didn't officially cross until after we both moved back to the area following college. We have deep roots in the Central Valley and what we value most is our quality of life. We love being a drive away from the mountains, the bay area, and some of the best wine tasting around. We wouldn't trade where we live for anything, because there's no place closer to the people we love most.
MY HUSBAND AND I ATTENDED THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL IN LODI
Having our children was a game-changer for me. I often remark that they took my emotions and stretched them. I never knew the depths of love, joy, or happiness (let's not forget anxiety and exhaustion!) until I held them in my arms. A beautiful mess of emotions. They are also the reason I love photography. Capturing them has made meaning of these early years, as I know time is the ultimate thief and babies don't keep.
my tHREE CHILDREN are my "WHY"
I have a younger sister, who is truly the most magical person on this earth, and three younger brothers who make me smile just thinking about them. I also have no idea how my parents stayed sane. We were raised in the country, and I couldn't wait to leave. Now, my son could spend every waking minute outdoors and I am highly contemplating packing up our family and finding a home with a little land and a lot of dirt.
i am the oldest of five children
We love traveling and seeing new places, eating delicious food, learning new things and soaking up different cultures. If I could live in another country for the rest of my life, I would choose Italy. The food, the wine, the people, the sights, the history...I could go on and on. My bucket list includes: Thailand, Belize, Croatia, Greece and Kauai. Please share your next destination with me so I can live vicariously through you!
traveling makes my heart happy
My biggest goal for each session is to shoot what I feel, not what I see. This results in images that truly capture the emotions, connections and small details you want to hold onto forever. I want you to look back on these images and travel back in time - remembering the way your baby smelled, the sound of your son's laugh or your daughter's toothy grin. The real magic is in those photos that showcase what makes your family special and I would be honored to freeze those memories for you.
I value the moments that are real and raw. The moments that you cannot imagine not being able to relive, and that's why I'm here. So that you can relive those days, over and over.
My Philosophy
NICOLE HODGSON PHOTOGRAPHY © 2024
STOCKTON, ca bASED LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER
NEWBORN | MATERNITY | FAMILY
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