Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Skilliter.
Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child, I was always obsessed with photographs. After losing my grandparents at a young age, I knew the importance of photos and how I could see bits and pieces of their lives. I began photography my freshman year of high school when I took an elective in film photography and photoshop. Since that class, I began photographing my friends and family at any chance I could get and bringing my camera everywhere I could. As I grew older, I was able to recognize the importance of freezing those moments in time and how special they can be for others as well. Once I reached college, I was given so many wonderful opportunities and met amazing people where I was able to share my passion with others. I began photographing families, seniors, and couples. And as my senior year approached, I began booking out weekends and weeknights around student teaching and classes I had to finish. I had the incredible opportunity of being mentored by Jenna Greenawalt for a year and have worked with so many other creative photographers for training in weddings and elopements. After graduating, I began my full-time career as an Engineering Data Analyst and am pursuing my Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences. I then decided to create my business name and from it stemmed “Redamancy Press”. Redamancy means “a love returned” or “to return love.” I also decided to add in hand-lettering and calligraphy services for weddings and special occasions. I am almost to the point of going full-time–as I continue to schedule and work with so many wonderful brides and clients for 2022 and 2023. My younger self could have never imagined this growth from my small after-school hobby. I wouldn’t be here without so many supportive friends, family, vendors, and my incredible husband who has supported me from the start. I am always learning and growing through my work–I will never know everything and that’s the beauty of it all. I am so excited for the future and what it may hold.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As a whole, I think it has been a smooth road! Since it currently isn’t my full-time job, I feel like I am able to pour so much into it creatively and learn from all of the opportunities that I take on. While there can be learning curves with technology and other processes, I always have fun finding solutions any new obstacles in my way and my background in teaching has always supported me in a growth mindset.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in portrait photography and hand-lettering for special events. I decided to combine two of my passions in my business to share with the world around me. I love working with people and find that photos are one thing that we can all share and find emotions within them. When it comes to photography, I believe that photos are meant to be hung on your walls and held close to your heart. They are meant to be shared and your moments ARE important enough to be documented (no matter how small they may be deemed). I want to normalize real, authentic photos that showcase a specific time in someone’s life. I want to create digital works of art that celebrate the life, accomplishment, or love held within that can be revisited at any point and evoke that same emotion at the time it was taken.
I am most proud of the relationships that I have created through this business and the effect that it has had on people. All of my sessions feel like I gain a new friend and we continue to talk outside once the session ends. One of my absolute favorite memories was photographing a birthday party for The Stella Effect. This organization donates to and supports families with children who have Trisomy 13 or 18. I was so excited for this moment and felt so welcomed into these strangers’ lives for just a small (but incredibly special) moment on each of their timelines to celebrate Charlotte’s 4th birthday.
Something that sets me apart is the combination of skills within my business. When combining photography and calligraphy, I have noticed that I have greatly increased my intentionality when it comes to the smallest parts of hand-lettering or a wedding day. I am always making sure that the smallest things are noticed and are up to standard. I want to ensure that I am putting my heart and soul into the things that I do for my clients. I pride myself in ensuring that my work is filled with intention and joy.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I have learned along the way is to not be so hard on myself and to not compare myself to others’ journeys! It can be so tough to feel like you’re in the right place at the right time, but I have to trust that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I have always compared myself to the incredible photographers around me in the industry and know that I bring something new and special to the table in my own way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redamancypress.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redamancypress/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redamancypress
Image Credits
Emma Dee Photography
