Nicole Ettenhofer: 5 Things Anyone Can Do To Take Stunning Photos
Have fun — As a photographer, the greater your enjoyment, the more likely you are to discover the perfect shot. Photography is all about embracing fun, which can lead to discovering the perfect shot in unexpected places. Keep an open mind and let your creativity flow freely, as you never know what unique perspectives you might uncover. Confidence plays a key role in capturing memorable moments, so don’t hesitate to experiment and try new techniques. Remember to keep a playful atmosphere to ensure that the photo subjects feel confident, comfortable and open to exploring photo ideas that will make this special moment last a lifetime. With a positive mindset and a willingness to explore, you’ll be amazed at the incredible images you can create.
As a part of our series about “5 Things Anyone Can Do To Take Stunning Photos” I had the pleasure Nicole Ettenhofer.
Nicole Ettenhofer is the VP of Growth & Strategy for George Street Photo & Video, a national wedding photo and video company based in Chicago, IL with experience serving thousands of customers and offering best in quality wedding coverage at an affordable cost. With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry, Nicole is an expert in wedding trends and couples photography and has helped the company achieve accolades such as The Knot’s Best of Weddings every year from 2020–2023 and The Knot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame for the company’s commitment to quality and value. Before joining George Street, Nicole served as a thought leader within the event and hospitality industry for over 20 years. As for her personal life, Nicole resides near Denver, CO with her husband and two dogs and is an avid hiking enthusiast.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My journey to this career path began during my time in the hospitality industry before joining George Street. I was in a multi-faceted role at the time, contributing to marketing efforts for weddings, assisting the operations team in event planning and even taking on the role of creative director for photoshoots. Collaborating closely with photographers and tapping into my creative instincts not only enhanced my skills but also sparked my appreciation for photography.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
A few years ago, I found myself in an unexpected situation when a friend’s cousin faced a wedding photographer crisis a day before the big event. With the photographer canceling at the last minute, they turned to me for help. In a whirlwind of phone calls and quick thinking, I reached out to every George Street photographer in the vicinity. Fortunately, we did end up finding a talented substitute photographer that was able to capture the essence of the wedding. It was a gratifying experience to leverage the resources and network of George Street to save the day and goes to show how unique the business is in this industry.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Before I started working for George Street, when I was in my early 20s. I made a mistake with transportation for a convention. Being unfamiliar with the process, the responsibility felt daunting to me. I ended up making an error with the booking process and rather than providing me with a quick fix, my boss encouraged me to resolve the issue independently. While the situation was stressful at the moment, I’m grateful for the experience now because my boss believed that I was capable of finding the solution to the issue on my own. Without this experience, I wouldn’t have had the chance to further my confidence and personal growth.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
George Street Photo & Video is the largest national wedding photo and video company in the nation. We built a network of talent including photographers, videographers and editors with a multitude of stylistic approaches. This collective expertise allows us to tailor our services precisely to our client’s wants and needs. Additionally, our robust network ensures seamless backup options should any unforeseen conflicts arise with the original photographer on the day of.
In addition to this, we also offer a style quiz that allows couples the ability to find a photographer who matches their exact aesthetic and photography needs. By completing the style quiz, the couples no longer need to research photographers and videographers best suited for their wedding style — we do all the work!
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
One tip I always recommend is to put yourself first. When I feel stressed or I am struggling to find a solution, I like to step away to take a break or go for a walk. This always helps me to come up with answers in a more natural way. When I put myself first, take breaks and use vacation time, I feel refreshed and ready to take on any challenge.
At George Street, we also believe that our photographers and videographers should take time for themselves too. Recognizing the demands of wedding season, we actively encourage our network to take opportunities during non-peak times to recharge, rest and take well-deserved vacations. As highlighted by The Knot, with 42% of couples opting for fall weddings, strategically planning downtime around peak seasons becomes imperative for wedding professionals to prevent burnout.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Throughout my career thus far, I have been fortunate enough to encounter several influential leaders. One of these leaders in my early twenties significantly shaped my approach to problem-solving. While in this position, I was encountered with a particularly challenging public relations crisis. Not knowing what to do, I approached my boss to ask him about a solution. His response was to come back to him when I had a range of potential solutions. I took a moment and thought through a handful of potential scenarios, and once I had laid out my options, I felt confident going back to my boss and presenting him with my findings. This experience taught me a valuable critical thinking skill of approaching challenges with a proactive mindset. Today, as a seasoned professional, I have taken this lesson with me, and in the heat of the moment, I can reflect and independently think about possible solutions to issues when they arise.
Are you working on any exciting projects now?
Yes — George Street is updating its website ahead of its twentieth anniversary! The team is reworking the page to achieve a more modern look while also incorporating a more “bright” and “splashy” feel to the website. We wanted to make sure that we were considering a Gen-Z audience, our incoming clientele. In addition to this, the company is also reworking the style test to make sure we are accurately capturing the stylistic needs and wants of each couple’s big day. It is an exciting time as we strive to elevate every aspect of our services to better serve our clients.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I am dedicated to helping women become better leaders. In my free time, I mentor women in and out of George Street. I love to coach and provide support to women who are looking to improve their leadership skills to ensure they are advancing within their career. George Street also prioritizes fostering growth and development among our team members as well. We provide many opportunities for individuals to expand their portfolios and enhance their expertise. By nurturing talent and providing a conducive environment for skill-building, we not only enrich the professional lives of our members but also contribute to the overall elevation of the wedding photography industry as a whole.
Can you share “5 Things Anyone Can Do To Take Stunning Photos”. Please share an example for each.
Use your surroundings for interesting backdrops
Foreground, middle ground and background are integral layers in creating visually compelling narratives. By arranging elements within these layers, photographers add depth and interest to images, guiding the viewer’s gaze and enhancing the storytelling aspect. Foreground elements, like rocks or foliage, draw viewers into the scene, while the middle ground anchors the main subject, creating a sense of scale. Techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing and selective focus help craft balanced compositions that captivate and resonate. Through careful layering and composition techniques, photographers can craft images that not only capture a moment but also capture the subject’s genuine emotions. Mastering these techniques elevates photographs into powerful visual stories that transcend the moment captured.
Golden Hour
Golden Hour adds an enchanting touch to wedding photography, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. This ethereal hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, bathes everything it touches in a soft, flattering light, which creates a dreamlike ambiance, perfect for capturing the romance and beauty of weddings. Utilizing landscape photography techniques during golden hour elevates wedding shots to a new level, enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings and infusing each frame with a timeless and magical quality. Harnessing the power of golden hour ensures that every photograph tells a captivating story of love and connection, making the wedding album a visual masterpiece that will be cherished for a lifetime.
Consider the framing
Framing in photography helps to guide viewers’ gaze and adds depth and emotion to images. From natural frames like overhanging branches to architectural frames such as grand arches, each element adds richness to the visual narrative. Experimenting with perspectives, light and composition allows photographers to craft compositions that resonate deeply with viewers. Through careful consideration of balance, symmetry and negative space, photographers can create visually compelling images that captivate and inspire. Weddings can even offer creative opportunities to experiment with framing, try utilizing the rings, the bridal veil, bouquets and even architectural elements like venue archways to frame the shot. By mastering the art of framing, photographers unlock the power to tell stories that transcend time and leave a lasting impact.
Use Props
Props add a unique touch to photo sessions and can help to reflect the personalities of the couple. From ring boxes or dishes that showcase the engagement ring to couples’ pets, props can contribute to memorable moments. You can also utilize seasonal accessories, like pumpkins and wildflowers, or festive elements like candles and confetti. Additionally, personalized items tailored to the couple’s interests can play a role in elevating the session. Some engagement-centered props like handwritten signs, champagne and floral bouquets not only offer fun posing and framing opportunities but also signify the celebration of the engagement. While props can enhance the photos, it is important to keep them simple and meaningful, ensuring they compliment, rather than overshadow the couple. Ultimately, the goal is to capture authentic moments that tell the couple’s unique love story in a visually stunning way.
Have fun
As a photographer, the greater your enjoyment, the more likely you are to discover the perfect shot. Photography is all about embracing fun, which can lead to discovering the perfect shot in unexpected places. Keep an open mind and let your creativity flow freely, as you never know what unique perspectives you might uncover. Confidence plays a key role in capturing memorable moments, so don’t hesitate to experiment and try new techniques. Remember to keep a playful atmosphere to ensure that the photo subjects feel confident, comfortable and open to exploring photo ideas that will make this special moment last a lifetime. With a positive mindset and a willingness to explore, you’ll be amazed at the incredible images you can create.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I am passionate about empowering women to advocate for themselves as leaders, both in the workplace and beyond. My goal is to instill confidence in women, encouraging them to trust in their own abilities and to champion one another. I firmly believe in the power of women supporting each other.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
