Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Nelson.
Hi Nate, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started In 2018 I was in Cades cove taking photos for myself , several people came up to me that first week of spring and asked for help with camera settings. I was looking for a new career path. And did lots of research to find that being licensed with the GSMNP for photography classes /tours and portrait photography would be worth pursuing! I was building a great brand until Jan 2020. The Covid shutdown. That year portrait photography died in the smokes for a lot of great photographers, due to stimulus checks and lots of people working from home there was a mass increase of everyday people with new cameras acting like professionals, doing portraits for $20. Also the GSMNP took away the portrait license requirement. I merged into event photography ( mostly marathon running ) antique car photography and kept the tour / class permit and work on that part time. I also work part time as a business advisor in Nashville. Sharing my experience of transition in this new era. ( always be flexible , old ways don’t work anymore)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I said in the last post. Covid changed the world. That was the most challenging year. As so many became want to be photographers over night. Trying to be professional competing with people who are basically working for free and took away the value of good work for “ good enough work “ this pushed me to become more elite, do what no one else would. Find images that can’t be recreated or images that the average person can’t take. Always looking for a shot that no one else has.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I guess I am known for finding and creating organic images that are unrealistic. It may take weeks or years to create an image naturally that just stuns the public. ( meaning no photoshop, no AI , just real like stuff captured on a camera. )
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Your cell phone is the best camera you can buy, photography is a money pit that doesn’t ever stop. The one thing I wish I knew was how fast the technology would change and how fast photography would become obsolete in 90% of life. ( due to cell phones , and AI).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natenelsonphotography.com/
