Featured Blogger Interview: Nicolle from Sacred Lotus Photography
November 25, 2009 | By
This is an interview for all your photography artists out there! Nicolle from SacredLotus.typepad.com has been blogging for just over a year now, and already her blog is full of big beautiful posts and pictures. Let’s take a minute to get to know her and learn her blogging secrets!
Left photo by Whitney Johnson
For our readers new to your blog, please tell us a little bit about yourself and Sacred Lotus Photography.
Hi my name is Nicolle, I'm a 27 year old wife, mother, and photographer. My husband, son and I moved from California to Portland, Oregon a little over 4 years ago. We thought it would be a great place to raise our son and we were right, we love it out here! I feel so blessed to live in a city with so many talented photographers, crafters, designers, artists and musicians.
I started Sacred Lotus Photography last October as a place to share my photography work and tid-bits of my everyday life. After awhile it evolved into a space to share my inspirations, the work of other photographers, handmade artists, independent designers and illustrators. It's a place where I can showcase beautiful things and that makes me happy. I have a passion for handmade items and enjoy introducing people to new artists and new forms of art.
Where do you meet photographers to spotlight?
Back in 2005, I joined a little photo sharing site called Flickr. It's not so little anymore and is now home to thousands upon thousands of amazing photographers. All the photographers that I spotlight on my blog can be found on Flickr. It's a great place to find inspiration and build friendships. I have learned so much from the photographers I have met on Flickr, some in real life, some just behind the computer screen. Either way it's a site that has helped my photography grow and has introduced me to the work of some truly talented people.
How do you balance your social and family life with your blogging?
Oh that's a good question. I'm still not sure if I have found the perfect balance yet. I do a lot of my blogging late at night after my 6 year old goes to bed. That seems to be the only time when I can sit and focus on blogging with no distractions. I like to schedule my posts for the upcoming week on Sundays. Then I fill in posts with a few photos/handmade items I may have found during the week. That leaves me with plenty of time to spend with my husband and son or hang out with friends.
Do you have any advice for new bloggers looking to get started?
I'm still pretty new to blogging myself, but here are a few things I have figured out. Google is your best friend. There is a lot to learn when it comes to blogging, and almost any question you have can be answered on the internet. It might take a little digging up, but it's amazing what you can learn if you take the time. Read and comment on other peoples blogs. Blogs are like one big community, get out there and meet people. Tell them what you think about their site. Start a conversation! Last but not least, blog about something you love: be it your small business, your photography, camping, cooking, anything really. If you put your heart in it, it's going to show!
When did you first discover handmade, and what inspired you to do feature handmade items on your blog?
I have always been a lover of handmade items. When I was a little girl my grandmother would make Christmas decorations and sell them at local boutiques. I remember always admiring the hard work and care she and the other ladies put into the things that were made and how that to me made each item so much more special then something mass manufactured in a big box store.
In 2007 Etsy.com really brought to my attention just how many handmade artists and crafters are out there. After living in Portland and meeting so many crafty ladies, I wanted to start sharing my love for handmade with my blog readers around the globe.
As a photographer, how important would you say having high quality photos is to blogging?
I think it's very important. Well thought out high quality photos are nice to look at and will keep your readers coming back.
One of my favorite sections of your blog is the Style category. Has this category influenced your own sense of style since you started it?
Yes it has. I'm very much into vintage and retro styling. There are so many young talented independent designers right now that have inspired me to try something new. I find new pieces everyday that I might have passed up before.
What were your initial goals with your blog, and do you feel you’re reached them now?
The only initial goals I had when I started was to keep my blog up and running for longer than six months and have fun while doing it! I have accomplished that and have been at it for a year now. My new goals are to grow my reader/sponsor base and to keep my blog fun and interesting.
What’s a fun fact most readers don’t know about you?
I have only been to six states (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, and Oregon), never traveled overseas and have only been on a plane 3 times in my life. I hope someday I will get the chance to travel. I dream of someday going to Japan when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Last but not least, why do you believe that supporting handmade and indie is important?
I believe that buying handmade and indie products is important because there are too many factories mass-producing items at the expense of their workers and the environment. When you buy something handmade, you are buying something made with TLC and supporting a growing community of creative hardworking people.
Thank you Nicolle for a fantastic interview! If you enjoyed reading Nicolle’s answers and seeing some of her pictures, then you’ll love her blog at http://sacredlotus.typepad.com.
Sara Moore is the Head of the Content Department on ArtFire.com.
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