Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicky Hedayatzadeh.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Art in all its forms has been the biggest motivation in my life, but to choose it as a career was not what I had in mind. I’m a first-generation immigrant, and although this is not true for every child of immigrants, a career in the arts is not encouraged by most immigrant parents. I now can’t imagine doing anything else, but I had planned on being a lawyer and working with NGO’s (non-governmental organization) at the UN. I wanted to make a difference in the world. I had seen war and inequality and I wanted to contribute to peace and justice. It didn’t work out that way.
When I was at ASU for undergrad I worked at a portrait studio and that’s how I learned the basics of photography. I also photographed hip-hop concerts for this local show where they would interview the artists before or after the concert and do mini-documentaries on them while they were in town. They paid for my film and processing and I got to see the concerts. I was a broke college student so it was a great gig. I loved the storytelling part of this job the most, the behind the scenes look at the person vs the artist on stage. It has informed my work to this day.
Once I graduated I decided to take some time to travel and photograph throughout Asia with my sister and defer law school until the following year. I was working a few jobs and doing photography to save up money for school and then I realized that I had found what I really wanted to do. So I didn’t go to law school.
My friend and I opened up a photography, graphic design and printing studio in downtown Phoenix and I’ve never looked back. My husband owns a midcentury vintage furniture store in Phoenix so in different ways, I feel like we are contributing to preserving and documenting the history of this city. I truly love my work and the community I get to be a part of.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I look at it as a smooth road in that it has evolved and changed along the way. I feel that the changes came about in an organic way and I followed whatever was working and abandoned things that didn’t feel right. Downtown Phoenix has changed so much physically so I have moved studios a few times as new condos have been built and old buildings occupied by artists have been torn down. I suppose that was a bit of an obstacle but I also loved the opportunity to be in a new space and work with new artists. I love the studio I’m in now, it’s called Vermillion and it’s a photography co-working space.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Mint Photography Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
I mostly photograph food and products as well as a few weddings/engagements. Those things seem at first to be worlds apart but I approach both in the same way; telling a story in each photograph or series of photographs.
I work with mostly local businesses which I absolutely love. I photograph their products and the things they are passionate about. Working with chefs, woodworkers, farms, a local dairy, vintage furniture stores, innovators and non-profits allows me to be a part of this community that I have come to love so much in a very intimate and grassroots way.
Getting published and seeing work in print is my favorite thing and the thing I’m most proud of. I can’t wait for my clients to go back to their photos in 5 years and see moments in their journey to where they are at that point in their life be it personal or in their businesses.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hmmm, I’ve never thought about that question. Every challenge in my past has lead to the life I have and love right now. I suppose living in a revolution and war-torn country isn’t the best of luck but surviving it and being able to appreciate how great my life now makes it seem like good luck.
Contact Info:
- Address: 124 West McDowell Rd. Phoenix AZ 85003
- Website: www.iheartmint.com, www.mintphotography.com
- Phone: 6024515329
- Email: nicky@iheartmint.com
- Instagram: mintphotographystudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mintphotodesign/
Image Credit:
Estevan Medina, Photo de Urban
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