Meet Nick Patton of Nick Patton Photography in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Patton.

Nick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I first got into photography, when I was 24, after my grandfather passed away and left us with some money. My mom advised my sisters and I that we should spend the money on something meaningful and at that time I was first getting into photography. I decided to use that money and buy a standard DSLR camera just for fun. I loved to take photos of the little things I saw in my everyday life and put my creative spin on it.

It wasn’t until I was 26 that I realized that this is something I could make a career out of. I have always been a hustler and went after the things I wanted. So naturally, I decided to put everything into my business to try to get it off the ground. Clients here and there would book me for their weddings and I had to keep that traction going.

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?
It wasn’t easy. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t take the beautiful photos that I would see on Instagram with the perfect couple, flowers and scenery. I realized after a time that if I wanted to make this my career, I was going to have to give it all I have and work harder than I ever have before. I started putting money into workshops, mentorships and styling my shoots that I started to get into it. I had to create the photos that I have always wanted to shoot by styling them myself to attract those types of clients. I let my mind run wild and whatever I wanted to shoot, I made it happen. Over time I started picking up traction and booking weddings after I could show people (and myself) what I could do.

My whole drive and motivation come from employing my wife and I so when we decide to have kids, we will get to be home with them and not have to leave for a 9-5 job. It won’t be easy but no proud accomplishment is.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am focusing my attention on adventurous elopements as those types of weddings make me the happiest. I will always love big traditional weddings, and the products it brings, but at this time of my life, I want to travel as much as I can. I want to help educate couples that they have another option for the big traditional wedding if an intimate ceremony is more their style. I want to be able to document an unbelievable experience for them by going to the places they have only dreamed of.

I want to be able to give my couples images from their wedding that they can look back on forever. I want them to be able to relive their wedding and remember exactly how they felt in each image.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was always doing something creative. When I was a kid, I would put on scenes with my sisters for my parents. We would make our costumes and props while acting out scenes in the living room. In high school and college, I got into acting and have been in numerous plays, musicals and student films. I was not afraid to be on stage and have crowds of people looking at me. I felt so comfortable on stage and speaking in front of a lot of people and believe that helps me today working with shooting weddings.

Pricing:

• Elopements start at $3,000
• Adventure Sessions are $400
• Family Sessions are $300
• Maternity Sessions are $100
• Traditional Weddings start at $2400

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nickpatton.photos
• Phone: 480-394-1251
• Email: book@npatton.photos
• Instagram: instagram.com/nickpatton-photos
• Facebook: facebook.com/nickpattonphotography

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