PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN SACRAMENTO
Hi, I'm Nicola! Pronounced 'Nic-uh-la'.
I was born in South Africa, grew up in England, and am now based in Sacramento! (Unfortunately, there's no accent to be found unless I am on the phone with my parents or the drinks have been flowwwin')
I love music that makes me feel things… Bon Iver, Angus & Julia Stone, The XX, just to name a few. I can also be found editing to some cheesy country songs and can rap along to almost any Biggie Smalls song. Humans are complex and amazing and I don’t think we can ever restrict ourselves to being one type of thing, certainly not one type of music genre. If I like a song I listen to it over and over and over again until I can’t stand it. Super cool habit.
I love the elements that make up a wedding; from the nervous jitters of getting ready, dreams becoming reality when you finally see your love at the altar, to breaking it down on the dance-floor to your favorite song, surrounded by the people you love the most.
I’m very sneaky in the way that I work. I will give direction when needed, but I mostly like to step back and let the moments unfold. I'll be with you every step of the way and when you get your photos back you'll be like what? how? when? ;)
READ MORE ABOUT ME HERE
LATEST FEATURED POSTS:
Katherine and Arnold’s love story is the perfect example of how sometimes the best things happen when you least expect it. They met on a dating app in the middle of the pandemic, during a time when everything felt uncertain. For their first date, it was actually Arnold’s first time leaving the house since the shutdown! Four years later, here they are, stronger than ever and getting ready to tie the knot.
Cassidy and Jeff’s love story is a testament to the magic of fate and timing. Although they attended the same high school, Cassidy and Jeff were two years apart and never crossed paths until a New Year’s Eve party. What started as a midnight kiss quickly turned into a beautiful love story that led them to say “I do” in a dreamy June ceremony at Concannon Vineyards in Livermore. I had the privilege of capturing their engagement session and wedding day.
Fall is a season that brings warmth, beautiful colors, and the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones. I had the joy of photographing this sweet family during their fall mini shoot in Pleasanton. With autumn’s golden glow, the beautiful backdrop of fall foliage, and little Hudson’s infectious smile, it was an afternoon full of love, laughter, and sweet moments.
Reeny and Andrew’s destination wedding in Lake Tahoe began with a magical welcome dinner cruise aboard the Spirit Tahoe. The next day, their celebration continued at the luxurious Tahoe Blue Estate, a venue with unparalleled views of Lake Tahoe and the mountains. Reeny & Andrew said “I do” with one the prettiest backdrops I have ever photographed!
This summer, I had the opportunity to photograph the most magical wedding at Northstar Ski Resort. I've spent many winters snowboarding up here and I actually got engaged here in 2019, so it was a dream come true to be back at this venue, shooting a wedding 8,000 ft up in the sky. The couple, Jake and Holly, have such an incredible love story.
Instagram @nicolaleighphoto:
Sabrina and Cole met during the 2019 Stagecoach Music Festival, where they bonded over music, laughs, and shared memories with friends. Their connection was immediate, and it didn’t take long for them to start talking every day after the festival. Now fast forward to their wedding day, where they celebrated their love surrounded by family and friends at the beautiful Palm Event Center in Pleasanton.