The outdoors has always been a place for me to find peace and rest. As a kid, I would disappear into the forests behind my house for hours and as I grew up I only expanded my love for the outdoors. Going into nature puts my life into perspective. When I am out in the forest, there is no sense of time or hurry. I find that my worries disappear and stresses melt away. I see the beauty in all areas of nature though I am particularly drawn to forests. I love how ancient they are and how many ecosystems there are within them. The amount of beauty on a macro and micro scale is just incredible.
My photography career started with a serious concussion that put me out of college for a year. When I returned, my friends had moved on and I couldn’t find enjoyment in what I did so I transferred schools. It was probably the most depressing and difficult time of my life. However, over the course of three years at the new school, I was able to build some amazing relationships and eventually meet my wife who got me into photography. At about the same time that I met her, I dropped out of college which was the most difficult decision I have made. For the longest time after I left college, I felt like a failure because it was ingrained in me that, that is what you are supposed to do; go to school, get a degree, get a job, get married, buy a house, and have a family. I felt like it was my purpose and when I gave it up, I struggled a lot with depression.
A year later, I got into wedding photography after a professional in my area asked me if I would want to second shoot for him. At the end of that year, I decided to start my own wedding photography business and it took off. I was able to quit my jobs and go into wedding photography full time. Fast forward three years to the present, I am busier than ever and love what I do. I get to travel a lot and work when and where I want (for the most part). I have a beautiful wife and son with a little girl on the way and absolutely love life. I no longer look back on my past and feel like I need or want to live a “cookie cutter” life.
Website: https://www.zachnicholz.com/
The side effects of social media
Not long after I started posting photos on Instagram, I went through a phase where I felt like I had to do what other popular “Influencers” did to grow my following. At the time that I started, the outdoor/travel theme was super popular and I grew my account to over 10K followers in a matter of months which just fueled my obsession. Instagram became all-consuming and toxic and I hurt a lot of people and ruined a lot of relationships. It almost ended my relationship with my girlfriend (now wife) but I decided to get rid of it which was the best decision of my photography career.
I went without Instagram for two years and re-discovered my passion for photography. Instagram is just a tool and should never be a part of your identity. I don’t do it for numbers anymore but instead to show people how beautiful the outdoors are and inspire them to get out and experience it for themselves. Instead of trying to get something from the app, I try to give back and It has been a completely different experience. I have no desire to be known as an “Influencer” or “Instagrammer.” I just want to be me; a husband, father, and outdoor enthusiast.
