Artist Date with Nicole Romanoff: Conversations on Creativity, Courage, and Photography

In this episode of Artist Date, I sit down with Edmonton wedding photographer Carissa Spencer for a thoughtful conversation about burnout, motherhood, creativity, and redefining success. We talk about building a photography business that feels sustainable, learning to slow down in an industry that constantly pushes for more, and creating space for the things that matter most. Carissa shares her journey from second shooting weddings to photographing destination celebrations around the world, while finding a deeper sense of alignment both personally and professionally.

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Instagram: @carissamariephotography

Instagram: @nicoleromanoffphoto

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New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

In this episode of Artist Date, Nicole sits down with New York-based photographer and director Katie McCurdy. From interning at Nylon and Vogue to photographing celebrities and building a successful commercial and editorial career, Katie shares how curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to making personal work have shaped her journey. Together they discuss creativity, networking, commercial photography, film versus digital, finding inspiration, and why the best thing you can do as an artist is simply keep making the work.

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Katie's Instagram: @katiemccurdy_

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In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Toronto-based photographer, studio owner, and educator Olga Pavlova. Olga shares her journey from leaving a career in law to building a thriving photography business and launching LightLab, her studio and education space for photographers. We talk about growth, burnout, social media pressure, and the evolving reality of running a creative business. This conversation is honest, grounded, and a reminder that success isn’t just about doing more, it’s about building a life and business that actually feels good to live in.

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In this episode, Nicole sits down with photographer Molly Matalon to explore the ever-evolving journey of being an artist, from film and scanning to creative process, identity, and growth, offering listeners an honest and inspiring look at how to develop your voice, embrace change, and keep showing up to the work.

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@mollymatalon

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In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Vancouver Island photographer Georgia Johnston, whose work blends romance, nostalgia, intuition, and a deep love of detail. We talk about how her journey began with photographing friends, what she’s learned over 16 years of shooting weddings, how film has helped her stay creatively engaged, and why building a photography business takes both artistic trust and real-life resilience. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about instinct, inspiration, and continuing to evolve behind the camera.

Accidental moments can be the most powerful. Some of the most unforgettable photographs are the ones you never planned, but simply had the camera ready for.

Film can pull you out of autopilot. Reintroducing film into her workflow helped Georgia slow down, experiment again, and approach weddings with fresh eyes.

Great storytelling needs variety. A strong wedding gallery isn’t made of one kind of image. It’s the mix of detail, portrait, movement, atmosphere, and emotion that gives it life.

Your tools shape how you see. Different cameras, formats, and lenses each bring something unique, and learning how they serve your vision can completely shift your process.

Business lessons usually come the hard way. From taxes to bookkeeping to marketing, Georgia shares the reality that building a creative business means learning much more than photography.

Community matters more than competition. Finding supportive photographers, asking questions, and sharing knowledge can change everything in an industry that can otherwise feel isolating.

Inspiration often lives outside the work itself. Nature, home, writing, quiet, and everyday life all play a role in refilling the creative tank.

You do not have to have it all figured out. Georgia’s story is a reminder that growth often comes from following curiosity, trusting your eye, and learning as you go.

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In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Kaela Leone — a Canada-based photographer whose work blends refined editorial storytelling with real emotional honesty. Kaela has been published internationally in outlets like Vogue, Anti-Bride, The Wed, and Wed Vibes, and in our conversation we dive into the magic of film, how she’s built a workflow she truly trusts, and why curation might be one of the most important (and overlooked) skills a photographer can develop. We also talk about the cameras she shoots with, how she balances film and digital on wedding days, what inspires her eye, and how her work is rooted in legacy, connection, and felt memory.

Film as a “felt memory” — Why Kaela is drawn to imagery that carries emotion, legacy, and real human connection.

A workflow you can trust — How practice, repetition, and knowing your tools creates confidence (especially with film).

Curation shapes your brand — What you choose to show (and what you leave out) directly impacts the clients and opportunities that come back to you.

Medium format for magic — Why 120 film feels painterly, detailed, and hard to replicate — and what changed after she tried the Fuji GFX.

Film + digital, strategically — How Kaela uses film for feeling and digital for high-stakes moments like the first kiss.

Submitting work with intention — Why different publications want different things, and how to tailor your gallery to the editor’s eye.

Your environment trains your eye — How travel, design, light, and even movies can shift the way you see and shoot.

Creative practices that reset you — Photo walks without headphones, Qigong, and finding beauty in the mundane.

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In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Calgary-based wedding photographer Zoe Snooks, whose work lives in that beautiful in-between space: documentary meets editorial. Zoe shares how she built her business from the ground up after leaving bartending, why she believes in guiding couples with confidence (without making it feel performative), and how letting go of perfection can lead to more honest, emotional images. We also talk about timelines, creative inspiration beyond the wedding industry, the power of saying no, and what it looks like to finally feel proud of where you are.

Start before you feel ready. Zoe booked early shoots by offering free sessions, building momentum through word of mouth, and learning fast by doing the work.

Guidance creates safety. Most people don’t want to guess what to do in front of the camera and clear direction helps couples relax and look natural.

Treat it like a conversation, not a performance. Slowing down, chatting, demonstrating poses, and allowing real reactions creates the best “candid” moments.

Stop forcing inspiration. Instead of copying images, Zoe studies what she loves about a photo and waits for the right moment to translate it into her own work.

Say no to protect the experience. Taking every inquiry can lead to misalignment and confidence is choosing couples you can genuinely serve well.

Release the pressure of Instagram. Posting what you love (not what you think will perform) brings you back to the work and keeps creativity alive.

No timelines equals more presence. Rigid schedules can steal joy and Zoe prioritizes connection, ease, and letting the day unfold in a way that feels real.

Success can be staying where you are. Growth isn’t always “more”- sometimes the goal is being proud, content, and present with what you’ve already built.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Artist Date for more inspiring conversations with photographers and creatives. Share this one with a friend who’s planning a wedding, building a business, or trying to create work that feels more honest. And come say hi on Instagram — follow @nicoleromanoffphoto and @artistdatepodcast for behind-the-scenes, new episode updates, and more creative inspiration.

In this episode of Artist Date, I sit down with Liam Richards, founder of Electric Umbrella Images, to talk about a career built on trust, ethics, and adaptability. From early days in photojournalism to shooting major sporting events like the Grey Cup, Liam shares what it means to work on the front lines of storytelling, how he navigates high-pressure environments, and why community-focused work has always been at the heart of his studio. This conversation is an honest look at longevity, responsibility, and building a creative business rooted in integrity.

Story always comes before the image. Strong photography is grounded in context, responsibility, and intention, not just aesthetics.

Sports photography is about anticipation. Knowing the game, the flow, and the moments before they happen is just as important as technical skill.

Ethics matter in visual storytelling. The way images are captured and shared carries real responsibility, especially in news and community work.

Adaptability is essential for longevity. From breaking news to corporate campaigns, being able to shift roles and environments keeps a career sustainable.

Community shapes creative work. Staying rooted locally while working on national and global stories builds trust and perspective.

A studio is more than a brand name. Building a business beyond your personal identity creates space for collaboration and growth.

You do not have to post everything right away. Sitting with your work can change how you see it, and sometimes waiting brings clarity.

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In this episode of Artist Date, I sit down with Calgary-based wedding photographer Jackie Kalch, whose work blends relaxed editorial beauty with documentary honesty. Jackie shares how her path from engineering to photography shaped her technical confidence, how her Bulgarian roots taught her to value simplicity and story, and how motherhood shifted the way she documents weddings and families. This conversation is full of perspective, creative clarity, and a reminder that the most powerful images are the ones that bring you right back to how it felt.

Your past life becomes your creative advantage. Jackie’s engineering background shaped how she learns, problem-solves, and builds consistency in her work.

Study what you love, then translate it. Instead of copying, Jackie breaks images down like a case study to understand what draws her in and why.

Film forces intention. Shooting film slows you down, changes your decision-making, and helps you trust the moment over perfection.

Trends will change, story will not. Styles evolve fast, but honest emotion and lived-in images always hold value.

Motherhood shifts your lens. Becoming a parent changed what Jackie notices and what she prioritizes in wedding and family storytelling.

The best moments happen during cocktail hour. Jackie’s favorite part of the day is where guests relax, connect, and become fully themselves.

Be both approachable and invisible. Great documentary work requires comfort, trust, and the ability to blend into the room without freezing it.

Perfection is not the goal. Social media is a highlight reel, but real galleries hold the full story, including the imperfect frames that feel the most true.

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In this episode, I’m sitting down with Calgary-based wedding and couples photographer Rebecca Frank for a heart-forward conversation about intention, imperfection, and what it means to keep growing—even when it means becoming a beginner again. We talk about the realities of building a sustainable photography career, why film has brought Rebecca back to the “why” behind her work, and how to stay inspired in a world that constantly pulls us toward speed, trends, and perfection. If you’ve been craving a creative reset, this episode is your reminder to slow down, feel more, and make work that actually means something.

Heart over hustle. You can make good money in photography, but long-term success requires real passion and intention.

Let yourself be a beginner again. Film (and any new craft) challenges your ego, but that discomfort is where growth lives.

Intention changes everything. Film slows you down, asks you to commit, and forces you to shoot with purpose.

Your lab matters. Scanning, consistency, and trust with a lab can dramatically shape the final look of your film work.

Inspiration comes from living. Personal projects, design, and experiences outside of work keep creativity alive.

People matter more than size. The best weddings aren’t about guest count—they’re about the energy, love, and story.

Make them feel something. The goal isn’t perfect images—it’s emotional images that let people see themselves and their people.

Feedback is a gift. Even when it stings, it’s the fastest path to better systems, stronger boundaries, and better work.

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