New photography studio opens in downtown Niles

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, August 8, 2013

Michelle Nichols' route to owning her own photography business started in the medical field. Six years there taught her that she should be working in something for which she was passionate and she decided that was photography.

Next she spent five years working for another photographer, learning everything she could about the business. She did everything but take the pictures. "I ran the studio and I loved it. I learned a lot," Nichols says.

When that job ended Nichols was ready to go out on her own. "It was just the push I needed to get me to do it," Nichols says. "It's not been easy street, but it was what I needed to do because I love what I am doing so much."

She reached out to Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance to get advice on setting up the business.

One of the aspects of the business that Nichols likes and a hallmark of her studio is the time she spends getting to know her clients so she can prepare for a photo shoot. For example, in a discussion with a youngster she might find out Oreo cookies are his favorite. She will have Oreos on hand at the photography session to bribe the youngster into that perfect smile.

"I'm the kind of photographer who keeps saying just one more shot, until everyone is tired. I'm not one to push one client out the door so the next one can get in," she says. Her work is very customized for each client.

One week after a shoot is completed she will have an edited DVD slide show ready for a customer to view. "It can be very emotional," Nichols says. "My job is done when the tears are flowing from their eyes."

She knows her favorite thing about owning her own studio. "Being able to really put my heart into something I’m very passionate about helped me overcome challenges that come with the territory.”

Jamwac Photography provides an array of products and services to meet customer's portrait needs, including those for graduating seniors, families and children. In-studio and on location photo shoots, and a wide range of portrait products are offered. Portraits have an artistic element to them whether they are shot on location or in the studio.

"I'm very customer oriented," Nichols says. "I give 110 percent to everybody."

• To make an appointment call 574-532-5872 or send email here. You can see examples of her work here.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Michelle Nichols, Jamwac Photography