Meet Kelly Nicholl of Image Maker Photography in Lake San Marcos and Carlsbad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Nicholl.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kelly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Photography started as a hobby in the year 2000 while living in upstate NY. Friends would comment on my photos with very positive feedback and suggested I pursue it more. In 2004, I was “Artist of the Month” at Barnes & Noble in Poughkeepsie, NY and from there, my work was displayed and sold from Dr’s Offices and Floral Shops.

I moved back to San Diego in 2012 and began focusing on surf, beach life and food/drink photography. In 2015, a popular Bay Park (Mission Bay) coffee shop/bakery displayed 5 pieces of my wrapped-canvas photography against one of their walls were a handful of my images sold.

In 2016 I moved up to North County and entered a couple of my canvas images into the June 2016 Carlsbad / Oceanside Art Gallery where my image “Marti’s Kitchen” took 1st place in the photography division. From there, I received 2 more ribbons and sold additional photos/greeting cards.

In June of 2017, I was ‘juried’ into a select group of artists called “Art on the Green” in downtown Carlsbad – this allows year-round access to be a part of their art show on the grass in front of the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. I joyfully gave notice to my corporate job (in Pt. Loma), obtained a seller’s permit and business license and began my new business of selling photography.

I also have a standard showing at the Vista Library receiving an exclusive 2-month exhibit in their 2000 sq ft Community Center Room – 2018 will be my third year with them. In March of 2018, I will be “Artist of the Month’ via the city of Carlsbad’s Senior Community Center in downtown Carlsbad. They are giving me their complete corridor of the facility (running the length of the building) to display my photography. I have also participated in a series of local community events, church craft fairs and La Jolla shores surf contests.

I am getting prepared for my first Wine & Art show next Thursday, Feb 8th which will be hosted by North County Wine Company.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been fortunate not to encounter many major struggles as I have a wonderful support system and an abundance of encouragement. It’s been a learning experience trying to figure out the best way to set up and display your work at Art on the Green – given a 10 x 10 space and having to create a unique aesthetic apart from your fellow artists. Being a year-round, weekend event – it’s been a bit of a challenge when the coastline weather is not ideal; wind can create a big issue causing art to blow over and become damaged.

Please tell us about Image Maker Photography.
I am the photographer and I specialize in colorful, vivid scenery of beach life, landscapes, culture and food/drink.

Most of my art has sold as full wrapped canvas wall art but I also offer prints, metal and greeting cards. I am most proud of Image Maker Photography as I feel photography is ‘my calling’ and having over 20+ years in the corporate business world prepared me to become a woman business owner. I literally quit my ‘day job’ with the world’s largest sailing making company “North Sails” – I was the office manager for their graphics division in Pt. Loma – no more 2+ hr daily commute and I’m now my own boss.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many childhood memories but one that stands out was when my family moved from NY to San Diego in 1974 (I was 10 years old) and when I saw the beach for the first time – it was utterly mind-blowing. I loved everything about the beach; the smell, the warmth, the sounds, the soft sand and the constant retracing waves. It was pure heaven – I still feel the same till this day!

Contact Info:

• Address: Lake San Marcos
• Website: www.ImageMakerPhotos.com
• Phone: 845 242 5126
• Email: [email protected]

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.