For me the biggest key to success is being able to master your mind.
Today I’m bringing you the first episode of NION Radio, formerly ShopTalk Radio. With the help of my girlfriend Stacy London, we’re turning the tables as she interviews me about how I got to where I am in my creative career, why I’m starting my own brand, and what NION is all about.
Starting from my childhood outside of Seattle, we are talking about all of the gritty details: my design career, when I first picked up a camera, how traveling has opened my eyes, the highs and lows of my career, how I found my own identity despite the confines of my environment, and how learning about emotional intelligence has helped me along the way.
Listen in to learn where the name of my brand NION came from, why I’m passionate bout living a vibrant life with your eyes open, and why I want to continue interviewing fascinating people that are creating great art and leading highly productive, rich, and fulfilling lives.
Thank you for your support of this podcast over the years. I’m excited to be continuing to push it to be helpful and inspiring for all types of creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists.
I definitely had to motivate myself to discover a bigger world.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/nick-onken” title=”How I Went From Struggling Artist To Where I Am Today” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/100_NickOnken_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What is the essence of this podcast [4:20]
- Common themes amongst creatives [6:25]
- The importance of giving back [8:00]
- The difference between success and fulfillment [9:40]
- What drives my curiosity [14:10]
- How I started questioning my religious upbringing [18:30]
- What opened my eyes to travel [22:40]
- When I first picked up a digital camera [28:05]
- The importance of practice [37:00]
- What influenced my hunger for experience [48:40]
- Why it’s important to build your career as a photographer in a big city [49:50]
- How I created an awesome network [59:20]
- Why you have to have a vision for where you want to be [1:01:50]
- How to find representation [1:04:25]
- Why I moved to New York [1:10:10]
- Where Nion came from [1:13:20]
- What happened when media shifted in 2011 [1:15:05]
- Why you have to separate yourself from your work [1:20:10]
- How NION came about [1:24:20]
- The role collaboration will play in NION [1:30:30]
- How to not be cynical about the world [1:38:10]
Links mentioned:
- Check out Freedom Podcasting
- Read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Check out Lewis Howes’ interview with Tony Robbins
- Listen to the podcast episodes mentioned today: Stacy London & Emily Fletcher
- Check out photographer Jim Garner
- Learn more about Pencils of Promise
- Get a copy of my book Photo Trekking
- Music Credit: Yeah by Itro
LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE
CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
For me the biggest key to success is being able to master your mind.
Today I’m bringing you the first episode of NION Radio, formerly ShopTalk Radio. With the help of my girlfriend Stacy London, we’re turning the tables as she interviews me about how I got to where I am in my creative career, why I’m starting my own brand, and what NION is all about.
Starting from my childhood outside of Seattle, we are talking about all of the gritty details: my design career, when I first picked up a camera, how traveling has opened my eyes, the highs and lows of my career, how I found my own identity despite the confines of my environment, and how learning about emotional intelligence has helped me along the way.
Listen in to learn where the name of my brand NION came from, why I’m passionate bout living a vibrant life with your eyes open, and why I want to continue interviewing fascinating people that are creating great art and leading highly productive, rich, and fulfilling lives.
Thank you for your support of this podcast over the years. I’m excited to be continuing to push it to be helpful and inspiring for all types of creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists.
I definitely had to motivate myself to discover a bigger world.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/nick-onken” title=”How I Went From Struggling Artist To Where I Am Today” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/100_NickOnken_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What is the essence of this podcast [4:20]
- Common themes amongst creatives [6:25]
- The importance of giving back [8:00]
- The difference between success and fulfillment [9:40]
- What drives my curiosity [14:10]
- How I started questioning my religious upbringing [18:30]
- What opened my eyes to travel [22:40]
- When I first picked up a digital camera [28:05]
- The importance of practice [37:00]
- What influenced my hunger for experience [48:40]
- Why it’s important to build your career as a photographer in a big city [49:50]
- How I created an awesome network [59:20]
- Why you have to have a vision for where you want to be [1:01:50]
- How to find representation [1:04:25]
- Why I moved to New York [1:10:10]
- Where Nion came from [1:13:20]
- What happened when media shifted in 2011 [1:15:05]
- Why you have to separate yourself from your work [1:20:10]
- How NION came about [1:24:20]
- The role collaboration will play in NION [1:30:30]
- How to not be cynical about the world [1:38:10]
Links mentioned:
- Check out Freedom Podcasting
- Read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Check out Lewis Howes’ interview with Tony Robbins
- Listen to the podcast episodes mentioned today: Stacy London & Emily Fletcher
- Check out photographer Jim Garner
- Learn more about Pencils of Promise
- Get a copy of my book Photo Trekking
- Music Credit: Yeah by Itro
9/13/16
100: Nick Onken – How I Went From Struggling Artist To Where I Am Today
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masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
For me the biggest key to success is being able to master your mind.
Today I’m bringing you the first episode of NION Radio, formerly ShopTalk Radio. With the help of my girlfriend Stacy London, we’re turning the tables as she interviews me about how I got to where I am in my creative career, why I’m starting my own brand, and what NION is all about.
Starting from my childhood outside of Seattle, we are talking about all of the gritty details: my design career, when I first picked up a camera, how traveling has opened my eyes, the highs and lows of my career, how I found my own identity despite the confines of my environment, and how learning about emotional intelligence has helped me along the way.
Listen in to learn where the name of my brand NION came from, why I’m passionate bout living a vibrant life with your eyes open, and why I want to continue interviewing fascinating people that are creating great art and leading highly productive, rich, and fulfilling lives.
Thank you for your support of this podcast over the years. I’m excited to be continuing to push it to be helpful and inspiring for all types of creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists.
I definitely had to motivate myself to discover a bigger world.
[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/nick-onken” title=”How I Went From Struggling Artist To Where I Am Today” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/100_NickOnken_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]
Some things we learn in this podcast:
- What is the essence of this podcast [4:20]
- Common themes amongst creatives [6:25]
- The importance of giving back [8:00]
- The difference between success and fulfillment [9:40]
- What drives my curiosity [14:10]
- How I started questioning my religious upbringing [18:30]
- What opened my eyes to travel [22:40]
- When I first picked up a digital camera [28:05]
- The importance of practice [37:00]
- What influenced my hunger for experience [48:40]
- Why it’s important to build your career as a photographer in a big city [49:50]
- How I created an awesome network [59:20]
- Why you have to have a vision for where you want to be [1:01:50]
- How to find representation [1:04:25]
- Why I moved to New York [1:10:10]
- Where Nion came from [1:13:20]
- What happened when media shifted in 2011 [1:15:05]
- Why you have to separate yourself from your work [1:20:10]
- How NION came about [1:24:20]
- The role collaboration will play in NION [1:30:30]
- How to not be cynical about the world [1:38:10]
Links mentioned:
- Check out Freedom Podcasting
- Read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Check out Lewis Howes’ interview with Tony Robbins
- Listen to the podcast episodes mentioned today: Stacy London & Emily Fletcher
- Check out photographer Jim Garner
- Learn more about Pencils of Promise
- Get a copy of my book Photo Trekking
- Music Credit: Yeah by Itro
9/13/16
100: Nick Onken – How I Went From Struggling Artist To Where I Am Today
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Some people do not need to perform. They simply arrive. Peter Crone is one of them. His work is quiet.Precise.Deep. So the challenge was never how to make him look impressive.It was how to let his essence lead. This case study is about what happens when imagery stops trying and starts listening. The Challenge Peter’s […]
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If you’re searching for a photographer in London who can actually capture your essence, not just your image, you’re asking the right question. Because when it comes to personal brand photography, geography matters.But frequency matters more. You don’t need just a photographer.You need a visual translator. Someone who can turn your energy, story, and identity […]
Visual identity isn’t about how you look. It’s about how you make someone feel when they first encounter you. Before anyone reads your words, they feel your presence.Before trust, there is tone.Before authority, there is resonance. This is where Elevated Realism™ lives.Not in polish.Not in perfection.In presence. The Problem With Most Brand Imagery Most visual […]
There’s something pulling at you. Not a plan. Not a strategy. Not even a clear destination. Just this persistent tug that won’t let go. You’ve probably tried to rationalize it away. To wait for more clarity. To map out the full journey before taking a step. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of building […]
What happens when your inner transformation meets visual expression? When Caoimhe Harrison came to me, she wasn’t just looking for new photos. She was mid-evolution. Her coaching practice had deepened. Her energy had shifted. And the version of her that existed online no longer matched the woman she was becoming. She didn’t need a rebrand. […]
(For the Financial Brains Who Don’t Get It Yet) Let’s talk numbers. Just not the ones you’re used to. If you’re financially minded, you’ve probably asked this question before:“How does photography actually pay me back?” It’s fair. You’re not looking for vibes.You want leverage. Personal brand photography often gets dismissed as “nice to have” because […]
Most photographers compete on price. The best ones don’t compete at all. If you’ve ever looked at photographer pricing and wondered why some charge $500 while others charge $5,000 for what looks like the same service, you’re asking the right question. The answer isn’t about skill. It’s about authority. Two photographers can have identical technical […]
A Free Download for Aligned, Effortless Shoots Most photoshoots fail before the camera ever comes out. Not because of lighting.Not because of gear.Not because of posing. They fail because of misalignment. People show up hoping the camera will figure out what they haven’t clarified yet.And the result is predictable. Good photos.Wrong signal. This checklist exists […]
2026 Packages This isn’t coverage. It’s coherence. An Elevated Realism™ shoot isn’t designed to give you more photos.It’s designed to give you clarity, consistency, and authority across your entire brand ecosystem. Every element of the experience exists to solve one problem:Your current visuals no longer reflect who you’ve become. Here’s exactly what’s included in an […]
Q1 isn’t about starting over. It’s about being seen correctly. The new year doesn’t create momentum.It reveals who prepared for it. Q1 is when visibility resets.When attention sharpens.When people decide who they’re listening to this year. And the fastest way that decision gets made isn’t through words.It’s through visuals. That’s why Q1 is the most […]
TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post This Is More Than a Photoshoot These aren’t generic content sessions. Every photoshoot is individually crafted — built around your unique narrative, your energy signature, and where your brand is heading. We call these Emanate Photoshoots intentionally. The purpose is to capture not just who you are […]
About the Blogger
I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here.
I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here.
