Staying fresh.
Good question. I’ll be doing a podcast on that in a while in my mini series. I was interviewing Usher, and the biggest thing he said that stuck out to me was Evolve or Evaporate. You’ve gotta keep re-inventing. Look at the greats that are still relevant. He is one of them. Madonna, U2, etc. They all have re-invented over the years.
The same applies to us. I think it’s the mindset. You have to stay hungry. Devour knowledge. Strive to be the best “person” you can be. I went through a time a couple years ago, probably around the same time we bid on the cruise line job where my sales dropped significantly. It was depressing. Emotionally downward spiraling. I went to a dark place. I realized that I was putting my self worth into who and what I was shooting. I ended up taking an emotional intelligence and leadership training in LA through 2013 and 2014 that reshaped the way I saw things. Helped me to be self aware of so many things personally that I was un aware of so I can change them for the better. It helped me to regain a new vision for my life and career. From there, it was about growing as much as I can personally because when we grow personally, it fuels our art. My hashtag, #CreateYourMoments is all about the mental decision to harness the power of CHOICE to create our lives from the smallest of moments. What we create stems from who we are as a person and who we are being first and foremost. This video, is an authentic representation of where I’ve come to “BE” in my life. I’ve done a lot of internal work to get to where I’m at today.
I’m humbled that MTV chose to feature me, my life, and all the projects I’m up to in this awesome video by LGTR Productions. Life is about Creating Your Moments, for moments are the only thing we walk away with at the end of the day.
Special thanks to Tyrrell Winston for making this happen! Also special thanks to the guys at BOTU for my favorite song, HULA HOOP on the soundtrack.
Staying fresh.
Good question. I’ll be doing a podcast on that in a while in my mini series. I was interviewing Usher, and the biggest thing he said that stuck out to me was Evolve or Evaporate. You’ve gotta keep re-inventing. Look at the greats that are still relevant. He is one of them. Madonna, U2, etc. They all have re-invented over the years.
The same applies to us. I think it’s the mindset. You have to stay hungry. Devour knowledge. Strive to be the best “person” you can be. I went through a time a couple years ago, probably around the same time we bid on the cruise line job where my sales dropped significantly. It was depressing. Emotionally downward spiraling. I went to a dark place. I realized that I was putting my self worth into who and what I was shooting. I ended up taking an emotional intelligence and leadership training in LA through 2013 and 2014 that reshaped the way I saw things. Helped me to be self aware of so many things personally that I was un aware of so I can change them for the better. It helped me to regain a new vision for my life and career. From there, it was about growing as much as I can personally because when we grow personally, it fuels our art. My hashtag, #CreateYourMoments is all about the mental decision to harness the power of CHOICE to create our lives from the smallest of moments. What we create stems from who we are as a person and who we are being first and foremost. This video, is an authentic representation of where I’ve come to “BE” in my life. I’ve done a lot of internal work to get to where I’m at today.
I’m humbled that MTV chose to feature me, my life, and all the projects I’m up to in this awesome video by LGTR Productions. Life is about Creating Your Moments, for moments are the only thing we walk away with at the end of the day.
Special thanks to Tyrrell Winston for making this happen! Also special thanks to the guys at BOTU for my favorite song, HULA HOOP on the soundtrack.







Staying fresh.
Good question. I’ll be doing a podcast on that in a while in my mini series. I was interviewing Usher, and the biggest thing he said that stuck out to me was Evolve or Evaporate. You’ve gotta keep re-inventing. Look at the greats that are still relevant. He is one of them. Madonna, U2, etc. They all have re-invented over the years.
The same applies to us. I think it’s the mindset. You have to stay hungry. Devour knowledge. Strive to be the best “person” you can be. I went through a time a couple years ago, probably around the same time we bid on the cruise line job where my sales dropped significantly. It was depressing. Emotionally downward spiraling. I went to a dark place. I realized that I was putting my self worth into who and what I was shooting. I ended up taking an emotional intelligence and leadership training in LA through 2013 and 2014 that reshaped the way I saw things. Helped me to be self aware of so many things personally that I was un aware of so I can change them for the better. It helped me to regain a new vision for my life and career. From there, it was about growing as much as I can personally because when we grow personally, it fuels our art. My hashtag, #CreateYourMoments is all about the mental decision to harness the power of CHOICE to create our lives from the smallest of moments. What we create stems from who we are as a person and who we are being first and foremost. This video, is an authentic representation of where I’ve come to “BE” in my life. I’ve done a lot of internal work to get to where I’m at today.
I’m humbled that MTV chose to feature me, my life, and all the projects I’m up to in this awesome video by LGTR Productions. Life is about Creating Your Moments, for moments are the only thing we walk away with at the end of the day.
Special thanks to Tyrrell Winston for making this happen! Also special thanks to the guys at BOTU for my favorite song, HULA HOOP on the soundtrack.

At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia.

Because this isn’t just a photoshoot. It’s a portal. If you’re here, you already know this isn’t about taking “pictures.” It’s about capturing essence. Crafting identity. Transmitting the frequency of who you are becoming. This is more than a brand refresh. It’s a visual rite of passage. And it begins with a simple, sacred step: […]

TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post Your Brand Lives in a Specific Universe A personal brand isn’t just what you offer — it’s the world you create around your work.That universe gets defined through imagery. Not only your presence, but the environments you inhabit. The textures that surround you. The quality of light […]

You’ve probably seen both. You might even think they’re the same thing. But there’s a fundamental difference between headshots and brand photography that changes everything about how your audience perceives you. One simply shows your face. The other tells your story. What Headshots Are Actually For A headshot has one job: identification. Think of it […]

TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post You Are the Brand If you’re still hiding behind your offer… If you’re still using a cropped wedding photo for your headshot… If you’re still telling yourself you need to “figure it all out first”… Let this be your permission slip: You are the face of your […]

TLDR | What You’ll Learn in This Post This Wasn’t Just a Tattoo I’ve wanted a tattoo from Balazs for years. Not because he’s popular, but because I knew this guy was channeling something real. When the time finally aligned, I didn’t just walk into a session. I stepped into a portal. The Intention: A […]

If you’re an entrepreneur, your personal brand isn’t just a logo — it’s your face, your energy, and the story you’re telling in every scroll. So when it comes to choosing a personal brand photographer, you don’t need someone who just “takes nice pictures.” You need someone who knows how to translate your identity into […]

TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post Your Location Isn’t Background — It’s Identity Where you shoot isn’t just about what looks cool. It’s about resonance. It’s about embodiment. It’s about visually designing a space that holds your energy. “Your brand visuals don’t just show who you are — they show the world you […]

A personal brand is not your logo. It’s not your colors. It’s not just your website. Your personal brand is the perception people have of you when you’re not in the room — shaped by your presence, your visuals, your voice, and how consistently you embody your values. It’s who you are and who you’re […]

TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post Your Brand Isn’t a Feed — It’s a Frequency We’ve all seen it: the influencer with polished photos but no soul. The brand that feels like a mask. That’s not personal branding — that’s performance. A real personal brand? It’s how you live. It’s what you do […]

A Brand Isn’t Just a Logo — It’s a Mirror Your personal brand isn’t a website, a color palette, or a polished grid. It’s an evolving expression of who you are — and who you’re becoming. More than that, it’s a container. A space that calls you to rise. To embody your message. To stay […]

Let’s put it this way: If you want stiff headshots in a gray suit against a beige wall — probably not. If you want a photoshoot that feels like an editorial spread, emotional breakthrough, and creative awakening all in one — then yes. Nick Onken is very good at what he does. What Makes Nick […]

Most First-Time Brand Shoots Miss the Mark — Here’s Why If you’re preparing for your first brand photoshoot, you’re likely focused on the obvious: outfits, lighting, maybe even the perfect smile. But what actually makes a photoshoot land is much deeper — and most people don’t know what to look for. And unfortunately, that’s why most first-time […]

The Problem With Traditional Brand Photograph Most brand photos are surface-level. They might be polished. Perfectly lit. Technically solid. But they lack soul. They don’t make you feel the person. They don’t communicate energy, depth, or identity. They look good — but they don’t resonate. And that’s a problem if you’re a thought leader, coach, speaker, author, or […]
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.