Can you imagine living in a world where you didn’t know that washing your hands would prevent you from getting sick? Where you didn’t know that clean water could save your life? Where you didn’t know that education could support you in accessing your full potential?
I didn’t know this world existed until a few years ago.
In 2009, I connected with Adam Braun when he started an organization called Pencils of Promise. They build sustainable schools and education programs for kids in the developing world. Adam and I met when he had built his first school in 2009, and we just recently went to Ghana to celebrate the groundbreaking of PoP’s 200th school.
And wow was it emotional.
It really hit me at how much impact the organization has made, and my role as a photographer in bringing visibility to their cause. There are few things more touching and inspiring than interacting with the kids, seeing their joy, and experiencing their pure hearts and passion for learning.
At one point, a 12 year old boy got up to give a speech, thanking Pencils of Promise for helping the community.
He ended his speech with “I will make it. I will make it.”
It made me cry, and hit me at how much a difference we’ve all made through all our contributions. To me, this is the power of education. And the feeling of deep resonance. Of bliss. Of being high on a drug. It’s the bi-product of giving selflessly to help others. And just last week, I experienced how my role can make a difference in the world.
Giving back has been an ethos and mantra of mine since my journey began. In fact, it’s the very thing that fueled my passion of photography. While I believe everyone can give back in their own way, I discovered that giving my talent to make the world a better place was and is the way for me to contribute.
Having traveled to over 65 countries, the biggest need I see across the board is education. Education is the most fundamental gift that we take for granted in the first world, and I say that as I am the first to be guilty of this. Access to education is something that the majority of the world doesn’t even have, and it’s the first seed to realizing our potential.
So I ask you: How can you create impact in the world with your art or other talents? How can you partner with an organization that sees the value in what you do? How can you be creative in coming up with ways to give back to the world?
Beyond giving my talents of photography to the organization, and after seeing the impact first hand, I’ve decided to create a campaign to build a school. I would love for you to join me by donating to my fundraising page.
LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE
CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
Can you imagine living in a world where you didn’t know that washing your hands would prevent you from getting sick? Where you didn’t know that clean water could save your life? Where you didn’t know that education could support you in accessing your full potential?
I didn’t know this world existed until a few years ago.
In 2009, I connected with Adam Braun when he started an organization called Pencils of Promise. They build sustainable schools and education programs for kids in the developing world. Adam and I met when he had built his first school in 2009, and we just recently went to Ghana to celebrate the groundbreaking of PoP’s 200th school.
And wow was it emotional.
It really hit me at how much impact the organization has made, and my role as a photographer in bringing visibility to their cause. There are few things more touching and inspiring than interacting with the kids, seeing their joy, and experiencing their pure hearts and passion for learning.
At one point, a 12 year old boy got up to give a speech, thanking Pencils of Promise for helping the community.
He ended his speech with “I will make it. I will make it.”
It made me cry, and hit me at how much a difference we’ve all made through all our contributions. To me, this is the power of education. And the feeling of deep resonance. Of bliss. Of being high on a drug. It’s the bi-product of giving selflessly to help others. And just last week, I experienced how my role can make a difference in the world.
Giving back has been an ethos and mantra of mine since my journey began. In fact, it’s the very thing that fueled my passion of photography. While I believe everyone can give back in their own way, I discovered that giving my talent to make the world a better place was and is the way for me to contribute.
Having traveled to over 65 countries, the biggest need I see across the board is education. Education is the most fundamental gift that we take for granted in the first world, and I say that as I am the first to be guilty of this. Access to education is something that the majority of the world doesn’t even have, and it’s the first seed to realizing our potential.
So I ask you: How can you create impact in the world with your art or other talents? How can you partner with an organization that sees the value in what you do? How can you be creative in coming up with ways to give back to the world?
Beyond giving my talents of photography to the organization, and after seeing the impact first hand, I’ve decided to create a campaign to build a school. I would love for you to join me by donating to my fundraising page.
3/03/14
The Power of Giving Back
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT
GET THE DETAILS
GET THE DETAILS
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
PODCAST
BRAND INTELLIGENCE
CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE
LIFE INTELLIGENCE
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
Can you imagine living in a world where you didn’t know that washing your hands would prevent you from getting sick? Where you didn’t know that clean water could save your life? Where you didn’t know that education could support you in accessing your full potential?
I didn’t know this world existed until a few years ago.
In 2009, I connected with Adam Braun when he started an organization called Pencils of Promise. They build sustainable schools and education programs for kids in the developing world. Adam and I met when he had built his first school in 2009, and we just recently went to Ghana to celebrate the groundbreaking of PoP’s 200th school.
And wow was it emotional.
It really hit me at how much impact the organization has made, and my role as a photographer in bringing visibility to their cause. There are few things more touching and inspiring than interacting with the kids, seeing their joy, and experiencing their pure hearts and passion for learning.
At one point, a 12 year old boy got up to give a speech, thanking Pencils of Promise for helping the community.
He ended his speech with “I will make it. I will make it.”
It made me cry, and hit me at how much a difference we’ve all made through all our contributions. To me, this is the power of education. And the feeling of deep resonance. Of bliss. Of being high on a drug. It’s the bi-product of giving selflessly to help others. And just last week, I experienced how my role can make a difference in the world.
Giving back has been an ethos and mantra of mine since my journey began. In fact, it’s the very thing that fueled my passion of photography. While I believe everyone can give back in their own way, I discovered that giving my talent to make the world a better place was and is the way for me to contribute.
Having traveled to over 65 countries, the biggest need I see across the board is education. Education is the most fundamental gift that we take for granted in the first world, and I say that as I am the first to be guilty of this. Access to education is something that the majority of the world doesn’t even have, and it’s the first seed to realizing our potential.
So I ask you: How can you create impact in the world with your art or other talents? How can you partner with an organization that sees the value in what you do? How can you be creative in coming up with ways to give back to the world?
Beyond giving my talents of photography to the organization, and after seeing the impact first hand, I’ve decided to create a campaign to build a school. I would love for you to join me by donating to my fundraising page.
3/03/14
The Power of Giving Back
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
BOOK A BRAND PHOTOSHOOT
masterfully aligning perception and reality through personal branding
GET THE DETAILS
Hey! I'm Nick.
PHOTOGRAPHER
BRAND ALCHEMIST
TEACHER
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.
GET THE DETAILS
infuse your vision with a fresh breath of creativity and vitality
LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE
CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION
read the latest
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 […]
If you’re searching for the best personal brand photographer in New York, one name rises to the top: Nick Onken. Blending editorial sophistication with emotional storytelling, Nick’s work goes far beyond headshots. His Elevated Realism™ approach captures your highest self — magnetic, polished, and unmistakably you. 📍 A Photographer Who Knows NYC Intimately Nick spent 15 […]
One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is building their website, offers, or marketing before they’ve ever clarified their brand identity. They hire web designers before they’ve defined their vibe. They write sales pages without knowing the feeling their brand is meant to transmit. But everything — your website, your photos, your content, your brand world — should stem […]
For most people, a photoshoot is about looking good. For Nicky Clinch, it became a mirror for transformation. Nicky is a master maturation coach, author of Surrender, and co-leader of the Emanate Mastermind. When she came to me, her brand was successful—multiple seven figures, sold-out programs, a global community—but something wasn’t resonating. She had reached a plateau. […]
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.
