Our life is based off of results in every category, such as relationships, money/finance, career, spirituality, etc. Those results come from the actions we take to get those results. Those actions come from the decisions we make to take those actions. The decisions we make come from the conversations in our heads, our self talk, our thoughts. We have over 100,000 conversations in our heads a day from the time we wake up, till the time we go to bed. All those thoughts of “what am I going to do today?” “Am I good enough for that?” “I can’t do that because of this.” “I suck” etc. On average, 80% of those thoughts and conversations are negative. Obviously, some people have more and some people have less, but if you take that statistic and think about the results that you’re achieving in your life, one would think they could be better no matter who you are. I know I’ve come to that realization in the last few months. I’ve realized that there are so many conversations and thoughts in my head that have held me back from my full potential and possibility especially in the arena of my creative career.
What results are you getting in your life that you would like to see different or improved? What relationships do you feel could be deeper and more connected? Do you live so much in your head that you get analysis paralysis and can’t make a decision? Do you live with self doubt in working with clients? Do you trust yourself in your decisions with business? How much does failing turn into self beatup, rather than learning how you can close the gap between what you envision and what results you are getting?
In the world of creative entrepreneurship, I know I have experienced many of these thoughts and questions and I still do.
Our life is based off of results in every category, such as relationships, money/finance, career, spirituality, etc. Those results come from the actions we take to get those results. Those actions come from the decisions we make to take those actions. The decisions we make come from the conversations in our heads, our self talk, our thoughts. We have over 100,000 conversations in our heads a day from the time we wake up, till the time we go to bed. All those thoughts of “what am I going to do today?” “Am I good enough for that?” “I can’t do that because of this.” “I suck” etc. On average, 80% of those thoughts and conversations are negative. Obviously, some people have more and some people have less, but if you take that statistic and think about the results that you’re achieving in your life, one would think they could be better no matter who you are. I know I’ve come to that realization in the last few months. I’ve realized that there are so many conversations and thoughts in my head that have held me back from my full potential and possibility especially in the arena of my creative career.
What results are you getting in your life that you would like to see different or improved? What relationships do you feel could be deeper and more connected? Do you live so much in your head that you get analysis paralysis and can’t make a decision? Do you live with self doubt in working with clients? Do you trust yourself in your decisions with business? How much does failing turn into self beatup, rather than learning how you can close the gap between what you envision and what results you are getting?
In the world of creative entrepreneurship, I know I have experienced many of these thoughts and questions and I still do.







Our life is based off of results in every category, such as relationships, money/finance, career, spirituality, etc. Those results come from the actions we take to get those results. Those actions come from the decisions we make to take those actions. The decisions we make come from the conversations in our heads, our self talk, our thoughts. We have over 100,000 conversations in our heads a day from the time we wake up, till the time we go to bed. All those thoughts of “what am I going to do today?” “Am I good enough for that?” “I can’t do that because of this.” “I suck” etc. On average, 80% of those thoughts and conversations are negative. Obviously, some people have more and some people have less, but if you take that statistic and think about the results that you’re achieving in your life, one would think they could be better no matter who you are. I know I’ve come to that realization in the last few months. I’ve realized that there are so many conversations and thoughts in my head that have held me back from my full potential and possibility especially in the arena of my creative career.
What results are you getting in your life that you would like to see different or improved? What relationships do you feel could be deeper and more connected? Do you live so much in your head that you get analysis paralysis and can’t make a decision? Do you live with self doubt in working with clients? Do you trust yourself in your decisions with business? How much does failing turn into self beatup, rather than learning how you can close the gap between what you envision and what results you are getting?
In the world of creative entrepreneurship, I know I have experienced many of these thoughts and questions and I still do.

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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. […]
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.