I’ve heard bits and pieces of life hacking, where you can do things to create the life you want. One of my first introductions to the thought of life hacking was when I read Tim Ferris’ book, the 4 Hour Work Week. I’ve already began designing the lifestyle that I really wanted before I read the book, but it really solidified the direction I was heading and equipped me with some bigger ideas. Lifestyle design, it’s hacking your life and the lifestyle you dream of. There are so many different ways of practically doing that which Tim talks about in the book. But what about the internal processes that it actually takes to go there? The fears of failure, the people pleasing, the self doubt, and self trust that it takes to leave security for the life you want. Lets face it, the process of creating that lifestyle is not easy. There are a lot of things that are in the gap to jumping off that cliff. Then you throw in the world of creative entrepreneurship and making a living with your art, and you’ve got a whole other set of fears that come with that.
What about life hacking starting from the deepest of places? What about starting from the thoughts and negative conversations that run our lives, and create the decisions we make? What are the thoughts that keep us from truly connecting with people? Facing our fears is something we hide behind. This truly keeps us from living our dreams and being extraordinary. What does it take to A: Be self aware of the fears that live inside you, and B: Overcome those fears and become captain of those fear conversations that keep you from your dreams and creating. “The Resistance” as Steven Pressfield likes to call them in The War of Art.
Self Discovery can take years especially if you’ve found yourself in a downward spiral of negative thoughts. I’ve recently went through an emotional intelligence and leadership training that helped me to realize my fears. I learned where they come from and how to overcome them. If you can raise your level of emotional intelligence, you can conquer your fears and achieve your dreams faster. I’ve discovered a whole new world of possibility through the process. Do they ever go away? No, but I now know in a more detailed way what I face, and how to overcome them on a daily basis. Conquer your fears, and you in-turn start living in possibility instead of limitation. Not being driven by fear allows you to fully go for your dreams. The Ultimate Life Hack in my book.
I’ve heard bits and pieces of life hacking, where you can do things to create the life you want. One of my first introductions to the thought of life hacking was when I read Tim Ferris’ book, the 4 Hour Work Week. I’ve already began designing the lifestyle that I really wanted before I read the book, but it really solidified the direction I was heading and equipped me with some bigger ideas. Lifestyle design, it’s hacking your life and the lifestyle you dream of. There are so many different ways of practically doing that which Tim talks about in the book. But what about the internal processes that it actually takes to go there? The fears of failure, the people pleasing, the self doubt, and self trust that it takes to leave security for the life you want. Lets face it, the process of creating that lifestyle is not easy. There are a lot of things that are in the gap to jumping off that cliff. Then you throw in the world of creative entrepreneurship and making a living with your art, and you’ve got a whole other set of fears that come with that.
What about life hacking starting from the deepest of places? What about starting from the thoughts and negative conversations that run our lives, and create the decisions we make? What are the thoughts that keep us from truly connecting with people? Facing our fears is something we hide behind. This truly keeps us from living our dreams and being extraordinary. What does it take to A: Be self aware of the fears that live inside you, and B: Overcome those fears and become captain of those fear conversations that keep you from your dreams and creating. “The Resistance” as Steven Pressfield likes to call them in The War of Art.
Self Discovery can take years especially if you’ve found yourself in a downward spiral of negative thoughts. I’ve recently went through an emotional intelligence and leadership training that helped me to realize my fears. I learned where they come from and how to overcome them. If you can raise your level of emotional intelligence, you can conquer your fears and achieve your dreams faster. I’ve discovered a whole new world of possibility through the process. Do they ever go away? No, but I now know in a more detailed way what I face, and how to overcome them on a daily basis. Conquer your fears, and you in-turn start living in possibility instead of limitation. Not being driven by fear allows you to fully go for your dreams. The Ultimate Life Hack in my book.







I’ve heard bits and pieces of life hacking, where you can do things to create the life you want. One of my first introductions to the thought of life hacking was when I read Tim Ferris’ book, the 4 Hour Work Week. I’ve already began designing the lifestyle that I really wanted before I read the book, but it really solidified the direction I was heading and equipped me with some bigger ideas. Lifestyle design, it’s hacking your life and the lifestyle you dream of. There are so many different ways of practically doing that which Tim talks about in the book. But what about the internal processes that it actually takes to go there? The fears of failure, the people pleasing, the self doubt, and self trust that it takes to leave security for the life you want. Lets face it, the process of creating that lifestyle is not easy. There are a lot of things that are in the gap to jumping off that cliff. Then you throw in the world of creative entrepreneurship and making a living with your art, and you’ve got a whole other set of fears that come with that.
What about life hacking starting from the deepest of places? What about starting from the thoughts and negative conversations that run our lives, and create the decisions we make? What are the thoughts that keep us from truly connecting with people? Facing our fears is something we hide behind. This truly keeps us from living our dreams and being extraordinary. What does it take to A: Be self aware of the fears that live inside you, and B: Overcome those fears and become captain of those fear conversations that keep you from your dreams and creating. “The Resistance” as Steven Pressfield likes to call them in The War of Art.
Self Discovery can take years especially if you’ve found yourself in a downward spiral of negative thoughts. I’ve recently went through an emotional intelligence and leadership training that helped me to realize my fears. I learned where they come from and how to overcome them. If you can raise your level of emotional intelligence, you can conquer your fears and achieve your dreams faster. I’ve discovered a whole new world of possibility through the process. Do they ever go away? No, but I now know in a more detailed way what I face, and how to overcome them on a daily basis. Conquer your fears, and you in-turn start living in possibility instead of limitation. Not being driven by fear allows you to fully go for your dreams. The Ultimate Life Hack in my book.

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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. […]

Los Angeles is packed with creatives. But when it comes to personal brand photography, Nick Onken stands in a category of his own. He’s not just snapping pretty pictures. He’s crafting transformation. With a focus on visual storytelling and strategic brand elevation, Nick’s shoots go far beyond portraits. Every session is a creative collaboration—designed to […]

Introduction Lewis Howes, host of The School of Greatness and bestselling author, was ready to elevate his personal brand with a visual identity that matched his next chapter of leadership. He had already built a massive platform. But he was stepping into a deeper, more embodied version of his brand—one that integrated emotional intelligence with […]

Leadership isn’t just something you declare — it’s something people feel the moment they see you. And in a world where your first impression often happens online, your photos need to do more than look good. They need to position you as a leader. A personal brand shoot isn’t about winging it with cute outfits […]
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.