Last week was impactful.
Not only on me, but waves were made in the world. Historic waves. Very rare is it that you see such a big artist step into activism and create a song performed and listen to by millions of people about a subject like Social Injustice.
If you haven’t heard Usher’s new song CHAINS, it’s a strong one, but beyond the sound is the message it’s carrying. The song is meant to make the public aware of the social injustice and police brutality. They created an interactive experience at chains.tidal.com where you have to watch the content to hear the song. In the experience, it shows the faces of victims of black lives that have been murdered in injustice.
Last week I got to photograph his performance on Tuesday at the Tidal show, where he debuted CHAINS. It was an amazing day, and powerful experience. He brought out the families of the victims in the video to see the show and have a special VIP experience. Who does that?
Usher cares about Legacy and making a difference in today’s world. He does what people of position should do to make the world a better place. Mentoring, giving back, raising awareness to causes and issues, etc. One of the few celebrities using their platform to create good in the world. Much respect.
The week ended with a chat at 92y with Usher and Harry Belafonte, legends and history being made. It was beautiful to see Harry as a mentor to Usher, speaking of his days with Martin Luther King and changing the world. Such a powerful conversation. Jay Z showed up to support as well which was huge.
I continue to be inspired by friends like this making an impact in the world. Using their art to create positive change. Experiences like this make me feel so blessed.
If you want to hear more of Usher’s perspective on life, check out my podcast interview with him at shoptalkradio.com/ep38
Last week was impactful.
Not only on me, but waves were made in the world. Historic waves. Very rare is it that you see such a big artist step into activism and create a song performed and listen to by millions of people about a subject like Social Injustice.
If you haven’t heard Usher’s new song CHAINS, it’s a strong one, but beyond the sound is the message it’s carrying. The song is meant to make the public aware of the social injustice and police brutality. They created an interactive experience at chains.tidal.com where you have to watch the content to hear the song. In the experience, it shows the faces of victims of black lives that have been murdered in injustice.
Last week I got to photograph his performance on Tuesday at the Tidal show, where he debuted CHAINS. It was an amazing day, and powerful experience. He brought out the families of the victims in the video to see the show and have a special VIP experience. Who does that?
Usher cares about Legacy and making a difference in today’s world. He does what people of position should do to make the world a better place. Mentoring, giving back, raising awareness to causes and issues, etc. One of the few celebrities using their platform to create good in the world. Much respect.
The week ended with a chat at 92y with Usher and Harry Belafonte, legends and history being made. It was beautiful to see Harry as a mentor to Usher, speaking of his days with Martin Luther King and changing the world. Such a powerful conversation. Jay Z showed up to support as well which was huge.
I continue to be inspired by friends like this making an impact in the world. Using their art to create positive change. Experiences like this make me feel so blessed.
If you want to hear more of Usher’s perspective on life, check out my podcast interview with him at shoptalkradio.com/ep38







Last week was impactful.
Not only on me, but waves were made in the world. Historic waves. Very rare is it that you see such a big artist step into activism and create a song performed and listen to by millions of people about a subject like Social Injustice.
If you haven’t heard Usher’s new song CHAINS, it’s a strong one, but beyond the sound is the message it’s carrying. The song is meant to make the public aware of the social injustice and police brutality. They created an interactive experience at chains.tidal.com where you have to watch the content to hear the song. In the experience, it shows the faces of victims of black lives that have been murdered in injustice.
Last week I got to photograph his performance on Tuesday at the Tidal show, where he debuted CHAINS. It was an amazing day, and powerful experience. He brought out the families of the victims in the video to see the show and have a special VIP experience. Who does that?
Usher cares about Legacy and making a difference in today’s world. He does what people of position should do to make the world a better place. Mentoring, giving back, raising awareness to causes and issues, etc. One of the few celebrities using their platform to create good in the world. Much respect.
The week ended with a chat at 92y with Usher and Harry Belafonte, legends and history being made. It was beautiful to see Harry as a mentor to Usher, speaking of his days with Martin Luther King and changing the world. Such a powerful conversation. Jay Z showed up to support as well which was huge.
I continue to be inspired by friends like this making an impact in the world. Using their art to create positive change. Experiences like this make me feel so blessed.
If you want to hear more of Usher’s perspective on life, check out my podcast interview with him at shoptalkradio.com/ep38

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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 […]

Let’s cut to it: The cost of a personal brand photoshoot depends on one thing—the level of transformation you want to create. You can hire someone to take nice portraits. Or you can co-create an identity-elevating experience that reshapes how the world sees you. So… How Much Does It Cost? At the top of the […]

If you’re an entrepreneur, coach, or speaker looking to stand out online, then you know photography is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. But hiring the right personal brand photographer can feel overwhelming. With so many options, styles, and price points, how do you find the perfect fit for your vision? Let’s break it down […]
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.