Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Thomson.
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
One could say my journey started at birth. Coming from a family of artists, I was surrounded by creativity from an early age, thanks in large part to my grandparents, who helped nurture my creative spirit.
It wasn’t until my junior year of college, however, that photography began to take shape in my life. I enrolled in a black-and-white film photography class, and around that same time, my grandfather gifted me his Canon AE-1. After graduation, I would pick up my camera here and there, often using photography as a creative outlet and a way to decompress. But it wasn’t until 2017 that everything clicked.
I remember picking up my camera and thinking, “Oh, this is what people mean when they say something just comes naturally.” It was a lightbulb moment. I had found a way to combine two of my favorite things: connecting with people and capturing their stories. There is something incredibly meaningful about making someone feel seen, and that has become one of my favorite parts of what I do.
Before photography became my full-time pursuit, I had worked in the tech and startup world. That experience gave me a strong business foundation, which I brought with me as I built my photography business. What started as a creative passion grew into something far beyond what I had ever imagined.
By 2019, I was traveling around the world, planning and photographing destination elopements and weddings. While I am perhaps best known for capturing intimate celebrations and outdoor adventures, my work has also expanded into food, travel, architecture, and evergreen brand content. The common thread through all of it is storytelling. Whether I’m documenting a couple exchanging vows in the mountains or creating imagery for a brand, my heart is in making connections and telling stories that resonate.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. My business grew much faster and far beyond what I ever envisioned, which brought its own set of challenges. Building a business is one thing; learning how to sustain it, evolve with it, and protect the creative passion that started it is another.
One of the bigger challenges in recent years has been navigating an industry increasingly shaped by social media, instant gratification, and the rise of AI. It feels as though we’ve become so accustomed to consuming content quickly that we’ve sometimes lost sight of the artistry, intention, and human connection behind it. Photography, to me, has never been just about creating a beautiful image. It’s about the experience, the emotion, the story, and the moments that can’t be replicated.
I’ve had to learn how to evolve with the industry without losing sight of what makes my work meaningful. Finding that balance between running a business, keeping up with an ever-changing digital landscape, and staying true to my creative vision has probably been one of my greatest challenges. Ultimately, it’s also reinforced why I do what I do: to create something intentional, meaningful, and lasting in a world that often moves too quickly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer and visual storyteller specializing in intimate weddings, destination elopements, and adventure-driven experiences. My work is rooted in capturing the connection between people and the places that mean something to them. I’m drawn to the in-between moments, the quiet details, the unexpected, and the emotion that makes a photograph feel like a memory rather than simply an image.
While weddings and elopements are a large part of my work, my creative interests extend well beyond them. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph food, travel, architecture, and create evergreen visual content for brands and hospitality properties. Regardless of the subject, my approach remains the same: thoughtful storytelling, an appreciation for natural beauty, and an emphasis on creating imagery that feels both timeless and intentional.
What I believe sets me apart is the combination of my artistic perspective and my ability to connect with people. I want the people I photograph to feel comfortable enough to be themselves, rather than feel like they’re performing for a camera. I think some of the most meaningful images happen when people forget I’m there. I’m equally passionate about the experience itself, whether that means helping a couple plan an adventure in the mountains or collaborating with a brand to bring its story to life.
I’m most proud of building a business that allows me to pursue creativity while creating meaningful connections with people all over the world. Having grown the business from the ground up, I’ve been able to combine my background in business and technology with my creative instincts to build something that is entirely my own. Ultimately, I want my work to evoke a feeling. Long after the moment has passed, I want someone to look at an image and be transported back to exactly how it felt to be there.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would consider myself a calculated risk-taker. I’m not necessarily someone who jumps without looking, but I do believe in recognizing opportunities and having the courage to pursue them, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was pursuing photography. I had never considered myself a “creative” in the professional sense.
My dad once described photography as an “unrealized dream,” and that has always stuck with me. Looking back, I think he recognized something in me that I hadn’t quite recognized in myself yet. Making a leap of faith, but with the business knowledge and strategic mindset I had developed in my previous career.
I think that’s how I view risk in general. You can do all the planning in the world, but at some point, you have to trust your instincts, take the leap, and give yourself the opportunity to see what you’re capable of. For me, the greatest risk would have been never finding out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mapandcompassphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapandcompassphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mapandcompassphotography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mapandcompassphotography621
