My name is Nadia and I’m the lead photographer behind @capturethemomentbynadia. I am based out of Edmonton, Alberta and work in the surrounding area as well. I’m a photographer specializing in family and wedding photography. Photography has been my biggest passion in life and I’m so grateful to be living out my dream, every single day.
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When did you start your business? Was there something or someone that inspired you?
I began my photography business 6 years ago, however, at the time I was working as a criminal law legal assistant. One day, my husband and I were walking through the electronic section in Costco and I came across an entry level canon camera with a lens kit. At that moment, I turned to him and said that I wanted to finally pursue my passion in photography and I haven’t looked back.
I have always dreamt of being a photographer my entire life and used to set up photo shoots with my sister at midnight, while everyone in our house was asleep and take photos of her for hours. Growing up with my group of friends, I was always the one with the camera, always the one who needed a photo of every moment and now we’re all left with the best memories (thanks to me!). It’s crazy to me that it’s almost been 6 years because at the time, I literally did not know how to turn on my camera, so it makes me proud of how hard I’ve worked and how much I’ve learned over the years.
My biggest inspiration comes from the scenery, fashion, and love. If you know me, you know I’m in love with love and to be able to document that in the most precious moments life has to offer is everything. After all, memories are all we are left with. I get really inspired by the location we shoot in and the outfits and wedding gowns my clients show up in.
Since becoming a mother this past year it’s really opened my heart to family photography as well. I’ve always shot families, but I never really knew the importance of documenting your children and your family dynamic until I became a mom and my son has really sparked and put that inspiration in me.
Would you say you reached all of your goals since you started or do you have more to achieve?
I don’t think you ever fully reach your goals if you’re a passionate person. I love to challenge myself and think outside the box and I think your goals change and evolve over time and you’re constantly setting new ones and trying to improve daily.
As a photographer your mind is always in creative mode and you’re always planning your next shoot and always trying to be better.
What are the ups and downs when dealing with the Arab community?
I’m incredibly grateful to our community.
I started a business 6 years ago not knowing anything and they’ve made my dreams come true over and over again every day since then. They’ve taken “word of mouth” to new heights and I owe my success to my Arab community and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me over the years.
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What would you change if you had to do it all over again?
I wouldn’t have changed a thing. not a thing!
My journey to get to where I am now has been a long one. I’m self taught so it took me a lot longer to learn the ins and outs and when I first started there wasn’t all the workshops and YouTube videos that are available today. I’m still learning daily, but it’s made my journey so much sweeter to see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve really grown.
I’ve worked so incredibly hard and put in countless hours into educating myself (and still do) and have put my heart into creating images my clients love and it is worth every single second of it.
What challenges has Covid-19 brought to you and your business and how did you overcome them?
Covid came at a time when I was about to gear up after being on maternity leave for 7 months and I was so excited to get back into photography mode. I think Covid was a blessing though. It allowed me to really soak up moments with my son and stay at a slow pace for a long time.
That being said, it definitely slowed down business, but I am thankful that photographer’s were still able to operate under certain restrictions.
I know there were many businesses that had to shut down repeatedly and how much distress that put on business owners so I’m grateful to have been able to keep going, even if it was at a slower pace.
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