Meet Heidi Ziemann | Photographer & Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Ziemann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi, why did you pursue a creative career?
I had quite a rough childhood growing up. I think creativity was always my way of escaping. I was very blessed to be able to attend performing arts schools. This allowed me much more of an opportunity to explore various types of arts. I played violin for many years, I took drama/acting, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, general art and photography. I also was involved in multiple different sports. I loved and appreciated each of these activities for different reasons, however, photography always stuck a little bit harder. There is something so beautiful about artistically being able to freeze time and hold onto a memory a little bit longer. As a child I would rummage through my grandmother’s old photos and create scenes in my head of what was happening when the image was taken. Now I’m able to capture those memories for other people and it gives me such a greater appreciation for life. It’s so fulfilling giving your client back their photo gallery and later seeing those images that you created for them being hung up in their homes, shared on social media, sent as holiday cards, etc. I’ve captured many important milestones for people from birth to graduations to weddings. It’s truly such a special job to have.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is my desire to remain organic. I always want to capture organic moments. I don’t do posed or studio photography for a reason. I want real, organic interaction. I want families to laugh, play, cry, etc. I want raw emotion. I think those things are what captures authentic moments. One thing I’m most proud of is my desire to constantly learn and become better. Being a photographer isn’t linear. Things are always changing rather that is with equipment, editing or branding. Your thought process and creativity always changes. I think that’s the beautiful thing about photography, you don’t have to stick to one genre or one style.
Getting to where I am professionally has not been an easy road. Choosing to start a business is hard but choosing to start a business that is in the creative/artistic realm has its own set of challenges. There are a lot of moments where you will compare yourself to other creatives and question what you are doing wrong. There are moments where you won’t feel like your work is good enough. There are also moments where other people will make you feel those things as well. For instance, pricing. A lot of photographers and/or other types of artists will tell you that pricing is such a defeating subject to discuss or sit down with. In a way, you need a bit of tough skin. You have to be able to sit down and believe in your value because there will definitely be people who will make you question it and make you feel unworthy. The biggest lesson I’ve learned throughout that is that not everyone has to have the same value in me as I have in myself. It’s actually okay that they don’t. This way you will attract the people that you are meant to attract. Your job will never feel like a job. The excitement and love you have for your work will never get burnt out. In return, you will truly start to appreciate every aspect of your business.
At the end of the day, I don’t want people to remember me as the girl with the camera who snapped their child’s first birthday photos. I want them to remember the way I interacted with their families, the way I made them feel, the way I wanted them to be included in every single aspect of their sessions, the way I take the time to get to know each of them, how I will gladly go out of my way and show their curious littles how to snap photos or what the back of my camera looks like. I want to create positive experiences. I want to show people that even when you feel like giving up, it’s important to keep pushing through the rough patches. If I can inspire one person to pick up their camera (or whatever else it may be), then I think I’ve done a pretty grand job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Living in Southern California is a boatload of fun because we have everything you could think of. Residents don’t really do the usual touristy things, but we LOVE to take our out of state friends and family on the fun little touristy trips. There is so much personality, beauty and incredible humans that live in this state it’s impossible to get bored. A lot of people who come visit (for the first time especially) immediately want to go to Hollywood. I think this is a given. That’s usually at the top of the itinerary in some way, shape or form. I will always drag my friends to Griffith Park. The observatory is one of my most favorite places in the world. The views are stunning, I could never get tired of them. A hidden gem I absolutely love is the Old LA Zoo, it’s a must. Especially for those creative friends because it just draws a different type of amazement out of them. A trip to The Grove is always a must. There has to be a stop at Doomie’s Home Cookin’ for the best vegan food to ever be eaten followed by drinks in the evening at Saddle Ranch. Alfred’s is an adorable little coffee shop on Melrose, trust me when I say that their Vanilla Latte is the latte of your dreams if you like sweet coffee. Crumbs and Whisker’s is another cute little spot to not only get coffee but you get to also play with (& potentially take home) kittens and cats that are up for adoption.
The beach is another must. Hello, it’s California. Santa Monica is fun for first timers but I tend to persuade people to skip Santa Monica and go up to Malibu. Malibu not only has stunning beaches and hikes, but the drive is beautiful as well. Driving PCH with the music up and windows open is a form of therapy that I hope everyone gets a chance to experience at least once in life. My beach of choice is forever Point Dume. It has stunning views. You can hike, swim, surf, rock climb and even observe wildlife. There is no shortage of those cute little California Seal Lions, dolphins and if you go on a good day you will even see whales breeching not far from the shore.
If you are looking for more thrilling adventure’s Universal Studios and Disneyland are my top choices, of course. Some of my favorite SoCal gems include The Last Bookstore, Barnsdall Park, Grand Central Market, Aquarium of the Pacific, Tiki Ti, Balboa Island down in Newport as well as Balboa Park in San Diego. Speaking of San Diego a trip to Coronado Island is my jam. You must stop and eat at Robert’s Jalapeños Mexican food because they have the BEST in town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my clients: without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I feel as though deeming you as clients isn’t really fair because most of you have become some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. You support me in every way possible. You trust me when I have crazy new ideas that I’m dying to get creative with. You are constantly booking me to the max. You show me constant love and appreciation on the days that I don’t even value myself. You all have left permanent imprints on my life and have welcomed me into your homes, your lives and treated me more like family than your photographer.

To my best friend, Dre: you’ve been with me through some of the toughest ups and downs I’ve could’ve ever gone through. You’ve been with me through loss, love, heartbreak, depression, and every important success I’ve had in my adult life. You’ve shown me constant love and support. You’ve pushed me when I didn’t even have the energy to push myself. You’ve loved me when it was hard for me to see the light in the world. Not only that but you’ve accepted me into your family and made sure I’ve always had a place. I love you more than words.

To my therapist: you’ve seen me at my worst. You’ve seen me at my best. You’ve accepted me, never judged me and you have supported me in ways that no one else could. You’ve walked me through my healing journey. You’ve guided me, you’ve taught me and you’ve allowed me to occasionally fall when needed. You’ve listened to my heartbreak, my dramatics and my complaining. The truth is therapy is such a selfless career. It’s one of those careers that you are either made for or you aren’t. It’s also one of those careers that absolutely deserves the recognition and the appreciation, despite the job being done regardless of that. Thank you for supporting me and sitting with me through my best, my worst and everything in between.

To Lilly Singh: I already know this is cheesy but you’ve made me laugh when I didn’t think I’d ever be able to laugh again. You’ve motivated me. You’ve made me think differently and more constructively. You’ve taught me that you can come from a hard mental place and still reach your goals. You’ve taught me that not all struggles are bad. Without failure, how do we even learn? You’ve brought some of the most beautiful humans into my life. Those humans have become my true circle, near and far. Not only that, you’ve also been the reason for so many of my favorite memories. Words do not suffice. Thank you.

To the rest of my friends, my family and every other person that has come into my life, thank you. You have ALL contributed to where I am today. Without you, I would be nothing. I am forever grateful for you. I’m so lucky that you are in my life or that you were once in my life. I’ve learned from all of you in some way, shape or form. Thank you.

Website: www.heidinicolephoto.com

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