Meet Stephanie Nicosia-Vannatta | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Nicosia-Vannatta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Although I enjoyed a successful career in the dental field I still craved more than my 9am-5pm office job. My true dream was to become a photographer and I had major regret about not pursuing it.

Now I am living my true passion of creating art through photography everyday.

I truly love getting to connect with so many different people. It makes my extroverted heart happy!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From 2017-2019 I lived in Juneau, Alaska. While immersed in the grandeur and beauty of it I began my photography journey.

Eventually, I took the risk to say goodbye to my dental career. I moved back home to California and got my A.S . in Photography at 31 years old. I got married to my longtime sweetie, had our baby, and stayed home for 1 year to raise her.

Starting in January of this year I attended my first photography workshop to network and get content for my Instagram page and since then I have been busy educating myself investing in mentorships and photographing as much as I can.

What sets me apart from others is I am not afraid to put myself out there and I genuinely want to connect with people. I want to make relationships with people in my community who are like minded and supportive of other entrepreneurs.

I get excited with whoever I am working with on whatever it is they are passionate about too! I love to nurture talents in other people and love when we can collaborate and bring out the best creative ideas out of each other.

I am always looking to grow and learn from others, and I learned the best way to learn is just to do the dang thing!

The hardest part has been being new in an industry and the feeling of having to catch up to my peers and other artists I admire. I am just trying to be the best version of me and not compare myself to others. I have learned to stay humble and that through working hard and consistently I will gain more experience and credibility.

In all honesty I am still finding out what my brand is. I am just Stephanie but those who know me will probably say I am their goofy friend that they can trust to always have their back, make them laugh, give them a hug, or say a prayer when needed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots to eat:

Miyako Sushi in Glendora – Favorite Rolls: 007 roll & Pedro Roll

Northwoods Inn in West Covina- Steak & Lobster Dinner with Famous Cheese Bread

The Donut Man in Glendora- Famous Strawberry Donut or Tigers Tail

Downtown Glendora Village – The Ice Cream Shop

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a few people I need to shoutout. I am so blessed in this life to have the amazing support system that is my parents Michael and Nancy Nicosia and my husband Harry Vannatta. Their unwavering belief and endless encouragement are what give me the wings to fly with confidence and pursue all my dreams. I know they would be there to catch me if I fall or fail and that support system is something I cherish most.

Also, I have to shout out to my mentors that encouraged me to get started , hired me, and taught me so much. Thank you so much to Rebekah Wallace of Wallace Media LLC. and Xochitl Llamas of Live Your Passions Studio.

Instagram: @sjnvphotographs

Facebook: SJNV Photographs