Brand Photography

Photographer, Educator, Former Therapist

Nicole Hodgson

of Nicole Hodgson Photography in San Joaquin + Sacramento CA

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From Therapist to Photographer: 3 Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything in My Business

By Nicole Hodgson

Before I became a photographer, I was a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I worked primarily with kids–helping them name emotions, navigate transitions, and feel safe being themselves. My work was rooted in trust and transformation. I thought when I started a photography business, that background would give me a head start.

And in many ways, it did. I understood people. I was great at making them feel comfortable. I knew how to listen.

What I didn’t expect was how much inner work running a business would require. At first, I was focused on doing everything “right”–responding to inquiries quickly, perfecting client experience, overdelivering at every turn. And while my business was growing, I could feel something was off. I wasn’t really showing up as me. I was hiding behind polished posts and safe choices.

That changed the year I had my third baby. I started waking up early–like really early–just to have a moment to myself before the day began. I’d pour my coffee, open my journal, and for 20 minutes, I would write. Sometimes it was a brain dump. Sometimes it was gratitude. Sometimes it was processing a fear I didn’t even know I had. That quiet morning habit cracked something open in me. I started noticing my thoughts, my patterns, the stories I’d been telling myself about what was possible, what I deserved, and how “visible” I was allowed to be.

And slowly, I began to shift.
Here are the three mindset shifts that have changed everything in my business:

What version of my business feels most aligned with the life I want to live?
Give yourself permission to answer honestly–there are no wrong answers, only starting points.

I stopped waiting to be ready. For years, I held back–telling myself I needed more experience, a stronger portfolio, a clearer brand. But the truth is, readiness doesn’t come from external validation. It comes from action. Once I started sharing my voice more through email, Instagram, and face-to-camera videos–even when it felt scary–my confidence caught up. I stopped trying to get everything perfect first. I just started.

I started seeing pivots as power, not failure.
One of the biggest shifts came this year: I transitioned from primarily photographing families to focusing on brand photography for women-led businesses. It felt bold and vulnerable, but also deeply aligned. My background as a therapist, my love of strategy, and my eye for storytelling–it all fits here. For so long, I believed changing course meant something had gone wrong. Now I see it as a sign of growth. A pivot isn’t the end of something–it’s a beginning rooted in clarity.

I began to believe my voice matters.
As a therapist, I helped others express their voice. But as a business owner, I kept mine quiet. Journaling helped me uncover the fears that were keeping me small–fears of being too much, not enough, or judged. With time, I started to believe that my story, my experiences, and my perspective weren’t just valid–they were valuable. Now, I show up with intention, not just in my work but in how I talk about my work. And that has changed everything.

These shifts didn’t happen all at once. They came gradually–through early mornings, honest reflection, and a willingness to look at what wasn’t working. But they’ve helped me build a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and true to who I am.

Today, I serve women who are also building something of their own. Many of them are stepping into visibility for the first time, launching a new offer, or refining their message. I get to help them show up with clarity and confidence–because I’ve done the work to do the same.

Mindset isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation. And it’s often the missing piece between “I want to grow” and “I’m actually doing it.”

If you’re in a season of questioning, shifting, or building–start where I did. One quiet moment. One honest page. One shift at a time.

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Nicole, tell us more about you….

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Nicole, before you go…

I like to end each blog post by asking all of my expert guests the same round of twelve “Get to Know You” Questions. These are just for fun, and allow us to get to know our Expert Blogger better.

1. Name one thing that you are proud of yourself for right now.  

Hiring a bookkeeper—finally. It had been sitting on my to-do list for way too long, and I kept putting it off, thinking I could manage it all myself. But taking that step felt like such a shift in how I see myself as a business owner.

2. A skill you’re currently working on mastering?

Budgeting with confidence and consistency.

3. Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

Canyoning in Interlaken, Switzerland. Absolutely wild—and so worth it.

4. A book that everyone should read?

Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s the kind of book you keep coming back to because it makes such a strong case for small, consistent action. It helped me realize that the tiny things I do every day—like journaling, walking, or showing up online—are what shape everything else.

5. Song you can listen to on repeat? 

Levels by Avicii. It’s had a hold on me since 2011, and it still puts me in a good mood every time (my favorite song to run to as well!). Also, anything by Maggie Rogers—her music feels like movement and emotion wrapped together, which speaks to me on so many levels.

6. What 3 words would your bestie use to describe you?

Supportive, driven and reliable

7. What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I grew up with parents who ran their cabinet business from our property. Both of them were home every day—so I’ve seen the entrepreneurial life up close since childhood.

8. One piece of advice that changed your life. Or the best compliment you’ve ever received?

“You’re a great writer.” – my high school English teacher. I still carry that with me.

9. What’s your favorite word in the English language? (curse words allowed)

Love and all of it’s variations.

10. What superpower you would want?

Teleportation. I’d skip the travel stress + jet lag and instantly be wherever I wanted to go- visit friends in different parts of the world for breakfast, my own bed by evening. Sounds like the dream.

11. Your dream place to visit?

Lake Como, Italy. I’ve been to many parts of Italy before, but that spot is one that is calling my name.

12. What is one thing you would like to be remembered for?

For supporting women—in their dreams, their transitions, and the quiet moments when they’re choosing to believe in themselves again. That kind of legacy would mean everything to me.

Some of the links included in this blog are affiliate links. It’s important to note that I only partner with and share products + companies that I love and personally use or have tested myself. If I recommend a product or service, you can trust that it is something I truly believe in.

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