A Live Talk with Donatella Nicolini
I recently hosted a live conversation with the incredible Donatella Nicolini, a leading Italian portrait and maternity photographer, and it was packed with insights—especially for those of you still trying to figure out your path in photography.
We talked about how your style and niche aren’t always something you pick right away. Often, they find you—through trial, experimentation, and a lot of real-world experience.
Donatella’s Start: Learning What You Don’t Like
Donatella began young, working for a photography company that taught her the business side of things—how to sell prints and products, how to deal with clients. She admitted that she didn’t enjoy the sales part at all back then. But looking back, she sees how important it was. That experience built the foundation for everything she does now. Even the things she disliked helped her grow.
Maternity photography wasn’t part of some long-term vision. It started with a simple request from a client. Donatella said yes, prepared for the session, and discovered how fulfilling it could be. That one job turned into a spark that shifted her entire direction. A small step became a turning point.
This post is a little mix of everything we talked about — the struggles, the real-life challenges, and some solutions that have helped us (and might help you too). This is the link to the recorded LIVE on INSTAGRAM.
My View on the Natural Growth of a Photographer
I truly believe the most natural way to grow as a photographer is by starting with everything. In the beginning, you say yes to every opportunity—weddings, baptisms, outdoor shoots, portraits, product photos, cake smashes, events… basically any customer who’s willing to work with you. And that’s not a bad thing! You’re learning, gaining experience, and figuring out what excites you most.
Then, slowly, things begin to shift. You start to:
- Decide between natural light and studio light
- Choose whether to run a home studio or go on-location
- Think about whether you prefer organized sessions or event coverage
- Define your work schedule—weekends or weekdays, full-time or part-time
From there, you notice one genre pulling you in more than others. You do it more. You get better at it. You become known for it. That’s when you start mastering it.
But the journey doesn’t stop there.
Once you master a genre—like I did with newborn photography—you often realize you want to go deeper, to define your own style. That’s when the real transformation begins. You focus on:
- How you retouch
- How you use light
- How you pose and style your clients
- And how you serve them in your own unique way
That’s exactly how I transitioned from a general newborn photographer who also did family and cake smash sessions—to a maternity photographer with a strong, recognizable style. And now, I feel I’m entering a new phase: I want to be known as a bold, creative portrait photographer who also does maternity. My niche isn’t just about the subject anymore—it’s about the style.
So, What Should You Do?
If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to try everything. Say yes to the work. Get your hands dirty. That chaos is how you grow. That chaos is how you find your thing.
And if you find that you actually love doing a little bit of everything, embrace that! That might be what sets you apart on the market.
There’s no single right way to grow in photography. But listening to your instincts, staying curious, and being open to change? That’s always a good path.
Let’s get back to what we love: If you’re feeling stuck with your workflow, marketing, or even how you pose and direct your sessions, I’ve got something that might help:
FLY ON THE WALL – Live Maternity Photoshoot Experience | JUNE 26TH, 2025
Can’t make it live? No problem — it’ll be recorded and saved inside my Online Academy, so you can watch it whenever it suits you.
SPECIAL OFFER just for blog readers: Use code LIVE20 at checkout for 20% off.
If you are interested in in person photography workshops, here is the link to all the available locations: MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP.
386 Google reviews