Check Out April Nicole’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Nicole.

Hi April, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I believe that the places I’ve lived (and the people I’ve met along the way) have contributed a lot to shaping the person I am today. I was born in California, raised in Dallas, and lived in Italy for six years before coming to Miami in 2019. As only child, I spent a lot of my youth exploring my imagination – singing, drawing, dancing, dressing up. These days I’m grateful that my natural “artist inclination” not only persists but also fills me with energy to create art and support other artists in my community every day.

Music has always been my truest and purest love. It all started with singalongs in the car with my parents growing up. My dad put me on rock while my mom brought classic oldies and Latin influences. In junior high I joined a choir – and my love for classical music was born. By the time I got to college, I was splitting my focus evenly between opera and jazz. No matter the genre or the reason, I’ve always felt music in my soul. Photography, however, was a new passion that blossomed in beautiful Italy. I ran away to Rome for love when I was 23, and the city filled me with endless inspiration. I got a camera and photographed everything and everyone just for the love of it. Exotic foreign friends in front of Renaissance palaces, charming old Italian ladies having a morning coffee, rolling hillsides and vineyards from train windows… I learned as I went along – and, somehow, I eventually ended up here.

I’ve spent three years in Miami and this city has been so very good to me. I’m constantly inspired by the ambition, drive, and creativity within our local community. I feel so fortunate to be here creating art with amazing people everyday. Photographing weddings, engagement shoots, and events. Creating visual content for local artists, entrepreneurs, and business owners. Experimenting with creative teams on music videos, conceptual shoots, and campaigns. Curating events, playing music with great instrumentalists, and collaborating with talented locals every chance I get.

Some people have tried to tell me that I should choose one or the other, music or photography. I shouldn’t do both, they say. But, honestly, I’m living the artist’s life. Creating and connecting when and where I can. It’s a beautiful kind of chaos and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Relocating from Italy to Miami was a challenge in that I had to leave the network I had spent six years building there. I had recurring photography clients, I had a team of makeup artists and stylists that I would regularly work with, and I had lots of locations to shoot at. Coming to Miami, I really had to step up my marketing game, to network and meet new people, find new clients, and generally get my bearings. But I’m finally feeling more established here!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multi-passionate creative.

A musician, photographer, videographer, editor, creative director, event curator, production assistant, set stylist, wardrobe stylist, copywriter, marketing specialist… and I like to paint sometimes. I know, it’s a lot. But “artist” is not just my occupation; it’s my lifestyle.

Funny enough, the thing that makes me most proud as an artist is a smiling face. When I’m performing and look out from the stage to see people laughing and dancing and singing along. Or when I’m photographing a wedding or engagement and get to capture special, happy moments. Or when I send my clients their final image galleries or videos, and they reply telling me how much they love them.

A big part of my mission as an artist is to help spread joy. It’s something everyone can share.

How do you define success?
Success is simply finding a way to be happy (at least most of the time). I believe, if you can be grateful for all the things you DO have and take time to do the things that fill you up with love and excitement, then you’re well on your way to success.

Image Credits

Photos 1 & 2 by @ikigai_photo Photo 4 by Aminta Paiz Photo 5 by Daniela Reyes Photo 8 by Tony Garcia