Building a Creative Career while working Full time

A Little History: Editing Isn’t New Photo editing has always been part of photography. It didn’t magically appear with digital cameras or Photoshop. As early as the 1820s, photographers were experimenting with altering images using hands-on darkroom techniques. The first known example of photo retouching is believed to be from 1846, by Calvert Richard Jones. So let’s be clear: photo editing existed long before computers did. It began in the darkroom era of the 1800s, when pho

Turning my photography hobby into a small business wasn’t about chasing “bulk cash” or overnight success—it was about connection. From my first nervous market stall to rebranding as Nicole Kearns Photography, this journey has been filled with lessons, challenges, and unforgettable moments where people connected deeply with my prints. In this blog, I share why I decided to take the leap, what I’ve learned so far, and why photography will always be more than just a business for