Artist Date with Nicole Romanoff: Conversations on Creativity, Courage, and Photography

What if success wasn’t about doing more, but about doing what matters most? In this episode of Artist Date, I sit down with wedding photographer Carissa Spencer to talk about creativity, burnout, motherhood, destination weddings, and the importance of slowing down in a world that constantly asks us to speed up. Carissa shares her journey of building a photography business on her own terms and why creating space for joy, presence, and personal growth has transformed both her work and her life.

In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Toronto-based photographer, studio owner, and educator Olga Pavlova. Olga shares her journey from leaving a career in law to building a thriving photography business and launching LightLab, her studio and education space for photographers. We talk about growth, burnout, social media pressure, and the evolving reality of running a creative business. This conversation is honest, grounded, and a reminder that success isn’t just about doing more, it’s about building a life and business that actually feels good to live in. Key Takeaways There’s no “perfect” path into photographyOlga’s journey from law into photography is proof that creative careers rarely follow a straight line. You can build multiple income streams as a photographerFrom shooting to education to studio ownership, diversification can create stability and growth. Growth comes with pressureScaling a business often brings new challenges, expectations, and internal stress to navigate. Burnout is real in creative industriesPushing constantly without intention can lead to exhaustion, even when things are going well. Social media is a tool, not the foundationIt can support your business, but it shouldn’t define your worth or creative direction. Your business should support your life, not consume itCreating balance is just as important as achieving success. Community and education can expand your impactTeaching and sharing knowledge can open new doors and deepen your connection to the industry. You’re allowed to redefine success at every stageWhat worked before may not be what you want moving forward, and that’s okay. Loved this conversation? Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share this with a photographer or creative who needs to hear it. Follow along on Instagram for more behind the scenes and updates:@nicoleromanoffphoto@artistdatepodcast You can also watch the full episode on YouTube. Just search Artist Date Podcast and subscribe to follow along visually.

A thoughtful conversation with wedding photographer Georgia Johnston on film, instinct, business lessons, and how to keep your work feeling alive after years behind the camera.

Calgary wedding photographer Zoe Snooks shares how blending documentary honesty with editorial creativity, saying no to misaligned clients, and letting go of perfection can transform both your work and your confidence.

In this episode of Artist Date, I sit down with Calgary-based wedding photographer Jackie Kalch to talk about building a career rooted in honesty, emotion, and lived-in storytelling, and how film, motherhood, and a technical background shaped the way she photographs real connection.

In this episode, I’m joined by legendary fashion and beauty photographer Chris Nicholls to talk about how to stand out when everyone’s a photographer. We dive into his journey from a shy, nature-loving kid with a camera to creating iconic fashion and celebrity imagery, and why experimentation is the secret ingredient behind work that stops the scroll. Chris shares what it takes to build trust fast on high-pressure sets, how he approaches complex lighting, and why “good” isn’t enough anymore if you want your photos to truly rise above the noise.

In this episode of Artist Date, Nicole sits down with Toronto-based fashion and commercial photographer Nick Merzetti for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, courage, and navigating a rapidly changing industry. From finding photography later in life after biotech and creative writing, to dealing with social anxiety, to the wild story of a single fashion show that changed his entire career, Nick shares honestly about what it really takes to make your own luck. They talk about AI as a tool (not a shortcut), staying creatively relevant as we age, exploring your inner artist, and why being a strong, compassionate “captain” on set matters more than having the fanciest gear. It’s an inspiring, grounded conversation for any photographer wondering how to keep making meaningful work in an uncertain future.

ashion and beauty photographer Alyssa Lancaster shares how moving to Toronto at sixteen set her on a path from photographing friends to shooting global campaigns for Tiffany & Co. and fashion weeks in Milan and New York—offering creatives insight on how to stay authentic, evolve artistically, and build a career grounded in intention, not imitation.

Toronto-based photographer Kayla Rocca shares how loss, resilience, and persistence shaped her creative path—from theatre student and Drake Hotel server to shooting Hollywood Reporter’s TIFF portrait studio and campaigns for Netflix, Airbnb, and Roots. We talk about how art became her therapy, the importance of networking with kindness, and how she built a career on trust, teamwork, and genuine curiosity rather than ego. Key Takeaways Grief can be a catalyst. Picking up a camera during loss became Kayla’s path to healing—and ultimately, her career. Say yes before you’re ready. Shooting everything early on taught her lighting, storytelling, and adaptability faster than any course. Kindness compounds. A simple follow-up email to an old connection led to her dream job at TIFF 10 years later. Teamwork builds confidence. Lighting techs, stylists, and digitechs aren’t background players—they’re creative partners. Drop the ego. Confidence comes from curiosity and collaboration, not knowing it all. Learn to price without fear. Knowing your worth changes how you show up, negotiate, and create. Follow your fuel. Shoot what excites you most—whether that’s celebrities, stories, or beauty—it all starts with passion. Loved this conversation? Subscribe to Artist Date wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a photographer or creative who’s ready to take bold steps in their career. Follow @nicoleromanoffphoto and @artistdatepodcast on Instagram for behind-the-scenes insights and more! Sign up for the weekly newsletter here! Watch on YouTube — click here to watch and subscribe!

As we wrap Season 1 of Artist Date, we’re closing out with a deeply grounding and thoughtful conversation with Calgary-based photographer, writer, and creative entrepreneur Jonathan Zoeteman. A Canon ambassador and co-founder of the creative community Socality and House A31, Jonathan shares insights on burnout, creative flow, and why the long game matters more than ever in our fast-paced world. In this episode, Nicole and Jonathan dive into how staying connected to curiosity, rest, and rhythm can help us avoid burnout and build more meaningful creative lives. From his first photo of a future NHL goalie to hosting large-scale community events with Canon, Jonathan’s journey is a testament to following your passion, building community, and staying true to yourself—without rushing the process. What to Expect: Jonathan’s early beginnings in photography and creative community building The origin and evolution of Socality and the power of in-person creative experiences Reflections on burnout, sustainability, and building “recovery systems” as a creative Writing on Substack and using personal reflections as creative practice The difference between creative output for validation vs. curiosity Becoming a Canon ambassador and the value of loyalty and long-term vision Why the “slow burn” is often the most rewarding path Key Quotes: “What are the things we need to do in life that bring us back into the flow, keep us in that river—which is where we're most creative, where we're most aligned?” “Photography found me. I never said I wanted to be a photographer. But looking back, I realize the signs were always there.” “You can’t live a meaningful creative life long-term without solving your own problems first.” “Creativity isn’t rocket science. It’s showing up, making something, shipping it—and doing it again.” Connect with Jonathan: Instagram: @jonathanzoeteman Substack: @jonathanzoeteman Socality Events: @socality Stay Connected Want more conversations like this in your inbox?📬 Sign up for the Artist Date Newsletter: Artist Date Newsletter Sign Up 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @artistdatepodcast Thank you for joining us for Season 1! We’ll be back in September with a brand new season full of honest conversations, creative truth-telling, and stories to inspire your next big leap. Until then, take time to rest, refill your creative well—and maybe even go on a few artist dates of your own.

In this episode of Artist Date, I’m joined by Adam Reiland, a Regina-based photographer who has made the leap from weddings and portraits into the world of commercial photography. We talk about the quiet pivot moments that often happen behind the scenes—the shoots that reignite your spark, the risks you take when you decide to shift your focus, and the inner permission you have to give yourself to evolve. If you’re a photographer considering a pivot into commercial work—or just craving a deeper creative connection to what you do—this is a must-listen. Key Quotes: “That one shoot cracked something open—it felt like I had finally created something that looked like what I wanted to be doing.”“There’s a difference between work that pays and work that pushes you forward. I’m learning to make room for both.”“You can’t step into a new chapter if you’re still clinging to the one that’s no longer serving you.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Adam made the transition from portraits and weddings to commercial/editorial photography What to pay attention to when you're craving a shift in your career Why making space for creative projects can open doors to new opportunities How to overcome the fear of inconsistency when your style or niche begins to shift Lessons from working with brands and the importance of saying no to the wrong work Connect with Adam:Instagram: @adam_reiland_photographyWebsite: https://www.adamreiland.com/ Connect with Nicole: Instagram: @artistdatepodcast and @nicoleromanoffphoto Join the Artist Date Community:Enjoyed the episode? If you loved this conversation, please subscribe to Artist Date, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow creatives! The next episode drops on Tuesday, June 3rd at 12:00 a.m. CST. Don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter for exclusive content and be the first to learn about the latest episodes! Organize your creative business with the tool I swear by – get 30% off HoneyBook at nicoleloveshoneybook.com

There’s no one way to build a creative career—and this week’s guest proves that beautifully. On this episode of Artist Date, host Nicole Romanoff sits down with Calgary-based architecture and interiors photographer Eymeric Widling, whose unconventional path into photography took him from journalism school, to the world of car culture, and eventually into designing magazine-worthy interior images. Whether you’re an emerging photographer, a creative stuck in comparison, or someone exploring your own niche, this episode is a masterclass in following your instincts and trusting your evolution—even when the path isn't linear. We explore: Why Eymeric left journalism and fell in love with image crafting over image capturing How photographing tuner cars became the perfect training ground for lighting interiors The difference between shooting for architects, builders, and interior designers His exact tools, tilt-shift lenses, and behind-the-scenes editing process Why he avoids trends, sticks to what works, and chooses to slow down This isn’t just about shooting beautiful spaces—it’s about building a career that reflects who you are. Key Quotes: “There are so many different ways to get from A to Z—and the best way is probably not the one someone else took.” “I think of what I do as crafting images, not just capturing them.” “What works for someone else’s business, gear, or style doesn’t always translate. Know yourself, and build from there.” “My clients aren’t just hiring me to take a photo of a room. They’re hiring me to show how that room feels.” “Sometimes the best frame isn’t the perfect view—it’s the perfect story.” Connect with Eymeric Widling Instagram: @eymeric.widlingWebsite: eymericwidling.com Stay in the Creative Loop Get behind-the-scenes updates, creative lessons, and early access to upcoming episodes by signing up for the Artist Date newsletter: Sign Up Here! Follow along on Instagram at @artistdatepodcast Artist Date is available wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode inspired you, forward it to a friend or creative peer—it’s a reminder that there’s no formula, just your own unique way forward.

Signup for a Flodesk trial and save 50%: nicolelovesflodesk.com Toronto-based dance photographer Aidan Tooth never set out to go viral — but after picking up a camera during the pandemic, she grew a TikTok following of over 35,000 and racked up more than 2 million views on her creative dance photography videos. That online visibility opened major real-world doors, landing her partnerships with brands like Samsung and helping her carve out her own standout space in the competitive world of dance photography. In this inspiring conversation, we dive into how Aidan transitioned from dancer to photographer, how she built her audience from scratch, and the lessons she learned about trusting herself, standing out, and turning passion into lasting opportunity.Whether you're building your photography career, growing your brand online, or navigating a creative pivot, this episode is packed with real, actionable insights. Key Moments from the Episode: (1:29) Aidan’s dance background and how the pandemic sparked her photography career (7:00) Learning photography through self-portraits during lockdown (10:42) How she directs dancers and why her dance training gives her a unique edge (18:02) How landing a brand deal with Samsung changed her career (23:30) Dance photography trends and standing out without comparison (26:38) Her editing process, favorite lighting gear, and shooting style (30:26) Struggles with imposter syndrome, burnout, and setting boundaries (34:50) Going viral on TikTok and the unexpected impact on her career (38:10) Aidan’s top advice for creatives just starting out (39:06) Her vision for the future and exploring new creative directions Favorite Quotes: "Photography was always something I wanted to do, but I never had the time to dive into it — until the world stopped." "Every shoot teaches you something new — the key is just to keep showing up." "Being comfortable in front of the camera is number one — you can tell when someone truly feels at ease." "You don't need to reinvent the wheel. If it’s working and it feels like you, keep going." "Saying no has been one of the hardest but most important things I've learned to do." Follow Aidan Tooth: Instagram: @aidan.tooth TikTok: @aidantoothphotography Website: www.aidantooth.com Follow Artist Date: Instagram: @artistdatepodcast Follow Artist Date: Sign up for the Artist Date Newsletter Call to Action: Loved this conversation?It would mean so much if you subscribed, left a review, or shared this episode with a friend who needs a little inspiration.Tag us when you listen — we love hearing what stood out to you!