Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelly Cirminello.
Hi Nelly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I never thought I’d be a full-time photographer or have a photography business.
Back when I started working, I was living in Brownsville, TX, in the Rio Grande Valley. That is 9 hours away going south, right on the border with Mexico.
I was always the artist type, but art opportunities back then were not a thing in that area, so I started my career working as a customer service agent, taking phone calls, and from there I became a call center trainer. Afterwards, I transitioned into Education. I became a teacher, and I taught English, Art, and Spanish on both sides of the border. My last year in education was 2018, and it was a particularly hard one. I decided to change my career again and find something that I really liked and that made my artist heart happy.
I had found online a program about Boudoir Photography Business about a year prior, and I had been following it to figure out what it really was about. Boudoir Photography was non-existent in my area up to that point. When I found out that Boudoir was about encouraging women and helping them see their beauty, I felt that, yeah, this was a message I could get behind, and something I could definitely do.
I started working full time in my Boudoir studio, Night Flower Boudoir, shortly after I finished my teaching contract. I started it in my mom’s spa. From there, I moved it to my then-home in Harlingen, TX, where it grew until I was able to move it into a commercial studio location.
When my husband and I moved to DFW in 2022, I decided to restart my business here. So my business has moved a lot in the last couple of years, but I enjoy this work so much, that I’ll take it with me wherever I go.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road getting to where I am now. Some of the struggles I encountered along the way have been lack of support and being misunderstood and mislabeled in my mission with Boudoir. Some people have looked at me wrong when I’ve mentioned that I’m a Boudoir photographer. I’ve been called some ugly titles out there and that hurt. Some people with time have changed their perspective about my work and it is now more accepted. And then there are still some haters out there.
Also, starting working in photography taught me at that time that I didn’t know all I needed yet to be the type of photographer I wanted to be. I needed further instruction. So I learned photography from my closest mentor, who is my husband, and from many photographer educators, as well as eventually getting certified as a Professional Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America.
Lastly, I also have had some struggles with the business itself. When I started it, I knew I wanted to have it, but I had no idea of what it took to make it grow. I had zero knowledge about marketing and sales. I had studied art and English language art in college, not business. Once I learned more, things got easier, but then I had to also learn to navigate the highs and lows of business. Also, realizing that sometimes not the best photography gets the job, but the best marketing- that was also an education.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I love the most about my work is that I get to work with women, spend time with women. I get to hear their stories, be their friend. I get to encourage them and help them see past what they feel are flaws or imperfections, and show them their beauty. I get to see them light up, believe in themselves, and transform before my very eyes into a more confident version of themselves that the one who walked into my studio.
Most people know me for my work in Boudoir Photography. My work has been called beautiful, sexy, and powerful. And I love it. It is my primary type of work. I also do Portraits and Maternity. These I also love.
I love my work. I love the niches I’ve picked for myself. But my specialty and super power is in working with people, working with women especially; helping them feel comfortable, not just with me but comfortable with themselves, feel good about themselves, enough to come out of their shell, and shine in front of my camera.
I’m very proud to say that people come into my studio and they feel taken care of. They feel like they can trust me, they can tell me the truth about themselves, and we can create together the work that speaks to their hearts. I’m also proud of the work itself, I create more than pretty pictures, but art, and art that is confidence-building for everyone I work with.
What sets me apart from others is me, my care, my level of experience, professionalism, expertise, creativity, etc.
I care deeply for my clients. They are people. I’ve had the opportunity to stay connected to many of them, even after the session is over, and I am there for them, whether it is to plan their next session or for anything they need me in their life, even if its just to be their FB friend and hype person. In other cases, I’ve had the opportunity to develop closer friendships with some of them. But regardless or whether that happens or not, they can count of me being always friendly, warm, and human, understanding of their needs.
I am good at what I do. I’ve been doing this for 7 years now, and I’m always looking to improve, trying to make things better for my clients, as well as pushing y work to be better as well. My clients don’t have to wonder if they’ll like their pictures. They’ll love their pictures. And they’ll receive excellent service, even before their session starts.
I’ve been an artist all my life, first a natural artist, then a trained one. My creativity and artistic eye are mine. And now I get to create with light, color, fashion styling, and emotion, and every session is personalized for every client.
My attention to detail and expert posing guidance also play a part. Apart from being a photographer, I am also a model. I’ve walked for Dallas Fashion Week multiple times, done other shows, I’ve worked with photographers in studio, I understand posing in a deeper level, and can help people look confident and powerful, like a model, without them having to become one. I don’t just put them through the same poses, like a machine. I SEE THEM. I find the beautiful and attractive little things and the big things, and the things they didn’t even see in themselves, and I capture that.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Matamoros, Mexico, in a conservative Christian family. My parents were strict, but loving, and worked so hard and gave everything for my brother and me to have a better life, here in the States. Growing up we were always close with family, with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We were always together.
My parents, apart from instilling strong family values, they also taught me about the love of God, since childhood, and thanks to that I have placed my faith in Jesus, and I am so grateful. I became a Christian when I was 16, and God has been my strength since then.
As a child I was always creative, friendly, but shy. I loved spending time in the garden, playing with my cousins, and with out pets. In school, I excelled in language and the arts, visual and performing. I liked learning. I had a strong sense of right and wrong, too. I fought my kid brother’s bullies to defend him when we were little. I sat withe the kids who were not in the “in” crowd. I’ve kind of stayed that person throughout my life. In college, I explored language further and took 2 semesters of Chinese and one of French. Years later I attempted to teach myself Italian, and a few years ago I started learning Russian, which has been my favorite language so far. In college I also became more interested in music, I took a piano and a voice class, and participated in an Argentinian Tango dance presentation.
Pricing:
- $250 -Upcoming Headshot day on May 26
- For boudoir details, they should text me at (956)589-1145 to schedule a call.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nightflowerboudoir.com
- Instagram: @nightflowerboudoir, @nightflowerphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightflowerboudoir
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellycirminello
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/nightflowerboudoir
- Other: www.linktree.com/nightflowerboudoir, To join my email list: bit.ly/boudoirlist
Image Credits
All images by Night Flower Boudoir
