Based in the Capital Region of Upstate New York specializing in outdoors, landscape, nature, industrial, architectural, events, special occasions, commercial and editorial photography.

 

Hi, I'm Nicole Smith Russell! I strive to capture the understated beauty in the places I travel and subjects I stumble upon throughout Upstate NY and beyond. You'll likely find me pulled over on the side of the road photographing anything from old trains, railroads, abandoned buildings, barns and the countryside. You might also spot me somewhere out in the Adirondacks or Catskill mountains. More than anything, I love photographing what seems to be an ordinary scene and capturing it in a way that gives it a fresh perspective.

 

My background

I dabbled in videography and still photography but became even more involved in it when I bought a used DSLR camera in January 2016. Shooting in raw and making the switch to "manual" was a learning curve. I was sitting in a laundromat one day not too long after buying the camera and found a photography specialization course on Coursera which was taught by Michigan State University professors. The very next day I began what became a 9 month long journey to learn the basics and beyond of photography. After completing my capstone project which I called "Traveler", I earned a certificate, joined a prestigious group of alumni and gained the confidence and skills I needed to move forward. A year after buying my DSLR, I was Featured Artist of the Month at IL FARO Restaurant & Bar and that's when things started coming together!

 

Events | Recognition

  • Featured Artist of the Month - IL FARO Restaurant & Bar; August and September 2019
  • Exhibit Contributor - Honest Weight Food Coop Shoreline Exhibit; August 2018
  • Exhibit Contributor - The Phoenix Gallery; March 2018
    Cover Photo Contest Winner - Capital Region Living Magazine; June 2018
  • Featured Artist of the Month - IL FARO Restaurant & Bar; January 2017
  • Silent Auction Contributor - The Legal Project 22nd Annual Pro Bono Reception; October 2017
  • Contributing Artist - Nancy Lane Farms fundraising event benefiting The Legal Project ; September 2017
  • Exhibit Contributor - Michigan State University Kresge Art Center; November 2016

 

More about me

Believe it or not, I went to school for something way less interesting than photography or art. I hold a B.A. in Communications & Rhetoric from the University at Albany and an A.S. from Hudson Valley Community College. I worked at a law firm for several years as their HR Administrator. Today I work for an insurance broker as a Benefits Technology Sr. Specialist. My other hobbies include cycling, aerial yoga, hiking, camping, antiquing, decorating, reptile keeping, rescuing animals and spending time with my extended family. My household consists of huskies, cats, boa constrictors, green tree pythons, a bearded dragon and several tortoises. My husband, Rayne, has been through this entire journey with me pushing me forward and keeping me grounded.

- Nicole Smith Russell

 

Two things define you: Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.

― George Bernard Shaw