In Focus | Nicole Hemeon

Meet Nicole! She's a local photographer who loves the outdoor lifestyle of the Okanagan!

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m a BC girl, born and raised in the lower mainland. After college I moved to Alberta for a few years to start my career in radio, and then moved back to BC in 2016. I'm going on 4 years in the Okanagan.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, he’s my best friend. Even if we’re sitting around doing our own thing, I love his presence. He’s so supportive in my careers and very caring. He makes me want to be a better person.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Bread Co. has amazing desserts and sandwiches!

Describe yourself in one word.
Stubborn.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Honestly, I love Banff. I know it’s local in a sense compared to picking anywhere in the world, but I almost have a slight fear of travelling outside the country. I don’t want to deal with the travel, customs, and being in a foreign country that I don’t know. Although, I have always wanted to go Hawaii.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I like being by the water, whether that’s on a boat, at the shore with the dogs, or just enjoying the view of the lake on our deck.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
During the Fort Mac evacuation when we were in Edmonton, we had a new dog we only had a month. I had to bring her to the radio stations there that were also owned by the company I worked for. Being stressed and out of routine from a chaotic week she pooped in the sales room. The producers had a laugh because there’s often some rivalry between them and sales. But I was so embarrassed!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I often find inspiration when I’m out photographing landscapes, or astrophotography at night. It’s so peaceful and calming. I remember this one night in Oct 2015 was absolutely breathtaking with the northern lights. Pinks, purples, blues, greens, yellows... They were so colourful and so active dancing across the sky. It was incredible and I was in such awe.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
How do I pick just one?! Overall I love the road trips my family took growing up. We did so much exploring every weekend and every year we did a 2 week trip. We’ve driven to Alaska, across Canada, down to Disneyland, Yellowknife... If my parents could have driven us to Italy to see family I’m sure they would have done that instead of flying!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
My heart goes out to the fire departments and first responders. The work anyone on the front lines does is so hard and incredible, they deserve as much support as possible.



If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I think equality & prejudice is the root of many issues.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Somewhere quiet by the water, or with a view of the water.

Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
Affordable housing. I’d love to see more vacant land become available to for tiny house communities. Or open up some of those 55+ parks to be 25+. It feels like the only “affordable” homes or trailers are 55+ locations and it’s frustrating because even then it’s still leasehold and there’s limits to everything-including pets. There’s hardly any freehold availability. So many people, myself included, feel like owning a home will only ever be in our dreams. I’d be fine with a tiny house! But good luck finding a place to put it.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The outdoor lifestyle! I love seeing everyone out and enjoying the summer water activities, or having a drink on the patios. The amount of things to do here and areas to see are endless!

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
My bucket list revolves around photography so a few on there include photographing: ice climbers, a palm tree sunset on the ocean & large icebergs

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
My eyes often turn more yellow in the sun and change colors with my mood.



How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook and Instagram are the two sites I keep active, other than my website.
Facebook: Nicole Hemeon Photography
Instagram: @nicolehemeonphotography
Website: Nicole Hemeon Photography

What is the name of your business/organization?
Nicole Hemeon Photography.

Why did you get into this business?
It originally started as a hobby, thanks to my husband. It was him who also believed I could turn it into a job to make a little extra money that I could re-invest into my photography. After a couple years of figuring out what kind of portraiture I wanted to do, I settled on motherhood (maternity through to baby’s first year) and landscapes. I’m not a mom myself but I love celebrating moms. They’re such amazing, strong women and their transition with new life deserves to be documented to share with their own kids years from now.

What is the goal of your business?
To photograph the early stages of motherhood and celebrate moms. I also believe everyone deserves to have their photos printed and in physical form. So after I take your photos, I’ll help you decide how best to display them, whether that be in an album, on the wall as canvas, metal or framed, in a keepsake box etc. Then I’ll do all the printing for you through some of the best vendors in the industry to make sure these will last generations. It’s so important to print your photos so you can enjoy them everyday instead of them living on your devices and getting lost, deleted, or forgotten.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I think a lot of people in my generation can relate to the struggle of finances & the cost of living these days.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I think in order to learn you need to make mistakes. Just because I could start it all again, doesn’t mean I would have the knowledge I learned the first time to know what to change and do differently.

What is your best piece of life advice?
Just because you’re struggling, doesn’t mean you’re failing.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I love Paul Zizka, he’s an incredible landscape/astrophotographer. Although his work involves a ton of hiking and I’m so not fit enough to keep up, so I don’t know how well that would work out.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping locally and supporting local businesses means your money and tax dollars goes back into the community to pay for schools, roads, parks etc. I think it’s important to remember that supporting small businesses doesn’t always require spending money. It’s as simple as sharing, liking and promoting us! I’d much rather shop local and have the money go back into our community and local talent who you can create personal connections with, than a big corporation.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
In 2019 I won 3 separate awards at my full time radio job for a wildfire awareness commercial that was inspired by my experience in the Fort Mac Fire.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Shout out to my brother Jonathan Baggio and all the other first responders out there. You make a difference every day in someone’s life, and are always the first to offer help to anyone in need.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Chrissy Lwowski.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!