Student Portfolio

Student Gallery and Success Stories

See their results and hear what they have to say about working with me.

Anni Christie

Kristina’s light set up and course is amazing. I went through the process of buying a little lightbox online and I could never get the lighting right. The “white” of my photos were always either blue or yellow still. When I finally found Kristina, I figured I would give her artificial lighting set up to see if it would work and it has changed my WORLD. I went from editing photos ten to twenty minutes each (and still not actually getting a white background) to snapping photos, editing in the one minute it took me to walk to my computer and uploading it. This process has saved me over and over again. When customers have a question and need to see a different angle or if a reporter needs a photo super fast for publication, I can take a perfect photo at any time of day in any weather and send it over immediately."

magpiemischiefshop.com

Merrilee Defoe

"Before taking Kristina Nicole’s course on photography, I was completely ruining the image of my products in the editing process trying to get the white background, So I stopped trying all together! I switched to a background that was easy and didn’t create a lot of shadows and the lighting really didn’t have that much of an effect on, after all I was the only one who knew what color it was supposed to be anyway. All of this changed when I took Kristina Nicole’s course! She taught me how to use artificial light to get clean crisp white backgrounds every time! No more waiting for the perfect conditions for photographing outside, I can take pictures anytime of day or night using artificial light and get that perfect white background with very little editing I might add! Her course has streamlined the photography process for my business so much so that I love photography now! With the knowledge and skills her course gave me I now have the confidence to take my own product photography and slay it! Thank you Kristina!"

paisleymoose.etsy.com

Erin Balm

"When I first found Kristina’s photography course, I thought that my pictures were good, but I realized I struggled with consistent lighting and relevant props. What I love about Kristina is that she meets you where you are in your photography journey. If you just have natural light, she teaches you to work with that. If you can’t afford fancy backdrops, she gives recommendations for every budget. Her course gives you all the knowledge and tools that you need to succeed in concise, easy-to-understand lessons. I’ve been able to up my photography game to new levels that have opened doors to amazing opportunities. "

starfall.etsy.com

Carol Hoey & Charlotte Gerwin

"Kristina is the real deal! Not only does she provide top-notch education related to photography, but she is 100 percent behind each and every one of her students so we all succeed. Kristina is a genuine person and a successful businesswoman who ran a very profitable handmade business. She kindly shares her wisdom on a wealth of strategies related to running a handmade business. She is extremely generous in her time, always caring to her students, and she never seems to mind if your question deviates a bit from photography as she understands that to be successful in this competitive, online selling world, you need to be firing on all cylinders in all aspects of your business. With Kristina, you really feel like your goals matter to her, and she takes joy in seeing everyone flourish. She also understands the need to pace yourself and not burn out! I would not hesitate to buy and go all-in with any course, blog, group, etc. that Kristina is running. She is really one-of-a-kind!"

thedragongirlchar.com

Lis Bokt

"I have learned so much with Kristina. I started with the viewpoint of a photographer (albeit a nature photographer) and found myself with some fairly technical questions to get the most out of my product photography. She has been so helpful and willing to just jump right in and mimic my setup and products to find what works best. She sincerely cares about good results for everybody and puts the work in. Building the lightbox has given me no excuses. I am able to photograph items as soon as I make them and list them the same day. Most of my work is custom made. I have found that because it is seamless for me to photograph each order after I make it, I can post more regularly to social media. This has allowed me to get significantly higher engagement and expand my customer base. And because taking photos is SO EASY to do now, I am able to stay more current on my product photos. I am regularly updating some of my products for market trends and now my product images are always matched. This both helps me get new customers and gives better expectations of the product."

shopintaglio.com

Kara Vogt

"Kristina is AMAZING. I have learned so much from her. Not only is she a great teacher, she is not afraid to tell you how it is in a nice, supportive and professional manner. She wants to see you learn, grow and succeed! Many times, she has gone out of her way to make sure that happens. I cannot recommend her enough. Before I met Kristina I really struggled with my product photos. I struggled to properly photograph my products on white. It wasn't until I found her that I was able to set up a permanent setup that allowed me to essentially shoot it and forget it. I went from fighting to set up, photograph, and fight with shadows and uneven lighting and then several more hours editing just to get something "good enough" or perhaps "no one will notice." It was exhausting. I dreaded photo day and would put it off far longer than I should have, thus my listings didn't get done and it seriously cost me money. Once I learned how to properly light my products and set up my photo area, I can now turn on my lights, set my product, photograph 10 or so photos and upload them within 15 minutes. I rarely have to edit any longer and it is wonderful. I no longer dread photo day but now look forward to it and keep my listings and products up to date. Thank you, Kristina!"

wiseoaksoapery.com

Katherine Maldonado

"Kristina Nicole has helped take my product photography to the next level! I now understand how important light is and how it applies to my specific product. Her step-by-step class and real-time support has shown me how amazing my cell phone can be in taking product photos. She even helped me build my own lightbox which has been a real game-changer.

purserverance.com + sewyourbag.com

Tina Logassi

"I came into this course totally green. My photos were awful, I had no idea how to correct them. I thought to take professional grade photos would mean I would have to spend hours taking photos and editing them, which is something I just didn't have time to learn to do, nor the interest. I even contemplated a professional photographer but my business is so young I just don't have the money for that and I have so many different products, financially it's not a sustainable route for me to go!

Enter The Makers Method.

I am thrilled with the Makers Method Course and working directly with Kristina! The course itself is self-paced, very organized, and incredibly methodical in its approach. People drift in and out depending on their own schedules, and that's OK. We all go at different paces and I never feel pressure to "finish". This is a lifelong course, which means you have no deadlines.

I was looking for a coach that didn't just "teach themselves" how to take photos. Kristina is a professionally trained photographer with YEARS of experience and has focused those skills on the subject of product photography. I think that is key. She understands the foundations of photography, has developed the skills over years, and now can teach makers the parts we need to know to get where we want to go, in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

She provides thoughtful critiques that always result in better photos. She knows WHY a composition doesn't quite work and can explain it to you. Because of her past product selling experience, I think she really knows what images sell, and is a fountain of other business info that I soak up like a sponge!

And in terms of money and time, it has saved me a TON. She directs you to the proper equipment, and the proper light box setup (all of this is personalized to the individual's needs) so you're not wasting time and money working with equipment that just won't get you there.

I obviously still have a long way to go but I feel empowered that I'm on a path where I never need to employ a professional photographer (Saving me lots of money in the long run) and my photo quality will equal the best that is out there (all with my iPhone, how cool is that??!!)

It's by far my favorite online course and Facebook group, She really prioritizes this course in her daily schedule and is more present in the group than any other coach I've worked with. I take advantage of all her live trainings, tutor times, and course updates as she adds more and more valuable content. She really guides you and is there for you if you show up!

I really can't say enough positives, if you are a maker and struggling with your photos, this course is the best money you will EVER invest in your business!!!"

www.primheirloomdesigns.ca

Danielle Hemberger

"Kristina helped me go from zero to hero with my Etsy listing photos! I was a novice at creating mock-ups and didn’t know which graphics to use that would make my products stand out. I felt clueless until she stepped in and offered her invaluable guidance and support.

One of the things I love about Kristina is that she didn’t give me a cookie-cutter solution. Instead, we scheduled a live appointment where she could learn more about my business and my brand. I really appreciated the time she took to listen to my concerns and understand what I was trying to achieve.

We chatted for over an hour about the features and benefits that set my items apart from the rest. She helped me identify the most essential selling points and taught me how to emphasize them in each graphic. She also gave me some easy-to-follow tips to make my mock-ups look more professional.

With Kristina’s expert advice, I was able to create Etsy mock-ups that genuinely capture the unique value of my products. My graphics are now eye-catching and tell the visual story that I need potential customers to see!"

www.brooklynandmain.com

Margie Grodsky

"My Etsy shop is thanking me for joining "The Makers Method". I didn't realize how much I did not know about product photography! Kristina Nicole makes the whole process so easy to learn. The step-by-step instructions were so simple to follow along. The craziest part of this whole journey is Kristina's feedback when I have questions. She responds quickly on the Facebook group and LIVE videos to explain what she's talking about!! When does she sleep?? I was hesitant to make this purchase and want to yell from the rooftops to anyone that will listen. It's worth EVERY penny. My Etsy shop has exploded, I spend half the time editing my photos and spend more time in my studio throwing pots. Kristina shows her screen while explaining things, so I can actually follow what she's doing. I also learn from everyone else's questions. The Facebook group is just an added bonus. The people are SO sweet and helpful. Well, I have to go... just heard another cha-ching on Etsy!"

margiegrodskypottery.etsy.com

Sylvia Katvala

"Kristina has helped me so much with her detailed and professional tips. She does it in a nice way, so you want to learn more and improve. I struggled with photography for years, and since watching her videos, things start to click and fall into place."

skfiberfun.etsy.com

Ann Yaconis

"I have been having trouble taking photos of my products for years until... I met Kristina. Taking photos of glass has been a task I dreaded until now! I was introduced to Kristina and boom, I now understand light and how it can make or break your photos. I’ve used natural light in the past but the inconsistency was troubling. Learning how to make, set up, and use a lightbox has taken my photos from drab and ordinary to something I am proud of. The knowledge I have learned from Kristina has made taking photos fun! I can’t thank her enough for teaching me and supporting me! She is truly a caring and knowledgeable teacher!"

brusheswithaview.com

Joanne Haeussinger

"I took Kristina's 5 Day Photo Challenge in May, and immediately learned a number of things about product photography that were immensely helpful in shooting my jewelry with a smartphone. At the end of the week, I splurged on my business and bought The Makers Method course, and I'm SO thankful I took that leap. The modules are so very easy to understand, partnered with video demonstration, and easy to go at my own pace. I've just set up my own lightbox with her recommendations, and am about to start reshooting my entire product line bit by bit.... The thing that has impressed me the most about Kristina is the amount of time and 1:1 support that she gives in her Makers Method private Facebook group. It's clear that helping her students is her passion, and she is so responsive, answering questions with video responses that are helpful for everyone if they want to watch and learn, as well. She hosts monthly challenges and learning outcomes (July was Canva) within the group, and chooses these topics based on what the group's needs are. The value you get for your investment in yourself is amazing, and I'm so very glad I took that leap. Thank you, Kristina, for all you do for your students. Your dedication is unparalleled. "

carlsbadcreations.com

Jenny Mott-Eversman

"Kristina offers the best advice for pictures! She is amazing in how much value she offers. I won’t go to anyone else for feedback on pictures. And she doesn’t make you go out and spend a fortune on equipment, she works with what you have available or maybe buying a few things. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone. Can’t speak highly enough of her!"

eversmancustoms.etsy.com

Kitt Skonie

"OMG OMG OMG. After six years and hundreds of hours of edits I have NEVER been able to capture the Red in Swarovski Crystals without having to paste other crystal pictures over them or use masks. Much of my work is custom and they ask for pictures of "What if that crystal was this color" constantly. I used to groan knowing that although taking the picture only took a minute, it would take an hour to edit it to accurately portray the colors. NO EDIT of any kind now. I can die and go to heaven. Life is better with my new best friend, the Beastly LightBox."

collarsbykitt.etsy.com

Patty Andersen

"I took this inside the lightbox to test it out. Unedited. I am so jazzed that this is the first time I've ever taken a photo that didn't have a grey/blue background."

studioauckland.com

Amy Nicole Williams

"I am so glad I found Kristina Nicole! She is SO knowledgeable and has a gift for teaching. Taking quality product photos has been so overwhelming to me in the past but Kristina breaks it down in ways I actually understand & can duplicate. Her light box instructions are a total game changer!"

Lynn Rowe

"I have been in other groups (paid and free) for photography and let me tell you they are not worth your time. Kristina gives you so much more than any other coach I have ever been with. When you ask a question she is there to give you personal help. If you ask her something she isn't sure about you can bet that she is going to research it and give you her best advise. Kristina goes above and beyond in giving her knowledge and help."

lmrcreations2.etsy.com

Sue Kennedy

"I signed up for the full Makers Method course and I’m completely blown away! The detail of this course is beyond compare to any course I’ve taken so far… and I’ve signed up over the years for quite a few courses. More than just photos! The Makers Method is so complete! All about my phone settings, editing, loading to my shop- there’s even a video course in this package that I’ve just started- but know it’s a game changer for me. Kristina is fantastic! Patient, thorough, and answers all inquiries. If there’s a question she doesn’t know the answer to, she’ll research and get the answer asap. I only wish I had found her and this class earlier in my business venture… totally recommended!"

illuminatedcottage.etsy.com

Laura Michael

"Kristina's experience with product photography is a godsend! I'm so glad I found her. Any question I have about my photos, setup, lighting, props, etc, is always answered with such actionable feedback from Kristina. My photos have greatly improved since being in her group. You won't find another coach who is so open and willing to help you succeed in your handmade business with killer product photos than Kristina. I highly recommend her if you're serious about your business succeeding. Product photos make or break a business and I'm lucky to be working with such an experienced photographer."

aworthybrand.com

Anne Herbert

"I found this program to be far more than just lessons on how to correctly photograph your products. Learning about how to do this correctly is a game changer for selling and Kristina notices so many details in the shot that I wasn't even aware of (where the light is coming from, distracting props, how to arrange the lifestyle photo to focus on the product, etc.) But above and beyond that she gives so much guidance on running a business. From figuring out your ideal customer to how to use Canva, to the best method for organizing, editing and storing your photos. Tutor time is a great time to cover questions and to see what other product makers are struggling with, since I often get ideas of what I could do better. I've taken a lot of courses and this one is well worth it. I'm still learning, and part of learning is going through the struggles to the other side - there is definitely a skill to photographing products that I've learned to appreciate more vs. just taking a photo and slapping it on your site. "

StainedGlassStitcher.com

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