03/05/2026
As I mentioned in my last post, 2026 is holding some exciting changes for me! But before I get into all of that, I first want to tell you the "why" behind my love for photos.
In 2006, my older sister Kimberly passed away from a brain tumor. I was only 5 years old at the time and I don't really have any memories of Kim prior to her being sick. My fondest memories with her are being curled up on her makeshift living room bed watching countless Strawberry Shortcake movies together, eating snow from a cake pan because she was too tired to go outside and play so we brought the fun in to us, countless tea parties with chocolate pudding cups and pretzels, and all too many hospital visits filled with dozens of stuffed animals piled around her. As weeks and months passed after her death, I went to my mom in tears, incredibly distressed because I couldn't remember how Kimberly sounded and looked. And in the midst of her own grief, my mother made it a top priority to print every picture she had of my sister and I, and write down by hand every memory and little story that I would recount to her. She made an entire scrapbook just for me, so that I could always remember Kimberly and those fun little sister memories that were and still are so precious to me. As I grew older and life moved by, that book became a true treasure to me. I became "that" friend that always took pictures everywhere we went. Those memories, no matter now silly they seemed in the moment, held value that you don't realize they carry until that moment is gone. So when I purchased my first real camera at the age of 16, and started this hobby, I quickly realized that I wanted to give as many people those memories to hold on to as I possibly could. I decided to put a name to it and wanted it to tie back to my childhood where the importance of photos all began. My middle name is Nicole and growing up (and still currently occastionally) my mom, aunts and grandparents all refered to me as "Nickel-Pickle" or just "Nickel". Thus was born "Nickel & Dime Photography".
Flash forward to the present. And let me just say, life is wild. in 2022 I about gave up on photography because I lost all my gear in a house fire. But Jesus had other plans for me because by 2024, I was solo shooting my very first wedding and have since taken so many more pictures than I ever could have dreamed. So much life has happened since those very first sessions that it only feels right that it's time for a refresh. I'm a wife to a supportive husband who is always believing in me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. I'm a mom to the sweetest little girl I ever did meet. And I've grown and improved as a photographer so much. So I invite you to continue on this journey with me and hope that in another 5 years, I will look back and see just as much growth in myself and my photos. Now for the actually important part...
In the spirit of that growth and for the sake of simplicity, Nickel & Dime Photography will now be: Tonya Cook Photography. I am posting my updated price sheets (for my most common session types) and will be working on rolling out an official website later this year. That being said, if budget is what is holding you back, please by all means reach out to me. I'm happy to trade services or customize something to make it work for you! I'm always going to do my very best to do what I can to get your photos because in the end, I'm not just here to run a business. I'm here to give you your own version of that scrapbook that will help you savor the moments in your life, even after they're a part of the past. Questions or session inquiries can be directed via facebook messages or email at [email protected].
If you have read this far, thank you for sticking with me on this post and on this journey. I am so grateful for the opportunities I get and people I get to meet through this job. My prayer is that God uses me and my camera to spread His glory. I'm so excited to be taking things to the next level with this venture and I hope you'll continue to follow along.
-Tonya
