Description

Nicole Barton has been shooting professionally since 2009. Over the course of her career, she has earned Bronze and Silver in the Portrait Masters Competition and placed in international competitions. She is the creator of Crowned In Silver Magazine and the She Is Tulsa documentary, art exhibit, and magazine—as seen on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Channel 2 News, Channel 8 News, and Fox 23. She is also the creator of the She Is OKC documentary and magazine, as well as the Be|Tween documentary film and photo exhibit.

Her work has been published in Forbes, Ebony Magazine, and other notable outlets. Empowering women of all sizes, shapes, shades, and ages through representation in beautiful imagery has been her mission for over a decade. What drives her passion is the bond she builds with the women she meets and witnessing their transformation as they see themselves in a new light.

In this episode, Dante and Nicole discuss:

• Childhood inspiration from Vogue sparked Nicole’s love for photography
• Shifted mindset from starving artist to thriving creative entrepreneur
• Empowers women 40+ through confidence-boosting portrait sessions
• Overcame challenges around pricing, value, and redefining professionalism
•  Launching Be|Tween and family legacy films to preserve untold stories

Key Takeaways: 

• By intentionally highlighting overlooked individuals, Nicole creates imagery that validates and celebrates their experiences. Her work helps expand what society considers worthy of attention.
• Success in art isn’t reserved for a select few—it belongs to those willing to break traditional molds and redefine their value.
• Her portraits do more than capture faces—they shift mindsets, restore confidence, and affirm identity in ways that ripple beyond the studio.
• Nicole adapts to each client’s energy, creating a safe space that invites authenticity without pressure or performance.
• By intentionally choosing the voices and visuals in her daily life, Nicole stays connected to the issues and stories that fuel her creativity.

“You got to be excited to get up and do it. Because, you know, the money part of it can be a little trickier, because it's art, and the way that you're going to be able to make it a sustainable career is because you love to get up and do it. And I think you really have to have tunnel vision about who you allow to influence your decision about your craft.” - Nicole Barton

Connect with Nicole Barton:

Website: https://www.nicolebartonphotography.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolebartonphotography 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebartonphotography/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolebartonphotography 

Connect with Dante Royster:

Website:https://www.danteroyster.com/

Epic Mortgage Website:Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook:EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKTRWLRP

LinkedIn:Dante Royster | LinkedIn

Twitter:https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster

YouTube: Epic Spotlight 

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

Mission Statement: Epic Spotlight shines a light on the truths behind love, happiness, health, and wealth. Hosted by America’s Mortgage Expert and author Dante Royster, this podcast delivers bold insights to help you grow and build your most epic life.

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.