Introducing Nicole Noyce, MPA, PPOC’s 2020 Commercial Photographer of the Year

INTRODUCING NICOLE NOYCE, MPA,

PPOC’S 2020 COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

By Raymond Bailey, HLM, MPA, SPA

A PLEASANT FIFTEEN MINUTE DRIVE THROUGH THE SCENIC PARKLAND LANDSCAPE NORTH OF LLOYDMINSTER, SASKATCHEWAN BRINGS YOU TO NOYCE PHOTOGRAPHY. A WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WINDS THROUGH A BLUFF OF NATIVE ASPEN TREES LEADING TO THE CONTEMPORARY AND SPACIOUS STUDIO. WITH PLENTY OF ROOM BOTH INDOORS AND OUT, THE LAKEFRONT HOME AND STUDIO LITERALLY BRIMS WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES. AN INDOOR STUDIO EXPERIENCE UTILIZING EITHER NATURAL LIGHT OR MORE DRAMATIC STUDIO STROBES IS AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS. A DOZEN OR MORE OUTDOOR NOOKS AND LANDSCAPES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS. AN EVENING LAKESHORE SITE IS ONLY A FEW STEPS AWAY. YOU CAN EVEN BRING ALONG YOUR OWN HORSE!

I’ve known Nicole since the early 2000’s when she was starting along her photographic journey. It was evident early on that Nicole was going to be a force in fine portrait photography provincially and nationally. Every year one can see her work improving as she tests out new techniques and ideas. Being from a small mostly rural area has been absolutely no hindrance as she now stands amongst the heavy hitters of our association. Winning the Commercial Photographer of the Year award is a natural progression of her drive to succeed and how she challenges herself to push boundaries. Nicole Noyce and her team have been operating a full-service studio for the past 15 years. Nicole has been a PPOC member for most of that time, earning 12 Accreditations and the honour of PPOC SK Photographer Of The Year in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2019. In 2014 she received her CPA designation and her MPA quickly followed in 2016.

Nicole is currently working toward her second bar on her Master Of Photographic Arts and is thankful for the mentorship, education, and competition opportunities provided by PPOC. Noyce Photography specializes in fine portrait photography, commercial imagery, and high volume dance photography. This diversity allows for a great balance in business with the high volume photography supporting the time needed to develop her skills in the art of fine portraiture and commercial photography. Most of the commercial photography Nicole produces are corporate headshots, images for musicians, and editorial style images. Photographing dancers is one of her favourite assignments as it presents the opportunity to explore shape using form, shadow, and light. She has been awarded two PPOC national Best in Class Figure Study awards using her light-shaping techniques. “Triple Threat” - Fashion - received a merit score and is demonstrative of Nicole’s high-key lighting. This image was one of many taken for Featherlight Lashes. “Glorious Colour” - Architecture - received a merit score and was created at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. “Parlour En Pointe” - Best in Class Editorial - was created in a wonderful cafe in Montreal with her daughter, Grace Noyce, as her model. “Intertwined” - Best in Class Figure Study received an Excellence score and is a great example of shaping with light in dance photography.

Always generous with her thanks, Nicole says: “Thank you to my staff, customers, family and friends who have supported my business these past many years. Thank you to my PPOC mentor, Raymond Bailey, for his wisdom and guidance over the years.

Thank you to the PPOC National judges and

Image Salon organizers for the opportunity to compete every year. Without all of your hard work, we would miss out on the amazing educational opportunity competition provides.

I feel very honoured to be included in the company of the other talented photographers who qualified for the Commercial

Photographer Of The Year nomination. It’s sometimes difficult to feel celebratory during this unprecedented time and it makes a person question the importance and impact of a career as a photographer. While being labeled as a non-essential service I am posed with the question if our work as an artist is a worthy contribution to society. What we offer as photographers is the archiving of memories for future generations, the building of professional images for commercial clients and the celebration of the beauty around us through our images…. bringing joy to others through our art. I believe joy is essential and it’s a privilege to work with my portrait and commercial clients!” Nicole Noyce, MPA

Nicole Noyce, MPA

Nicole Noyce has been a PPOC member for the past ten years, earning twelve accreditations, being awarded PPOC SK Photographer of The Year four times and receiving the first bar on her Masters Of Photographic Arts in 2018. Nicole is primarily a portrait photographer and an expert in many categories of photography. This broad expertise has served her commercial clients well as she is able to produce the images they are looking for to promote their business and tell their story. Nicole was the proud recipient of the Commercial Photographer Of The Year award in the spring of 2020.