Nicole H.

Ciao, my name is Nicole Hesslink and I am a lifestyle photographer and social media manager based in Ancona, Italy. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for visual storytelling, I specialize in food and product photography.  Having modeled in Tokyo for nearly 10 years, I have always been in the environment of photography and had a strong passion for it. My photography career began as a wedding photographer in Honolulu, where I learned the practical and technical skills of photography and at the same time the importance of communication with the client. Wanting to go deeper into photography and expand my career, I decided to go to art school in Florence, Italy. I frequented in Libera Accademia di Belle Arti graduating with the highest honors. In addition to “classical” photography, I am also a content creator, creating images, graphics, and short videos suitable for social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram. I have been working at a local craft brewery as a content creator and social media manager for the past 2 years, creating captivating and informative content to help grow their social media presence strategically.  Having a Japanese mother and an American father, my multicultural background and language skills are my other key qualities. I am trilingual in English, Japanese, and Italian, and I have a deep understanding of both Japanese and Italian cultures. This cultural fluency is hopefully evident in my photography, avoiding cliches and giving the images more authenticity.  Apart from photography, I am extremely passionate about food and wine. I am a certified sommelier with FISAR and a sake sommelier with SSI. Additionally, I hold the WSET Level 3 certification. I believe these certifications in wine and sake have helped me enhance my ability to capture the intricate details and beauty of these special beverages and create more meaningful and educational content.  Since 2024 I have also started hosting events around Le Marche to promote the true culture of Sake. Not only have I done introductory lessons to the world of sake, but also unique events such as pairing Sake with artisan chocolate! This combination may sound odd, yet if you choose the right sake it is a match made in heaven! Having lived abroad for a long time, I am good at communicating with people of various nationalities and generations. I can think outside the box, looking at matters from a creative perspective. I am extremely eager to contribute my skills and expertise to help businesses thrive and look forward to connecting with new people and opportunities!