Today we’d like to introduce you to Nell Hoving.
Hi Nell, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography found me early in life, and it found me in the dark. I still remember the first time I loaded film in a blacked-out room, hands moving by feel alone, threading the reel without sight. There was something about that process that resonated immediately. I spent hours in the darkroom, mixing chemicals, experimenting, watching images slowly appear on paper. It felt like a kind of magic.
In college, I developed a deep appreciation for editorial photography. I’d study advertisements and features in magazines, drawn to the lighting, the styling, and the way a thoughtful photograph could evoke so much emotion. The editorial work appearing in Philadelphia Style Magazine particularly caught my attention, and when the opportunity came to have an internship with them, I was there in a heartbeat.
That internship changed the direction of my life. The art director received a call one afternoon from photographer, Jonathan Pushnik, asking if there was an intern available to assist on a last-minute shoot in New York City for Diane Von Furstenberg. Jonathan’s images were literally on my inspiration board – some of the very shots I dreamed of achieving one day. I joined Jonathan on that photoshoot, and that day opened a door I’ve been walking through ever since.
I moved to Philadelphia, went on to work alongside Jonathan for several years, and I’m deeply grateful for everything he taught me, including lighting, retouching, and an understanding of what it truly takes to produce at a high level. I’ll always remember my first time on a full production set. Set designers were building backgrounds, assistants testing and shaping lighting for the shot. Models in the hair and makeup chair, wardrobe stylists steaming garments, pulling accessories, reviewing looks with the client, pinning and adjusting clothing directly on set. And through all of it, the producers and clients were gathered around the digi tech’s seemingly endless screens, evaluating images in real time, giving feedback, and making decisions. Every single person in that room was essential. The final images are produced, not just from a click of the camera, but from a full team planning, producing, and implementing. I learned early on that the trust built with the people around you is what allows the creative work to actually come to life. That lesson has stayed with me through every project I’ve taken on since, whether it’s full production teams, or just me, once again, sitting in a dark room, this time, styling, lighting, photographing, and directing on my own. This ease and expertise has developed from years of experience being alongside those who, I believe, are some the best in the industry.
When I eventually stepped out on my own, I carried all of it with me. It’s been 16 years since I launched my own business as an advertising and editorial product photographer. Every year has been better than the last, and I am genuinely grateful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Freelance creative work is not for the faint of heart. The rhythm of self-employment is both beautiful and brutal. I can have a slow week and suddenly begin to second-guess my entire career and every decision I’ve ever made, and then, magically, the phone rings, the emails come in, and I’m back to managing five projects at once. I’ve come to appreciate that tension. It keeps me present and focused.
What has sustained me through the harder stretches, is the quality of the relationships I’ve built. Many of my clients have been with me for well over a decade. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from showing up consistently, communicating honestly, and genuinely caring about the outcome of every project, whether it’s a high-end fine jewelry campaign or a high-volume e-commerce shoot with hundreds of SKUs.
I’m also a single mother, and building a thriving business while raising two children has required a kind of creative problem-solving that honestly makes me a better business owner. I have learned to be efficient, to be present, to lean on my team, and to know when to push and when to let something breathe. There have been seasons of real personal difficulty that tested me in ways I never anticipated, but I’ve found resilience, and it has become one of my most valuable assets. I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been, and I believe that shows up in my work, values, and mindset every single day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a commercial and editorial photographer based just outside of Philadelphia, and my work spans a range of clients and categories that I’m genuinely proud of.
On the product side, I specialize in fine jewelry, scientific and technical instruments, beauty and cosmetics, and lifestyle goods. I’ve spent years photographing for fine jewelry clients including Benari Jewelers, Hamilton Jewelers, and Ashi Diamonds, with work that ranges from clean white-background product shots to fully styled editorial campaigns and look books. I photograph highly technical laboratory products for Agilent Technologies, one of the world’s leading scientific instrument companies. I’m a regular contributor for Philadelphia Magazine and Philadelphia Wedding Magazine. And, for over 14 years, Five Below has trusted me as one of their commercial photographers, a relationship that has produced hundreds of thousands of individual product images across catalog, e-commerce, and campaign work.
On the portrait and editorial side, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some of Philadelphia’s most prominent figures for publication. My portrait work has appeared in Philadelphia Magazine and has included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Comcast NBCUniversal executives, and community leaders across the region. I’ve also had the distinct honor of being the sole photographer trusted in small settings at high-profile political events, documenting moments with President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and the late Beau Biden. I know how rare and meaningful this access is, and I hold every one of those experiences with deep gratitude.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The resources that have shaped me most sit at the intersection of mindset and meaning. I return regularly to The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I revisit The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho every time I am ready to start a new chapter in life. And, Rhonda Byrne’s, The Secret, arrived at exactly the right time in my life. I work hard and intentionally to implement these practices daily.
For podcasts, I find myself drawn to Jay Shetty and Mel Robbins, both of whom speak to purpose, resilience, and practical action in a way that resonates with how I try to approach my life and my work. I am truly fortunate for every opportunity that life continues to bring, and I receive it all with gratitude and appreciation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nellhoving.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nellhovingphoto/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nell-hoving-photography/
