Nikki's favorites

  • Chai Tea Lattes
  • Family Bowling Night
  • Strawberry gelato
  • Newborns all swaddled and comfy
  • Pineapple pizza
  • A perfectly-themed playlist
  • Apple products
  • A glass of wine after a long day
  • The Bachelor (my guilty pleasure, for sure)
  • Comfy yoga pants
  • Soft blankets (I'm always cold!)
  • Rom Com Movie Nights
  • Equally obsessed with Star Wars
  • Wedding days FULL of emotion


Always Hopeful

I’m Nikki. Two K’s. No C’s.

While we’re on the subject of letters, I guess you could say that two of my favorites are “x” and “o”.​

XOXO – hugs and kisses – they are what it’s all about for me as a photographer. The moment you marry your best friend. The days after your newborn is brought home. Your graduation year. Your engagement celebration. The moments in life you get to gallivant your love, appreciation, and dedication; that’s where you will find me with my camera, capturing the sparkle of it all.

The moments you won’t find me with my camera, you’ll find me trying to keep up with my oldest son and four-sport athlete, Ethan, doting on our sweet dancer + horse lover, Lydia, cheering on our daring gymnast and dancer, Marlowe, snuggling our newest addition, Roland, playing Rockband with my husband and partner-in-crime for the last decade and a half, AJ, and on the hunt for the best sunset views I can find.

And one more thing: while based in Omaha, Nebraska I will – and I do – travel for the ubiquitous XO. So please, don’t hesitate to contact me and arrange your special shoot.

light and airy photographer, portrait of nikki mcleay photography, natural photos, unposed posed photography


a few things I believe:
1 / 9

family is everything

As a wife and mom of four, I understand the value of family. It makes me want to cherish each fleeting moment. For my family. And document them for your family. ❤

📷: Ashley Crawford

1 / 9

DREAMER + DOER

I might even say I'm a crazy dreamer. I recently left my corporate job of ten years to open my own studio space to wholeheartedly pursue my passion. I equally love wedding days, quiet newborn sessions, days on site at our real estate investments, and trying to get kids to laugh at my silly jokes. I'm a little bit of everything all in one. But no matter what it is, in that moment,

I'M ALL IN.

MOMMA + WIFE

My world changed when I had kids. And not even in the romantic sense of the word. There is that, of course, but I also had WAY less time than what I was used to and I had to change my priorities to figure out what fuels me. To try and answer the age old question of "what is my purpose?" I don't have all the answers, but for now I know that documenting people and those they love

COMPLETELY FUELS ME.

BABY CUDDLER

The more sessions I do, the more I see the appeal of a simple setting, and natural expressions. I think simplicity is timeless. I also get giddy when I get to see babies throughout their first year, and see how they grow and change. I look forward to six month sessions most! I adore their chunky rolls, how they are so easily entertained by animal noises, and the fact they don't walk away yet! I really do think

MY JOB IS AMAZING.


"Make visible, what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."

—Robert Bresson


c l i e n t . t e s t i m o n i a l s

kind words

in their words
1 / 7

Janie S.

Nikki was so easy and flexible! Her sweetness is so effortless and her amazing work shines through in every photo!!!

sibling photo in memorial park, omaha photographer, brother and sister photo, natural photo, emotional photo, siblings
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want to learn more?

Let's grab a coffee, sushi, or tacos!

@nikkimcleay

Join me on Instagram where I share your beautiful faces, favorite quotes and song lyrics, and snippets of my family in between,