The story of Ben Nichols isn’t just one of hustle—it’s about belief. Belief in himself, belief in others and belief that every photo could matter.
Ben Nichols’ transition from living in Army barracks to being on the college football sidelines didn’t begin with a clear plan, a scholarship, or a job offer. The starting point of his journey was a pawn shop camera that cost just $175.
Recalling the moment he found the camera in a Barberton, Ohio pawn shop, Nichols remembers feeling like he had stumbled upon a great opportunity. Despite his lack of knowledge about cameras, he made the purchase. With some assistance from his grandmother, who provided him with a sports lens, Nichols was able to kickstart his photography career.
This simple purchase marked the beginning of a successful trajectory for Nichols, who now boasts a growing portfolio. His work includes capturing crucial moments like buzzer-beaters, taking senior portraits, and most recently, photographing the engagement of Travis Hunter, a standout in college football as the Heisman winner and now a top prospect in the NFL Draft.
It was a leap of faith that launched Nichols into the spotlight. Still serving in the military, he found time to dive deeper into photography while stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. On weekends, he’d shoot nearly every men’s and women’s basketball game at nearby Murray State.
“Those people down at Murray State, they all helped me so much. They all taught me things and… those group of photographers down there were like the biggest stepping stone for me.”
He kept chasing the next opportunity, eventually messaging the Colorado Buffaloes to ask if he could shoot a game.
“It was surreal… And prior to that, everybody knew that coach [Deion Sanders] had come there and it was a pretty big deal. He brought Travis. Travis was the number one player, and everyone was watching that game.”
It would be that same Travis Hunter who posted on social media looking for a photographer—this time for a more personal moment. Nichols took a chance.
“I thought, just shoot big. Sent him a message… and what happened after that was pretty awesome.”
Hunter chose Nichols to shoot his engagement photos alongside fiancée Leanna Lenee—an experience Nichols calls unforgettable, not just for the opportunity, but because of the man behind the fame.
“He’s just so mellow, so incredibly nice. Just a normal guy.”
As the NFL Draft unfolds this week, Nichols watches with pride—and a touch of hometown hope. After all, both Hunter and fellow Buffaloes star Shedeur Sanders are draft prospects. And with the Cleveland Browns holding the number two overall pick, Hunter’s name has even been tossed around as a potential fit in brown, orange and white.
“If they do get drafted to the Browns…I’m gonna be happy.”
Back in Northeast Ohio, Nichols continues to run the high school sports page he started in Wayne County and now mentors a team of interns, with whom he talks about far more than how to take a good photo.
“They need to understand that that they are more than photographers, and I love all them to death.”
His approach to photography is driven by something deeper than composition or lighting.
“I just don’t think that people realize sometimes that photos, whether it be like weddings or engagement photos or sports photos… That could be the last picture somebody ever gets in their life, and that’s why I always tell everybody ‘Hey, it doesn’t matter if they’re a 2-year-old basketball player or an NFL player, treat every photo as if it’s somebody’s last picture.'”
The story of Ben Nichols isn’t just one of hustle—it’s about belief. Belief in himself, belief in others and belief that every photo could matter.
“The number one thing is I’m very blessed,” said Nichols. “Jesus Christ has blessed me with the greatest life on the planet. I didn’t grow up with the best life in the world, so I’m extremely blessed that I’ve been able to overcome so many things.”
From the Army to Ashland University, from a secondhand camera to the front row of college football history, Ben Nichols is living proof that some of the most impactful moments come from the most unexpected places—and this week, those moments might wind up wearing a Browns jersey.
