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    • STORIES AND INSPIRATION FROM Our AMBASSADORS

    BlackRapid Ambassadors

    From world travelers to studio pros, BLACKRAPID ambassadors are photographers and storytellers who rely on our straps in real-world conditions. Get to know the creatives behind the lens and see why they trust BLACKRAPID to keep their gear secure and accessible.

    Ally Payetta & Nicholas Gonko

    A man and woman sit on a porch, laughing together, enjoying each other's company in a warm, relaxed atmosphere.

    Ally Payetta and Nicholas Gonko are a husband-and-wife photography duo and BlackRapid Ambassadors based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

    With roots in Barrie and Sudbury, they’ve built a thriving business capturing weddings, elopements, and lifestyle moments across Canada and beyond. Their emotive, storytelling approach has earned them accolades like Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 and features in publications such as People.com and Cosmopolitan.

    Beyond photography, Ally and Nicholas are certified wellness practitioners, offering services like Reiki, breathwork, and yoga to support holistic well-being. Their commitment to community is evident through initiatives that celebrate Black and Indigenous-owned businesses in Ontario.

    Canadian photographers seeking inspiration in authentic storytelling and community engagement will find Ally and Nicholas’s journey both motivating and insightful.

    Photography Genre:

    Wedding & Lifestyle

    Hometown:

    Barrie, ON & Sudbury, ON

    Resides:

    Niagara-on-the-Lake

    Career Highlight #1:

    Winning Top 30 Under 30 In Canada

    Career Highlight #2:

    Booking Our First International Wedding

    Career Highlight #3:

    Being able to be full-time photographers together & meet so many inspiring souls

    BlackRapid product of choice:

    Double Breathe Strap

    Age you took your first photo?

    We both loved cameras since we were kids. We were both 8 when we started loving cameras using our parent’s Polaroid cameras and buying disposable cameras with our allowance/birthday money.

    We always had cameras like Fuji and Luminex when we were kids capturing our lives, friends and travels.

    When Ally was 20 she purchased a Canon Rebel and started to take photography more seriously until she purchased her first true professional grade equipment in 2013 purchasing Canon 6D, 70-200 mm f/2.8 Canon lens and a 35mm f/1.4 Canon lens.

    From there we both continued purchasing professional grade equipment as our business grew.

    When did you realize that you wanted to be a professional photographer?

    Ally always wanted to be a professional photographer.

    The dream became even more strong once she turned 13 and got her first video camera and Fuji camera. She always loved being an artist. She thought she wanted to be a director but quickly realized she preferred taking photos.

    Nick always knew he wanted to be an artist in some way. He loved acting, singing and performing. He became a successful model and actor which gave him great experience being on the other side of the camera.

    Once he met Ally who had a passion for photography, he started taking photos as opposed to being the subject. He naturally transitioned into a photographer even though he still models. His past and knowledge of modelling gives him a great perspective on shooting.

    Who inspires you?

    Each other as well as our couples, connection, the people we get to meet and the people we love. Cinema greatly inspires us also

    What camera do you use to capture most of your work?

    Canon 5D Mark III

    If I could photograph anyone in the world, alive or deceased, it would be…?

    Robin Williams

    What do you do when not taking photos?

    We love watching a good series or movie. Cinematography really inspires us. If we aren’t taking photos, we’re also doing yoga, dancing, being active, traveling, learning, cooking and baking, going on adventures and spending time with the people we love

    Favorite place on earth?

    Thailand

    One piece of advice for someone at the beginning stages of their photography career?

    Never stop learning. Believe in yourself. If you want this bad enough, always push and challenge yourself.

    Never stop making goals and meeting them. And be a good human. Be kind, be humble and work hard.

    Never lose sight of why you love photography and why you started. For us, its the people, so that’s what we focus on every single day.

    How do you “Live The Moment”?

    We focus on the present. We make plans for the future but we take life day by day and see where it takes us.