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Alumni Business Owners: Kevin Nestvogel '15

“UNCW’s film studies program helped me get my first job at Live Oak Bank. Now my business degree is not only helping me with my photography business, but also the finance side of the house at Live Oak Bank."
~ Kevin Nestvogel '15

Light breaks over the ocean

October 25, 2022 | Sarah Fetters

After about seven years of videography, photography and graphic design with Live Oak Bank, Kevin Nestvogel '15 recently transitioned to a new area and is working in the renewable energy space, servicing the bank's existing customers. With his Live Oak Bank career now outside of storytelling, Nestvogel is enjoying the creative outlet his Nested Photography business affords him. He can use his passion for photography in the ways he chooses, mainly within organic nature and landscapes.

Kevin Nestvogel in the water with his camera

 

An award-winning photo of Kevin Nestvogel's

Others have taken notice of Nestvogel's photography skills. In 2018, he was the grand prize winner in the Wildlife in North Carolina photo contest. His aerial shot of salt marsh in New Hanover County bested approximately 1,800 entries to win. The image was on display at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh and featured on the cover of the Wildlife in North Carolina magazine.

He believes his work stands out because of his ability to capture from multiple angles: with a drone, in the water or on land. He appreciates having a mix of all three.

"If there are other people out there who want to start their own business, they absolutely should," he says. "The biggest difference between people who have their own business and those that don’t is just taking that first step."

Hurricane Florence colors the skies as it rolls into North Carolina in 2018

Learn more about Nestvogel and his Nested Photography in this exclusive photo gallery.

Alumni-owned businesses are a point of pride for the UNCW Alumni Association and connect the Seahawk family across the country and around the globe. Search the directory of alumni-owned businesses to see where you can #ShopSeahawk.