Running for the Los Lunas School Board…
Deciding to run for the Los Lunas School Board may be one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done.
About a month and a half ago, after a long year volunteering with the LLHS Tiger Band Boosters, I made the decision to run. It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed my mind. For years I told myself, “Someday, when the boys are older, when I have more time, then I’ll run.” But as it turns out, “someday” has arrived.
If you want to know more about my campaign, you can visit www.electnicole.org.
And here’s where I want to be upfront: if you’d rather not read about my faith, this is your invitation to stop here. Because the truth is, I can’t talk about this step without talking about what God is teaching me through it.
Facing My Fears
Heavenly Father has a way of putting me in situations that expose my deepest fears. For most of my life, I’ve avoided being controversial. I’ve shared little about myself online, afraid of being judged.
Now? I’ve stepped into a role where every word I speak, every decision I make, and every action I take is open to judgment. For someone who has always been more comfortable leading quietly from behind, this is terrifying.
But here’s what I’m learning:
I have a voice.
I have a story worth sharing.
And courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means deciding something else matters more than fear.
(Yes, I’m quoting a Disney movie here. But it’s true: courage is the judgment that something is more important than fear.)
Choosing Boldness
I’m not announcing my candidacy to “become a princess” or anything like that. But I am choosing to publicly say: serving this community is more important than my fears.
That realization is changing me. I’m learning to be less timid and more bold. To speak up instead of shrinking back. To actually define what community means to me and dream about what we can build together.
What Community Means to Me
That word—community—is at the heart of not only why I’m running, but also why I’ve poured myself into my business, Nicole Bradshaw Photography.
When people step into the Nicole Bradshaw Photography community, my hope is that they feel more than just “photographed.” I want them to feel the nostalgia of the moment the images were created—the laughter, the hugs, the ordinary magic of that season in their lives. I want them to feel seen: known, understood, and appreciated exactly as they are.
This is a space that’s warm, welcoming, joyful, and real. A place where family and community are celebrated, and where encouragement flows freely. You don’t have to share the same faith to belong here, but you’ll find that family, connection, and belonging are woven into everything I do.
If someone leaves my community, I want them to carry with them more than photos they’ll treasure. I want them to know they are loved. That they’ll always have a place here. That their everyday life—ordinary and extraordinary alike—is worth remembering. And that they will always be part of something bigger than a single photo session or wedding day.
If this business were a table, it would be surrounded by family and friends, gathered close. Around it, there would be stories and laughter, tears for those who aren’t here anymore, and plans for the next get-together. After the meal, UNO cards would appear, and the night would end with dishes washed, leftovers tucked away, and everyone leaving with a deep sense of belonging—knowing they were exactly where they were meant to be until next time.
That’s the kind of community I want to build—whether through photography, or in service on the Los Lunas School Board. One where people don’t just feel seen, but feel home.
The Invitation
I don’t have all the answers, and I won’t get everything right. But I do know this: fear isn’t going to have the final say.
My hope is to lead and to love in such a way that this community—whether through the photos I create or the decisions I help make—feels safe, seen, and celebrated.
And I’d love for you to be part of that vision with me.