Nicholas is an award-winning photographer and an industrial and documentary filmmaker. He has been nominated for eleven Emmys for cinematography and directing, a Clio and several Telly awards. Nicholas has completed scores of documentaries, industrial films and documentary style films for corporations and other institutions around the world, such as Rockwell Collins, National Stroke Association and Red Cross Mile High Chapter.

Nicholas was instrumental in founding the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, for which he served as president and vice president. He also served two terms on the board of governors of the Heartland Chapter of National Academy of Television & Sciences.