Nola Lopez grew up in New York City and learned about taking photographs and making all kinds of art from her father. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Smith College in Massachusetts and studied graphic design and illustration at Chelsea School of Art in London.

After working as a designer/illustrator, a window dresser and photographer's stylist, she decided to pursue photography as a career. She describes her work as conceptual still life and collage and works with a diverse group of clients including Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, In Style, W, Fortune, Random House, A&M Records, Citibank, Merrill Lynch and Visa among others.

She has been featured in both American Photography and American Illustration and has won numerous awards from The Society of Publication Designers.