Charisse Tinio on 20 Years of Nice Print: Building a Business, Raising a Legacy

As Nice Print marks its 20th year, Charisse Tinio reflects on growing a brand that captures milestones — while protecting the one that matters most: family

For two decades, Nice Print Photo has documented some of life’s most meaningful moments — from celebrity weddings to quiet, intimate family celebrations. Behind the lens is Charisse Tinio, co-founder and creative force, who built the company alongside her husband, Jibby, while raising three children.

Beyond the polished portraits and grand productions is a mother who learned to balance passion, pressure, and parenting — often all at once.

When Passion Becomes Responsibility

Charisse has always loved documenting celebrations. But turning artistry into a sustainable business required structure, discipline, and hard decisions.

“There’s really a lot of balance that you need to do,” she shares. “It’s hard to pour your creative side into things, but it’s equally hard to manage a business and run a company with so many people dependent on you.”

At its peak, Nice Print employs over a hundred team members — people she considers family. For Charisse, profitability isn’t just about numbers; it’s about stewardship. The business has to thrive not only for growth, but for the people who rely on it.

“There was a time when I was doing everything — finance, sales, operations,” she recalls. “But if you’re going to lead a company, you have to trust. You have to learn how to delegate.”

Letting go didn’t mean stepping back. It meant stepping up as a leader. And that shift created space — for both her company and her home to flourish.

Charisse Tinio with newlyweds Jamie Herrell and Matthew Manotoc during their wedding

The Wedding That Changed Everything

Among the countless milestones Nice Print has documented, one remains pivotal: the wedding of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid.

“We were just four or five years into the wedding industry when they trusted us,” Charisse says. “They were part of Nice Print’s history because they gave us their trust even before anybody else did.”

Years later, Nice Print documented the couple’s renewal of vows — and most recently, the wedding of Ogie’s daughter, Leila. For Charisse, that full-circle moment was more than validation.

“It shows how people value not just the work, but the relationship.”

Because beyond aesthetics, Nice Print built its name on connection.

Relationships Over Recognition

In an industry known to be competitive, Charisse believes longevity comes down to character.

“Being in this industry for 20 years, I’ve learned that what keeps you there is not just talent or leadership — but how you treat everyone around you.”

She goes beyond the call of duty for clients and staff alike, forming relationships that often extend far past the event itself. It’s a value she practices both in business and at home.

Today, Nice Print has expanded into several ventures — from a maternity and infant studio arm to Print Divas (invitations and stationery), Knotville Factors (souvenirs), Cremosa (baked ensaymada), and even pet supplies.

Charisse with her husband Jibby and their kids

Family as Her Anchor

For Charisse, entrepreneurship and motherhood don’t compete — they inform each other.

Having her husband as her partner in business makes all the difference. While she leads marketing and client relations, Jibby manages operations behind the scenes. Together, they face challenges as equals — in boardrooms and at the dinner table.

“When I face every challenge, I never face it alone,” she says.

Motherhood sharpened her sense of accountability.

“As a mom, there’s accountability in everything you do — not just in business, but in everyday life.”

She leads with integrity because she knows her children are watching. The way she runs her company mirrors the values she teaches at home: fairness, honesty, compassion.

“I want my kids to see that we’re not doing this just for money. We’re doing things the right way.”

Even during pregnancy, she remained hands-on — working until weeks before giving birth. Motherhood didn’t slow her down; it strengthened her resolve.

“There was a drive inside me when I became a mom. I wanted to make a difference.”

Showing Up — No Matter What

Presence, for Charisse, is non-negotiable.

Whether it’s a graduation, a school gathering, or an international jet ski competition, she makes it a point to be there. She once attended the GMA Ball and rushed straight to the airport to catch a flight for her son’s competition abroad.

Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Always.

“Being a mom is a 24-hour job. Leading a company is also a 24-hour job. But when your priorities are clear, it becomes easier.”

Her children know that no matter how demanding work becomes, they come first.

Pivoting With Purpose

The pandemic tested Nice Print in ways no business could have anticipated. With events halted, uncertainty loomed for nearly three years. Instead of retreating, Charisse pivoted — expanding into new ventures to sustain her team and protect their livelihood.

“It was a tough time,” she admits. “But I think my kids saw that no matter what life throws at you, if you work hard and your heart is in the right place, you can survive anything.”

Resilience, she believes, is best taught through action.

Twenty Years — And Just Beginning

As Nice Print celebrates two decades, Charisse’s focus has shifted from growth to gratitude. Through #ItsGivingNP20, the company is finding ways to give back to the community that has supported them since day one.

“At a certain point, it’s not about getting to the top,” she reflects. “It’s about the bigger picture — how to help more people and give back.”

To the moms who hesitate to start something because of fear or guilt, she offers this reminder:

“Don’t ever feel guilty that you are just a mom, because you’re not just a mom. You are a mother. And that’s the most important task you’ll ever have.”

The fear may never fully disappear, she says. But with the right support system — and clear priorities — anything is possible.

“It’s never too late to start again or to build something from scratch at any season in your life.”

Behind the polished portraits and perfectly captured celebrations is a woman who understands what true legacy means.

It isn’t just in photographs. It’s in the values passed down, the people you uplift, and and in the family you choose to protect — at home and at work.

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