I am so excited to feature the beautiful work of Nikki Gardner of Art and Lemons on our Behind the Lens series this week. Some of you may be familiar with Nikki's work as she is a contributor to the very popular photography blog Mortal Muses and she has an e-course Develop Your Photo Habit & Style: 10 Minutes a Day for 31 Days.
As you can see from the images below, Nikki's images really make you feel like you are a part of the scene. Her work is so inspiring. Thank you Nikki for sharing your lovely images and story with us today!
Your Name: Nikki Gardner
As you can see from the images below, Nikki's images really make you feel like you are a part of the scene. Her work is so inspiring. Thank you Nikki for sharing your lovely images and story with us today!
Your Name: Nikki Gardner
Your studio/business name:
Art & Lemons
Location: Western
Massachusetts
Website:
www.artandlemons.com
Blog: www.artandlemons.com
Twitter/Facebook:
@artandlemons / https://www.facebook.com/pages/art-and-lemons/89697361900
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artandlemons
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/artandlemons
Your Style
In 50 words or less, how
would your clients describe your photography? I think my style would be
described as narrative, honest, engaging, and spontaneous with a bit of wit
thrown in every once and while. When I’m working with people, I want them to
trust my vision and to forget the camera is present.
Are you self-taught or
classroom trained? Classroom trained, but I’m forever a student of the medium.
How many years have you been
a professional photographer? I’ve been a fine art photographer since 2001. Over
the past five years, I’ve expanded into editorial photography as well.
Where do you want to take
your photography business in 5 years? I want to shoot more editorial and
lifestyle features for books, magazines, and newspapers.
Is there a photographer who
inspires your style? Yes, there are so many. I feel like my list of
influences is always evolving…
Who would that be?
Currently, I’m into Saul Leiter’s color street photographs, Alex Prager’s cinematic
narratives, Brian W.
Ferry’s artist and designer profiles, and Erin Kunkel’s food, lifestyle, and travel
photographs.
Favorite location to take
photos? Wherever there is light though I love to photograph New York City. It’s
vibrant and in constant motion, even at night.
Favorite vacation spot? Cape
Cod.
Your
Business
What was the pivotal moment
when you decided to become a photographer? In my early 20s I moved to Portland,
Oregon to attend a graduate studies program in International Business. A few
weeks into the program, I went out to dinner with some of my classmates. One of
the guys, I can’t even remember his name anymore, asked me what I wanted to do
after graduation. Truthfully, I said, I just want to take photographs. He
replied, then why don’t you. After that, I left the program and started taking
pictures. I wish I could remember his name to thank him.
What’s the best marketing
tip that has worked for you? Be bold. Constantly put yourself out there. Make friends
and genuine connections with people on social media and in person. Promote
other people’s work. Share what you do and your process. Be interested and
interesting with what you share online. Above all, keep pitching your ideas and
projects.
What’s the most surprising
thing a customer has asked you? During a solo gallery showing of my fine art
work, someone asked if the photographs in the series were real or made up.
Both, I replied.
Favorite print lab? For fine
art photography, I use a local lab, Pivot Media. I can go in a proof the
prints, and make adjustments to ensure the prints are spot on.
Your Gear
Are you Canon or Nikon (or
–other): Nikon
If you could only have one
lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens
What brand bag do you carry
your camera in? My digital bag is a small practical Lowepro. For film cameras,
I carry a large Tenba bag with a Polaroid Spectra, Nikon f100, and Hasselblad
500 cm.
What gear would we find in
your camera bag? Nikon d7000 (although I hope to upgrade to a Nikon d800 soon),
Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens, Nikon 24 -70mm f/2.8 lens, Nikon Speedlight SB/600.
Are you a natural light fan
or strobe fan? Natural light all the way.
Are you PC or Mac? Mac
Your Tips
and Tricks
What post processing tools
do you use? For digital images, I use Lightroom 5.6 and adjust my photos
manually. When I do use LR Presets, I like Totally Rad’s Replichrome Film
Presets, both I and II. For film images, I get the film developed at a local
lab, and then scan them with an Epson v700. Minimal editing is done in
Photoshop CS5.
Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg?
Raw
Best advice you would give
your 20-year old self? Trust your heart. Work on your craft. Don’t worry about
whether you have any talent or if you’re good enough or not. Think about whether
or not you are capturing something true, in yourself and in the moment. Also,
learn how to be a keen editor of your own work. This takes time and practice.
Be patient with yourself. You’ll make mistakes along the way. It’s okay. Pick
yourself up and start again.
Best advice you would give a
new photographer? Shoot constantly. Make photography your obsession. Decide
what you’re passionate about photographing and practice. Give yourself
assignments. Practice under varying conditions so that when you’re in the
field, you’ll have experience to fall back on. Do it until you tire of it, then
keep going. Push through until you make the kind of photographs you admire.
What site do you use for
your photography and why? Wordpress.org (although my portfolio site is
currently under construction.)
And just
because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks
Three things I can’t live
without…. Coffee, books, my yoga mat.
I wish I had more…..time to
travel and make photographs. I have a long list of places I want to photograph.
Now I need to make it happen.
The best thing about being a
photographer is… finding truth in everyday moments.
The most important lesson I
ever learned was….Say yes, even when you have no idea what you’re doing, just
say yes, then figure out how to accomplish what needs to be done.
My favorite time of day is…early
morning.
I love the way Nikki teaches her e-courses. I have just finished her second class and I learned things where I have looked at others work and did not know how to do. And she is very available.
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