Cool Photos of Cool People: NIKO

Shooting. It’s pretty much all I’ve ever wanted to do. Be it for short films, TV pilots or on a disposable camera for that element of surprise, being around the camera has been my greatest joy. The last few months I’ve acquired an incredibly deep admiration for my immediate surroundings and the intricacies that define their beauty. The cracks in the paint on my dad’s old shed, the dying Pine trees that look like they are rusting, the way the light pours onto the concrete turning it gold in the afternoon… so many things I all of a sudden wanted to capture forever. Luckily, I know some amazing people who are always willing to help bring these visions of mine to life.

Queue: Niko. An incredibly talented (and tall!) photographer, philosophical mind and Vine appreciator. In Italian, Niko would be described as ‘simpatico.’ He radiates a calming energy and bright light, which is a rare combination. He is also a brilliant model to work with, often posing how I wanted without instruction. It helps we both assisted in an incredibly fast-paced photography studio, so posing and movement are forever ingrained into our minds! Whether I wanted to shoot in the autumn crusted trees, on my dad’s semi-trailer, in the middle of a construction site or atop a tin roof, Niko was up for it. We shot for about four hours from the front to the back of my family’s property, but it felt more like 5 minutes. What can I say? Time flies when you’re having fun!

This time I wanted to bring something more personal into play, so I interviewed Niko and paired his words with my favourite images below. I shot both Digital and Film and have pulled the entire gallery together HERE. That’s right - HERE.

Can’t wait to take more cool photos of cool people.

Enjoy!

Adrianne

Let’s start with the basics. Where were you born and raised?

Born in Tarquinia, Italy, lived there a few years but I grew up most of my life in Australia.

One part of Italy I have yet to see! Where in the world feels most like home to you?

I don't think I could say with certainty a singular place, but if I had to choose it would be anywhere in the world with a kitchen and friends to cook for.

A pretty perfect answer. I have to ask - what’s your signature dish?

Carbonara!

I think the next shoot we do is going to have to involve food! Now tell me, what are you most passionate about?

Photography, rock climbing and travel.

Photography I may have had an inkling about…Where would you say your love for photography began?

Being mentored by photo journalist Viki Ospina in Colombia.

That sounds absolutely incredible! What was your first ever camera?

It was a Nikon FM2.

What do you absolutely love to shoot?

I’d have to say protests and street photography.

I’ve seen your work and i have to say I really admire they way you dive right into the midst of protests. What inspires you the most both as an artist and a person?

The works of war photographers and journalists like James Natchez, Chris Hondros, Lynsey Addario…

What’s one thing people wouldn’t know about you?

Nothing particularly remarkable.

I have to disagree - you do a stellar Christopher Walken impression! Okay, name the three coolest places you’ve ever been:

They would have to be El Choco, Colombia, Havana, Cuba and Paris (specifically during a yellow vest protest)!

What is one film you’re obsessed with and why:

The Raid Redemption (1 and 2), for the fantastic fight choreography in conjunction with set pieces, budget, camera angles and practical effects.

Adding them to my list! Okay, so you’re hosting a dinner and you can invite any three figures throughout history:

Carl Sagan, Carl Jung and Dante Alighieri.

I might have to steal Dante the next time I get asked that question! Moving into modern territory, what is something from the internet you quote way too much?

"Hey Demons, it's me… ya boi."

Honestly, a brilliant choice. And finally, if you could go back in time and give your 13 year old self advice, what would it be?

I would say ‘take care of yourself… and invest in bitcoin.’

Images shot on my Canon 5D Mark IV and Pentax K1000 using Portra 800.

I liked it, so I shot it #3

There’s this tiny half-brick house built in the 60’s I spent four years growing up in. It’s still standing in front of my current home, unoccupied. The hallways are so small that, as a child my arms could touch both walls simultaneously. The stairway that leads to the back door is made of aged wood, probably from trees much older than me that used to stand at the back of our property. I shared a room with my little sister, both the best and the worst. I used to sleep with a portable Sony radio under my pillow to block out the noise of cars and people too awake for midnight.

Walking in for the first time in too long, it was almost exactly as it was when 9-year-old me walked in for the first time. The walls are a noticeable white; the kitchen still stuck in 1979. Hexagonal bathroom tiles still a faded pastel blue and the same mirror still propped up on the wall - an attempt at making it feel bigger than it really is. There’s nothing like walking through a childhood memory vault to remind of the essence of time.

I had wanted to shoot in there for months and I knew exactly what I wanted. Then all of a sudden Covid-19 hit and I knew if I didn’t act fast it would be many more months until I’d be able to make it happen. I called one of my best friends Selena although I wouldn’t have to ask and we got to work on this vision right away.

The funny thing is this shoot mirrors the current state we are in, but I had this idea months ago. The feeling I wanted to evoke, the aesthetic I wanted to create was all centered around the fact this house is empty; isolated. It’s always looked the same, as if it were frozen in time but despite it’s hollowness there is still life within it. What life you may ask? Memories. In my head I could see the shots of blinding white walls with whatever natural light was available, colours from the 70’s and a girl. Maybe she lived there many moons ago; maybe she is there still - stuck, but unaware of time.

Did I inadvertently predict this period of isolation? Was this idea a premonition back in February? Who knows. What I do know, is I liked it, so I shot it.

You can view the full gallery here.

Stay safe,

Adrianne

I liked it, so I shot it #2

Once again inspiration hit and I had no model. So with my Mark IV, my backyard and the 2pm sunlight I headed out to do a self-shoot.

I used my dad’s old work van and his shed for those rustic vibes and colours. My favourite creative moment was glancing over at the ladder and deciding to shoot through instead of on it. The unplanned and unexpected ideas are always the best!

There is actually a 70s Cher inspired shoot I have been wanting to do for a while on film (and I will!), but in the meantime here are some photographs with a hint of that vibe to kick off the new year. The one I initially want to do is more grainy and not as warm in texture, but I’m happy with the aesthetic of this one. :)

Makeup, styling, photos and editing by yours truly.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Adrianne

I liked it, so I shot it #1

I am a very observant person. Constantly taking in my surroundings and noticing the little things. When I see something I like for whatever reason - it’s rustic, rundown, has loads of junk that can be used as props, or it just looks plain cool, I will want to shoot there.

In one glance I’ll have about 137563790 ideas for shots I want and I’ll make it my goal to capture those images within a maximum of two hours. Unless of course it’s a warehouse that isn’t exactly abandoned and there’s a risk of getting caught, but I love these challenges!

These were taken in a yard close by to my home where I noticed piles of industrial equipment had recently replaced the open, lush greenery. There was also an old, burnt car sat amongst the metal which I immediately knew I wanted to get shots with. Having only one afternoon to get the shots, I set out to jump the fence and do a self-shoot . I was obviously limited for model choices but for anyone that knows me I love being ion front of the camera as much as behind it, so it was no issue for me! Plus, when you do self-portraits you get exactly the posing and framing you are going for which is great!

I’ll be sure to share more of these little challenge shoots I go on and cannot wait for the next one.

Adrianne x