Meet Nathan Sebakijje | Fine Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan Sebakijje and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Last night, my buddy and I made a conscious decision to go out and shoot, at night, in the pouring rain. Our attitude was this was what set apart the boys from the men. Right out the gate, we were battling the elements (and losing!). A total shit show, but we marched on. Then, as if by some miracle, the PHOTO GODS smiled on us, pitied us, and finally, had mercy on us.

The rain stopped, and what lay before us was photographic gold. Our efforts were rewarded with wet, empty Los Angeles streets! We explored and captured the different hoods of L.A. that we rarely get to explore. We got lost in the city and documented, beautifully, our adventures that night!

Earlier in the evening, we had discussed the importance of mental strength and our admiration of David Goggins. To achieve greatness, you have to give life all you got. If you can just push through a little adversity, what lies on the other side may surprise you. Clear skies!

To give this story just a little more context, I had gone out shooting every night that week and this was day 4. Shoutout to my lady for defining what it means to be a “ride or die” type of woman. Don’t give up!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I consider myself a cultural curator. In essence, I seek beauty in the form of creative arts in all forms. Whether literature, film, photography, music, etc., I scour the world (physical & digital) for dope shit. My photography is a manifestation of all these influences. I feed my mind with things that lift my soul and share it with others in the hopes of inspiring them. Not sure if I’ve cracked the code on this because the algorithm keeps changing.

Before photography, I would create avante-garde, left-field hip hop under the name DJ Rylo. My last record came out exclusively in Japan. In fact, my favorite story from these days is told by a good friend of mine named Presto (Concrete Grooves). He got booked to DJ in a very remote part of Japan and was surprised to hear my music playing upon arrival. When he mentioned knowing the artist (me) they were playing, they were in disbelief! His re-enactment of this moment gives me the upmost joy because I retired on a musical high note and picked up a camera next.

As a photographer, I strive to capture a vibe. A slice of time, which expresses that, which words escape. An answer to a question yet to be asked. A way to view ourselves and our time here through the camera lens. These images speak to those who share a common experience, way of thinking; my tribe. I am half British, half African and residing in the northeast Los Angeles while working on the West Side. I supervise a fine art print studio/gallery in Culver City named Art Printer. It is like working in a revolving art gallery that shows amazing work by both emerging and established artists in the city.

Getting to this point in my career has been, at times, hilarious, frustrating, exciting, magical, brutal, messy, humiliating, amazing, hella fun, hard, but all worth it! Such is the nature of a creative life. A life worth living.

Some hop on for the ride.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has a rich, and deep, history. With this in mind, when hanging out with friends, we try and visit/support establishments that hold a special place in the heart of the city. For example, we recently had a late night dinner at Canter’s Deli. The staff there was amazing! When we mentioned we were photographers, 2 different staff members essentially gave us a tour/brief history of the restaurant. Blew my mind to find out that it used to be a movie theater!

The pastrami sandwiches we had at Canter’s were especially delicious, considering we just came from drinking rum concoctions at a tiki bar. One of the heart-breaking aspects of living in Los Angeles is watching its rich history erode. Driving down the historic Broadway corridor in Downtown Los Angeles is a cautionary tale. The motivation behind shooting in the streets of LA is preservation. The things we cherish today could be a distant memory tomorrow.

Support small. Support local. Support history. Support each other!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I would like to shoutout VoyageLA for loving Los Angeles and the people in it! It is very important to share our stories, our struggles, our humanity. This big city can feel less scary with a community of like-minds.

Shoutouts to my family and friends; both new and old. Much love and respect for enriching my life with your presence, experience and lessons. I am the product of my environment so I surround myself with you. The few. The true.

Lastly, peace & blessings to those with the courage to dream. It is not the easiest path, but it is the most rewarding. Celebrate the victories, but also the losses, it is all part of the process. Word Hard. Play Harder. Repeat.

Website: nqspix.com

Instagram: nqsphotos

Linkedin: nathansebakijje

Twitter: nqsphoto

Youtube: nqsphoto

Other: Foundation: @nqspix

Image Credits
Shot on a mix of 35mm Film and Mirrorless Digital cameras by Nathan Quinton Sebakijje. Shop fine art photography prints at nqspix.com. Peace & blessings!