Meet Maria Nikolis | Photographer | Creative Director

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

Hi Maria, 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?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My career as a photographer and creative director has been a thrilling journey of constant evolution and discovery. There was no roadmap to follow when I first started in the industry. I’ve been carving out my path over the years. In a field as dynamic and competitive as mine, I’ve learned to continuously evolve, embracing each challenge as an opportunity for growth. My path has been one of relentless exploration and learning, fueled by a diverse range of creative endeavors and the invaluable guidance of mentors at every stage.

In the early years of my career, I immersed myself in various creative pursuits, always eager to learn and grow. This exploratory phase was crucial, as it allowed me to understand the value of putting myself out there and the courage to venture into the unknown. It’s about asking the right questions, pushing boundaries, and discovering what truly resonates with me. This process is exhilarating, daunting, and deeply rewarding. My passion thrives in environments where I can indulge my curiosity and venture into uncharted territories. The most enriching experiences have come from creative collaborative endeavors that I have pursued, where I’ve had the privilege of working alongside diverse teams, where together we brainstorm ideas, tackle complex problems, and drive growth and change. All of this is especially important for developing a style and visual voice.

After receiving my undergraduate degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, I delved deep into the fine art community, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. I learned from industry leaders and assisted many notable photographers in the fashion and editorial space. From there, I landed a lead role at Christie’s Auction House, where I specialized in product photography. My time at Christie’s was particularly formative, allowing me to photograph some of the world’s most extraordinary pieces of art. These experiences have shaped my current focus on photographing and leading creative direction for renowned brands in the advertising and marketing space, including Simplehuman, Clorox, Sephora, Levi’s, P&G, Native, Clean Beauty Collective, and more.

I am deeply passionate about both art and photography, finding my greatest fulfillment in blending these forms to craft compelling visual stories. As a conceptual photographer, my work is deeply rooted in the art of storytelling. Through my artistic lens, I enjoy spectatoring my present reality, documenting the banal and transforming everyday scenes into narratives that resonate on a deeper level.

In the realm of product photography, my approach shifts to highlight the intersection of artistry and commerce. Here, my love for color and meticulous attention to detail come to the forefront. I focus on showcasing products in ways that capture their essence and tell their stories. This involves understanding the brand’s identity and the message it wishes to convey and translating that into visually compelling imagery. My goal is to create photographs that attract the viewer’s eye and encapsulate the quality and ethos of the product, making each image an integral part of the brand’s narrative.

As a creative director, I unite my skills in conceptual and product photography, overseeing projects from inception to completion. This role involves more than the creation of imagery; it includes strategizing how these images fit into a broader marketing context. It’s about understanding the brand’s vision and aligning it with creative expression. In this capacity, I work closely with teams to ensure that every visual element aligns with the project’s goals, ensuring a cohesive and impactful message. Whether it’s a conceptual piece or a commercial project, I aim to fuse creativity with strategy, resulting in work that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also strategically effective.

My diverse artistic journey has led my work into private collections, galleries, and art publications. I’ve also dedicated time to volunteering with artist collectives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among female and non-binary photographers. This multifaceted career path reflects my commitment to not only creating visually stunning work but also contributing positively to the broader creative community.

Word of advice:

What I’ve learned over the years is that there will be abundant times and static times. Life is cyclical and varied. Embrace each phase with patience and perseverance. There will always be someone in a greater position than you, so seek them out and learn from them. Have a growth mindset and be a strong advocate for yourself. Don’t let other people’s opinions or judgments misguide you. You don’t need their approval. Be true to who you are and foster a community around you that isn’t intimidated by your expansion.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Hypothetically? If they have never been to LA before, I’d plan to visit just about all the staples that I know and enjoy.

First, would be to take them to one of my cousin’s famous restaurants. Preferably, Scopa Italian Roots in Venice/Santa Monica. DAMA and Black Market Liquor Bar are amazing eats too, but the menu at Scopa is very personal to my family and me, and a place I would want to share the experience of with friends.

Other great eats and iconic staples would for sure include breakfast at Toast, lunch at Canters Deli, or Malibu Seafood if we’re on the coast. Hollywood’s iconic landmark, The Dresden. Jazz at the Largo and drinks at the Rodger Room or Chestnut Club.

I would check in to see if there are any visiting and local art shows on view to put on the itinerary. In addition, I visited some of my favorite museums like the gardens at The Getty Center, LACMA, and The Broad to see Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror room. Then maybe swing by Angle’s Flight for a short train ride. Maybe catch a Saturday night movie via Cinespia at the Hollywood cemetery.

I enjoy being outdoors so The Marvin Braude Bike Trail off PCH to Venice would be a nice adventure for a day or a hike at Runyon. There are so many great places and neighborhoods in LA to visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There have been many individuals who have inspired me, guided me, mentored me, and supported me in one form or another throughout my journey and career stages. Each one of them has played a role in shaping me as an artist and individual, especially some of my dearest friends and fellow artists to whom I would pay homage: Emily Rose Larsen, Lena Nicholson, Ryan Handt, Jeanette Moncada, and Jon Castillo, to name a few. They’ve fostered my creativity and inspired me to keep going every day.

As for books, I recommend every creative read Ways of Seeing by John Berger, Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, and last but not least Mark Manson’s, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck. Need I say more? 😉

Website: www.marianikolis.com

Instagram: @marianikolis, https://www.instagram.com/marianikolis/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-nikolis

Other: www.marianikolis.studio, hello@marianikolis.com