Meet NATHAN WATERS | Expressionist, Photographer & Stylist

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

Hi NATHAN, what role has risk played in your life or career?

A revolving door of fear has always been a path of difficulty especially when something is a relatively new experience. In my journey, I had to learn the basics of separating my subconscious and conscious. The subconscious to me is what presents the distracting fear, the uncertainty, the ultimate levels of confusion.

Oftentimes in life, we consider our dreams a risk. The thought of doing something instead of taking the leap of faith. I approach risk and risk taking by trusting my higher self. Listening to the sound of my compass embedded in my heart process. I reward my mind by saying, “The least that will happen is rejection but most importantly, we will learn from this.” In the previous statement, “this” can simply be defined as any situation that’s considerably new or unfamiliar. I had to speak to myself deeply as I had some alone time to tell myself that life’s about the process of learning how to become “Comfortable with the Uncomfortable.

Fear is a taught statement of mind. Fear is as prevalent as the language English is. Imagine the amount of times as a child, we practiced our ABCs, 123s, or how to spell. After visualizing that, I want us to then say, well how many times was fear then taught to me as a child?

At a certain point in life, we become our own teachers. We have become our greatest teachers of fear just as we learned how to speak any language. How do I approach risk and risk taking? By unpacking the teachings of fear. By understanding the bigger picture of how fear is only but an illusion.

 Those instincts we feel inside, that voice inside of us that we keep hearing is our higher self speaking in light of where we are and where we can be.

In my process, I tend to think about my fears and that has much association with risk. Taking risks for me has significantly helped build strong character habits, strong responses to hesitation, and any forms of doubt. I’m not saying we will completely remove me neither am I saying that all fears can’t be removed, but what I will say to us all is to remain confident and stand courageous to what we “think” can stop us.  Doubling down and betting on myself is what lead me to the experiences that leave me in awe.

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

As a multifaceted expressionist, I am required to keep up with my calendar with scheduled phone calls, meetings, music sessions, and many more aspects as a creative person. Being a film photographer, stylist, bts director, model, but most importantly a  musician takes up most of my time which I love because they all connect with one another.  Music is my number #1 but I tend to keep that side of me concealed from the world. I can’t just release a product without taking the time out to deeply think about the process and result of what I am presenting to the world. Along with working on music, I help take digis for up and coming models while assisting in areas of styling.

Helping artists with content and footage during their photoshoots or music videos as well.

 My time as a photographer & stylist means the world to me because I enjoy helping others reach a point where they feel comfortable with how they look in front of the camera. We are all continuously in our head about presentation because of social media beauty standards.

We tend to have a habit of disassociating ourselves from ourselves which leaves one in a state of confusion. Well, I personally am proud when I see others proud. I like to remind people I work with that the “awkwardness” or uncomfortable emotions we feel while modeling are simply you being you. To understand that we are a 1 of 1 in life!

I’ve gotten to this professional point by staying deep rooted with those who believe in my work and message. By understanding my mission and “why.”

 Talking less, but more importantly, listening more to what people want out of me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

It has been a total of six years since I’ve eaten a piece of turkey or chicken so this one can be interesting to navigate but I still tend to make this work. Most of my friends love accommodating me, but I’ve taken a good amount of friends to Sage Vegan Bistro.

A Lot of my friends love the Brazilian burrito or the Buffalo Cauliflower wings. Prince street pizza has some dishes that are good as well.

Outside of food, I really enjoy nature walks. Hikes, viewpoints, or  any National Park truthfully, mean a lot to me.  I’m heavy on nature experiences that are refreshing to the mind, body, and soul. Griffith park has some great areas to sit and enjoy. I love the coast of California as well because of the different layers and aspects here. One thing about LA natives is that we can sometimes tend to stay in our bubble of routine, but LA has so many aspects to see. Trips up north whether Sacramento or Oakland are worth the effort. As an alum of Chico State, I’d love to take some friends there because the campus is so beautiful.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I have so many people to credit for much of my success. I would love to thank my ancestors for teaching me the truths within myself. The guidance from them has been like no other and I’ve always been inspired by what they laid down as a foundation to follow.

My father has always been a heavy inspiration for me as he’s the reason why I am so artistic in my approach. Father was on another level in regards to his fashion, the way he would take pictures, walk, talk to women, I mean from so many angles, my pops was everything. Everyone for the most part grew up with a single mother, but not many times do you hear about a single father being able to raise a black man to rise above the hinders of the world.

My grandmother taught me so much softness and care in life. She grew up in the era where others would throw trash at you based on your appearance but never did it break her. I did my stuff in school for the reason of her not being able to get past the 7th grade.

My uncle Jazzy was a personal driver for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson early in his career. My uncle has some credited work in the movie “Life(1999).” My uncle always had a great heart and that side of him still resonated with me still. He would always have a vhs camera and polaroid and it’s so ironic how I specialize in that now in my career.

My 1500 or Nothin/Academy family has been my most recent inspiration in life because we as a team have been growing so much in the art world. Attending that school changed my perspective on how detailing your approach to who you are grew into a level of intention I never knew that was reachable.

There is not enough time for me to list the amount of folks that inspired the kid. We’d be here until tomorrow if I were to list who’s helped me. To everyone who’s helped me, I just want to send a personal thank you.

For the ones before and after me. The ones to the left and right of me, my brothers and sisters!

Let’s continue to build a reach we never knew was obtainable.

Website: https://iylislvn.wixsite.com/nathanwaters

Instagram: @nnathanwaters

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwaterrs/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nnathanwaters

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanwaters/videos

Image Credits
Photographer 1: @k.rw.n (THE KERWIN) , Nails : @eli.munguia , Lighting: @sarabaae