Meet Nick Brandt | Photographer

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

Hi Nick, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I switched careers, from directing to photography , in my mid-thirties, frustrated by the crazy amount of creative energy wasted on attempting to get film projects financed. I also needed to express my feelings about the damage being done to all creatures, including humans, as a result of the destruction of the environment.

Photography allowed me to finally express myself in the way I wanted, and needed. One of the beauties of photography, generally, is the ability to create what you want, how you want, when you want. The best creative decision I ever made.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I became a photographer to express my feelings regarding there destruction of the natural world and its impact on us all – both human and animal. People often ask do I think my photography is creating change. I always reply that I have no idea – how could I know, really – but I do know that for me it’s essential to be part of a wave of people in all walks of life trying to build more of an awareness, more of a dialogue, about what humankind is doing to the planet, and all the creatures, both human and animal, on it.

This is why I come back to the line that I use endlessly: it is better to be angry and active than angry and passive.
Once you become active, the despair feels less overwhelming. Your actions, no matter how small, can energize and focus you.

Those of us who care must continue to do our damnedest to minimize the damage as best we can. To keep on fighting for all in the here and now, and for those beings that come after us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the mountains 50 miles west of Los Angeles, a place that although so close, feels like wilderness, and yet is also only a couple of miles from the ocean. So my favorite spot in the city is actually to be outside it, in nature, surrounded by birdsong. Multiple moments of joy on any given day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Since this is LA based, I will give my shout-out to David Fahey, founder of the Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles, who has represented and supported me for most of my photographic career, with multiple exhibitions, and of course print sales that enabled me to move on to the next project and the next.

Website: nickbrandt.com

Instagram: nickbrandtphotography

Image Credits
© Nick Brandt.