Conversations with Nikki Phillips

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Phillips.

Hi Nikki, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I remember, I’ve always had a camera in hand. It began with 35mm film and disposable cameras in the 90s and early 2000s, followed by digital point-and-shoots, and eventually entering the world of DSLR. In my younger years, my favorite things to capture were school field trips. I spent my teenage years attending shows, weekend trips to New York City, anything that allowed me to document friends, music… the scene I was in. In my early 20s, I had lost touch with photography. I moved from a Philly suburb to Los Angeles in 2013 and felt the spark a few years after that. I dusted off my favorite pastime and polished up my skills at local shows where free shooting was allowed. I met a few local artists along the way, which allowed me to branch out and begin my networking. Fast forward to present day and I have added almost every band I adored growing up to my roster. (I still have some on my bucket list though). I am currently freelance photographing and writing for online media outlets, hoping to transition to a permanent gig in the industry.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most, I deal with imposter syndrome on a fairly regular basis. It is no secret that this industry is competitive at all angles. With the advancement of social media, it can be tempting to compare yourself to others. I find myself sometimes falling into a cycle of browsing and admiring other concert photographers’ work online followed by some unwelcome self-criticism. I have learned to manage it better in time, but I think it is something that regardless of how confident you are, you find yourself critiquing yourself against total strangers. Aside from that personal aspect, it can be challenging to break into networking and meet people, especially when there is a lot of pre-established circles. Climbing the ladder from a complete novice to a more intermediate level took a lot of denials and no responses. I am finding myself to be at the next set of stairs as I begin to look for a more stable position in the realm of music photography.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a photographer, I am passionate about capturing split-second moments. Whether a candid facial expression, physical motion, or something in the background, I strive to get that snapshot of anything reactive. I have defaulted to concert photography as my favorite subject to shoot, which I owe to my immense love of music and live performance. I am a fan of all genres, but a lot of people associate my photography with the rock scene: pop punk, alternative, pop rock, emo, metalcore, etc. I grew up immersed in pop punk and emo so when I am shooting some of my favorite artists from two decades ago, it really does hit home for me. I do love to shoot candidly behind the scenes as well, such as: studio recording, on set video shooting, off-stage tour moments, etc. I prefer my work to have an artistic edge to the final product. I edit each shot manually, without presets, so that the potential for each shot really shines through the final piece. I also have a big knack for black and white photography. There is something so intimate about it — even in the craziest moments, a monochromatic shot can trigger a lot of emotion. I really admire the timeless appearance and documentary feel. In 2021, I released a limited NFT collection titled Monochrome Stage, which features my original black and white concert photography. At the time, there was nothing like it on the blockchain and in the rising world of NFTs and cryptocurrency.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My best friend Sarah has been a huge sidekick in supporting me, being a pair of second eyes, and tagging along at shows with me. I truly appreciate every single person who shares my work, mentions my name or does anything to help me further achieve my dreams. Huge credit is also due to every single artist who has given me the opportunity to shoot (especially in the beginning) and who has continually invited me back. I am grateful to Eter Matsiashvili and Corey Kleinsasser for their encouragement and trust in my work and helping build the bridge to work with (as well as discover) a long list of amazing artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://nikki-phillips.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikkiphillips
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikkiphillips

Image Credits
Nikki Phillips