Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Sebastian.
Nicki, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story has so many twists and turns—it’s difficult to encapsulate in a few paragraphs! I spent the better part of my young adult years diving into the arts—but went to college for biochemistry/pre-med! As soon as I realized that I couldn’t stomach the sight of blood, I made a quick U-turn and majored in painting and photography, then moved to NYC right after college to teach kindergarten and second grade. Following that experience, I obtained a graduate degree in arts administration, then bounced around museums and arts non-profits, with stints at the Guggenheim and Dia Art Foundation, where I learned how to market other artists—but I wasn’t satisfied promoting the work of others because I so deeply yearned to be creating my own (and ideally making a living off of it). Eventually, I found the inner confidence to jump head-first into freelance photography, and I’ve been running my business ever since—and haven’t second-guessed a day of this self-fulfilled career!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think the word smooth exists in my vocabulary. If I’m not struggling to achieve a breakthrough of some sort, I almost feel as though disaster is imminent—or I haven’t quite “earned” whatever is on the other side of the hurdle I’m trying to surmount. My life has been a series of mountains, and while the struggles have been plentiful, they’ve also allowed me to reinvent myself time and time again, shedding layers and finding a path straight to my real core. I’ve been a go-getter and somewhat of an eternal optimist from day one—and this has served me well in the face of so many challenges, the biggest being an out-of-the-blue leukemia diagnosis at the age of 38. Three years later, I’ve never been more “me”—and those struggles have indelibly shaped me into someone who never takes a minute for granted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a mother and film photographer—and those two jobs hold equal importance. My mothering defines my work in that I’m able to connect with kids and families on set and in homes in a way that allows me to capture their essence—and my photography informs my mothering because I’m constantly viewing the magic of my children through a lens of wonder, framing each day with intention, just like I do with my film camera.
I’m most proud of the fact that my approach to photography involves real human connection—and after enduring a cancer diagnosis in the midst of Covid with two small children at home, I have the ability to see right to the core of my subjects, honoring each and every one of them for who they are and what they bring to this life. Photography can be so many things: technical, mathematical, rooted in artistic expression—but for me, the basis of this art form is relationships. I approach my job with the ultimate goal of bonding with my crew, my subjects, and my peers—and while I’m constantly refining my film-based practice, I find that my ability to build community and also make others entirely comfortable in front of the lens by creating a natural human-to-human tie is how I’ve made somewhat of a name for myself in an industry that can often feel cut-throat and callous.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I realize I keep bringing up my cancer diagnosis, but it truly has been such a driver of how I’m living out the rest of my days, so it’s worth mentioning again when discussing risk-taking. I now view most risks as inconsequential, if not non-existent. Health risks are still very much a part of my day-to-day, as the fear of relapse is pretty much always front and center in my brain. But other types of risks (career, social, etc.) are simply opportunities with unknown outcomes. The worries and fears I used to harbor (fear of flying, confrontation, caring too much about what others thought) have dissipated almost entirely, and I now view risk as a welcomed part of my existence—because life is too short to not to take the leap.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nickisebastian.com
- Instagram: @nickisebastian
Image Credits
Nicki Sebastian
