NICKOLAS RAY
Name: Nikolas Ray Wilkie
Age you feel: Ripe
Where did you grow up? Wappingers Falls, NY
What was the first project you’ve ever worked on as a photographer?
One of the first paid gigs I ever worked on was actually event coverage for a Samsung phone debut. Nothing to write home about, but it was certainly one of those “aha moments” that allowed me to realize being a full time photographer could be a reality.
What does it take to become a brand photographer especially for a company like CHNGE Clothing, that involves transparency and philanthropy?
A willingness to adapt and make sacrifices. It is essential to have an understanding that as a brand photographer, it is not all about you. It’s about facilitating the wants and needs of the company and being a team player!
For the most part, most creatives will talk about a process- what would you say is your creative process?
My creative process certainly shifts, but for the most part it’s quite simple. First step is to determine who I would like to shoot with, lately it’s been family and friends or people who are artists themselves and make something I resonate with. Having chemistry with the subject is very important for my process. Next would be to determine what it is that defines them and go from there. I don’t normally work on sets with full blown productions (nothing wrong with that), but i prefer to just link up with the individual at a determined location and hangout, have conversation and take photos in between. I don’t like my personal photo projects to feel like work for anyone.
How do you remain authentic even when confronted with commercial campaigns of work?
Having actual conversation. I like to talk a lot, sometimes so much it gets me in trouble haha. I always make it a point to try and establish some level of chemistry with the team i’m working with on campaigns as I believe the flow of everyone’s energy on set is what will determine the authenticity of the shoot. No amount of perfected lighting or camera work can achieve that in my opinion. For me, It’s about maintaining a comfortable environment for all parties involved.
What has been the most impactful learning lesson you bore out a project you’ve worked on?
To not take things personally, and that it’s okay to fail and make mistakes. These are all a part of the process, and serve to facilitate growth moving forward.
Most of your work is rooted in activism, specifically campaigns that are about the Black experience and Black Lives Matter movement. Is there ever a frustration in wanting to keep these things separate in your photography? I.e. does it feel as if you’re labeled a Black photographer rather than a photographer and if so what effect does this have on you professionally and personally?
I personally try not to let things such as that frustrate me. Everyone is equipped with their own biases towards things. I seek to understand the intent behind people’s actions and share my honest thoughts about them. I think there exists a lot of performative black empowerment actions right now, but I also think a lot of them have good intentions but are inherently misguided. I think having more open conversations and validating black experiences will serve to better educate people and rid our language of these boxes in which we feel we need to fit.
What are your earliest memories of developing your own style of photography?
Honestly, I feel I’m just now getting into my groove as of the last year. When I first started taking photos a few years back, I always tried to emulate and recreate what I saw other photographers doing. In hindsight it was great practice in teaching me how to really use a camera and how to edit. Now, when I’m taking photos, I’m thinking about it in a different way, I’m certainly more relaxed and confident in what i’m shooting and there exists a level of foresight that I never had prior.
What is the most awkward thing that’s happened on a shoot?
Fortunately, nothing too wild, but I’ve definitely shown up to a shoot with a dead camera battery or missing a memory card more times than I’d like to admit haha.
To find more of Nick’s photography follow him here.
