10.Q Interviews: Photo Trekking Book Author - Nick Onken | Editorial & Humanitarian Photographer, Heber Vega.

[May 14, 2010]

Welcome to 10.Q Interviews. This section usually features interviews to Humanitarian, Cultural & Travel Photographers, their work and photography.

This week in 10.Q Interviews, Nick Onken:

“After developing a passion for art, Nick became a graphic designer and spent five years graphically designing things. And it was cool. And it went well. But when he started taking photos for a couple of his clients he got noticed and decided to get serious. So he took the camera out of his mouth and started pushing the button. A lot. Today, after shooting for clients like Nike, State Farm Insurance, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and Lamborghini, Nick is quickly spreading his philosophy of photography.A big believer in living in the moment, his photos follow suit. With a designer’s eye, he’s constantly searching for that perfect moment to tell the whole story. And the pursuit of these moments has taken him around the world. His love of travel has recently collided with his career and he’s published his first book, Photo Trekking. It’s also moved him from Los Angeles to New York City this year, abandoning the beautiful weather and tropical views in favor of subway lunatics and urban skylarking. The latter of which obviously lead to more interesting moments. You’ll never catch a palm tree doing back flips on a crowded train.” [read more]

1. Tell us about you and your photography. What kinds of shooting have you done?
Have you worked for any humanitarian organizations/magazines etc.? Could you name any current or former clients?

My photography consists of mostly lifestyle and travel work which I love equally. Travel work tends to slide into the more personal side of my work because I’m typically shooting what I want without client direction. I recently just shot for a charity called Pencils of Promise (http://www.pencilsofpromise.org) in Laos. We produced some branding imagery for them, which was exactly in line with what I love to shoot when shooting travel work. Current and past clients consist of:

Secret Deodorant – Reebok – State Farm Insurance – Suzuki – Cosmopolitan Magazine – Seventeen Magazine – Exxon Mobil – Brooks Running – Hilton Cigarettes – Improper Bostonian – Chivas – Bank of America – Lamborghini – Pedigree – Seattle Pacific University – Leo Burnett – R/GA – Nike – Ogilvy Brazil – Fnazca Saatchi & Saatchi Brazil – Auto Strassenverkehr Magazine – French Cosmopolitan – Biba France – Radiate Magazine – Marie Claire Australia – Smart Money – Pencils Of Promise – Via Magazine

2. We all know that you don’t get into humanitarian photography to become rich, so what does humanitarian photography mean to you? What’s your vision for it?
Doing humanitarian photography is a part of giving back to the world. I feel blessed to have a job that I do. It also combines my love of travel and my love of photography. It’s a win win all around.

3. How did you get into humanitarian photography? Where did you get the idea to shoot these kinds of people and groups?
I got into humanitarian work when I was a graphic designer in my previous career. I had an NGO client that I was able to go to Africa and shoot a photo library for. That’s where I realized how much I love doing it. Seeing other cultures that are less fortunate expands your world view. I enjoy sharing it with those around me.

4. What are the challenges of shooting for NGO’s or non-profit organizations?
The biggest challenge is funding. They usually don’t have it. That’s why it’s great to be able to shoot commercial advertising work to pay for humanitarian work and to live.

5. How much do you travel every year? How do you manage your family time?
I probably travel about half the year on average. I don’t have a family at this point in my life, but finding free time these days is tough. If I’m not shooting, I’m working on the business.

6. Who’s been an inspiration for your photography? How do you stay inspired?
Do you read blogs? If so, which ones would you recommend?
Ben Watts and Dewey Nicks are my top photography inspirations. I love their work. Blogs, I don’t read as much these days due to the lack of time to follow, but chasejarvis.com/blog is a great one, aphotoeditor.com, heathermorton.ca/blog

7. How do you normally approach people from other cultures? What are your limits at the moment of shooting people in need, or in a complicated situation?
I typically have a guide with me, or a friend that is local to the area. That is the best way you can get around and communicate with people. It’s also a great way to learn the local inter workings and cultural nuances. Things to be aware of, the right areas to be in, areas to stay away from etc. The threshold of shooting people in need is something that you can typically feel if it’s not the best thing. People tend to push away if it’s not right. Typically I see the joy in people, and that’s what shows through in my work even in those types of situations.

8. How do you promote your work?
I promote my work though my website, direct marketing campaigns, my agent and other indirect avenues. Making personal connections is also a big way of getting your work out there.

9. Tell us about the last piece of gear that you deemed important enough to buy. How about the one that’s been most important in your career?
The last big piece of gear was the 5DMKII so I can occasionally shoot video. I already have a pretty complete arsenal including my 1Ds MKIII which I love.

10. What would be your advice for a photographer who is just starting out in this field?
My advice is to shoot better pictures and show more people. Always be shooting and honing your craft. You have to keep showing more people because if you don’t, you will never get any work.

Links where you can Follow Nick’s work:

http:/www.nickonken.com/www/ (Nick official website, one of the most amazing user-friendly website that I ever seen)
http://nickonken.com/blog/
http://nickonken.com/blog/phototrekking (Photo Trekking, A Traveler’s Guide to Capturing Moments Around the World)
http://twitter.com/nickonken
http://www.facebook.com/nickonken
http://www.vimeo.com/nickonken
http://www.youtube.com/user/nickonken

Another Interview of Nick at Scott Kelby’s Blog, as Guest Blog Wednesday

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http://www.batdorffphotography.net/wordpress John Batdorff

Great interview…..killer video.
http://www.mateamichelangeli.com Maria Michelangeli

Heber, buenisimas todas las entrevistas. Excelente escogencia de los fotografos!
Keep up the good work!
http://www.hebervega.com heber vega

Hi @John and @Maria.

Thank you leaving us a comment.
We’ll try to keep up the good work, don’t doubt about it!

Thanks again.
http://www.sergevancauwenbergh.com Serge Van Cauwenbergh

I really enjoyed the interview! Great pictures and an incredible cool website!