A. K. Nicholas - Photographer
I am an American photographer with a passion for collaborating with models and sharing knowledge. My vision is colored an upbringing abroad, traveling to dozens of countries, including museum visits and other cultural experiences. In the Middle East, I saw how women's bodies were hidden from public view; in most of Europe, there was little prudishness. In my youth, I put in my dues clerking and staffing the darkroom of a camera store. My background includes an art degree, a long stint as a freelance artist, and a career as a professional photographer.
My first camera was hand-made from an oatmeal box for a middle-school project. My first nude shoot was a complete surprise to me when a classmate in college assumed that my invitation to model meant for her to be nude. In the decades since then, I have photographed hundreds of nude models for publication in books, articles, as framed prints, product advertisements, stock agencies, and gallery exhibits. My exhibit work consists mainly of photomontage, sometimes printed life-sized. These days, when I pick up a camera, it is to fulfill a personal calling and not the agenda of a client. I am happiest working on creative projects and devote as much time as possible to new ideas. My second favorite thing is helping others further their artistic endeavors. I write to help you learn from my experiences, including how to avoid some common mistakes and to encourage your creativity.