Nick Watkin Speaks on His Visual Artist Inspirations
Nick Watkin Speaks on His Visual Artist Inspirations, His Favorite Photography Moments, Capturing Nipsey Hussle, Being Mentored By Ravie B And What’s To Come for 2020.
The reason I admire photographers and what they do is because they all have a unique eye for capturing the most memorable moments that we as fans love. As someone who truly appreciates looking at a great picture, I’ve grown to understand that being a photographer isn’t just taking a picture. The craft takes a certain amount of understanding in lighting and how something will look combined with certain angles. I’ve had the opportunity to speak and even build relationships with some of the dopest photographers out there and some of them I’ve admired from a far. Nonetheless, I respect their work ethic, hustle and all out ability to make the impossible possible.
Nick Watkin, a native New Yorker, is someone I’ve followed on social media for quite some time and I’ve been a huge fan of his visual art from the moment I saw it. We see a lot of concert and event photographers out there and a lot of them are really great at what they do but I think Nick has solidified himself as one of the best upcoming shooters in this creative space that we’re currently in. Not to mention he is being mentored by arguably one of the best established shooters in the industry in Raven Varona a.k.a Ravie B.
I had the opportunity to chat with Nick about his photographer inspirations, why he decided to become a visual artist, working alongside his mentor and his plans for expansion in 2020.
1 - Who or what were some of your personal inspirations growing up that motivated you to be a visual artist?
My dad would drew some visually pleasing sketches when he was bored and as much as he wants me to get a secure job, he saw my vision and let me rock. My mom wanted to be a fashion designer and was also creatively inclined. My friends, my grandmother, Jamaica, Trinidad. I think just being from the Bronx and having to go out and get everything out the mud and to prove myself is the thing that inspires me the most.
2 - Who were some of the established artists that you looked up to during your time coming up?
To be honest, I’m still on the come up. I don’t have a “I made it” moment. So I’m naming everyone that inspires me now. But in terms of photography? Ravie B, Greg Noire, Shaun Llewellyn, Aaron Ricketts, Gunner Stahl, Gibson Hazard for video, Chynna Keys, Abbythehomie, Shaughn Cooper, Frankie Vergara, Setor Tsikodu, JustnJames, my homegirl Nirvana, the list goes on and on and on.
3 - What were some of the factors that helped you get your name out there as a rising photographer?
I got stories for days. But I got super super lucky to be honest. I had just started seriously taking photos in 2017 after my accident when I got a call from Atlantic Records for an internship. To be completely honest, I was absolutely not qualified for that internship. But my old bosses and good friends, shout out Justin and ADP, to this day, gave me a shot. I did mess up a few times there though. I’m just glad I’m still able to go and visit.
Another factor was the Editor from DJ Booth loving my early photos from 2017 and asking to use them in articles. He’s still a huge part of why I’m as “big” as I am.
4 - Do you remember the first major event you ever shot? If so, how did you land it and how was the experience for you?
I think the first major event I shot was Panorama in 2018. I asked Z from DJBooth if I could shoot it for the website. I got approved. And it was a learning experience. I had to plan out who I wanted to photograph and how i was gonna dump my SD card after. But both days I was there it got rained out and cancelled. But it prepared me for Greatest Day Ever, Camp Flog Gnaw, Dreamville Fest and more.
5 - A lot of your work is concert photography. You’ve shot multiple music figures such as J. Cole, Pusha T., Wiz Khalifa, Tory Lanez, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla $ign, Vince Staples and more. What was one of your favorite moments out of all the concerts you’ve shot over the last few years?
There’s 2 that stand out to me. Made in America 2019 and Governor’s Ball 2019. Before Made in America, I was absolutely finished. I was mentally defeated and I didn’t want to pick up my camera. I had a talk with Raven and Kam before and they basically told me, “You are one of the best. Your work ethic with your talent is what’s going to get you places. Just trust and believe in yourself.” Went out and killed it.
Gov Ball, I wasn’t even supposed to shoot. I got denied for a press/photo band. But my boy Aaron Ricketts needed help with some stuff at the festival and he got me a wristband. In between helping him out, I was able to shoot Ty, Wanye, Vince and more. That showed me the inner working of an in house photo team so I’m forever grateful for Aaron. And who wouldn’t want to shoot with the great Greg Noire.
6 - You’ve even had the opportunity to capture the late Nipsey Hussle multiples times. The last time you captured him, what did that moment feel like? Secondly, Nipsey preached a lot about entrepreneurship and ownership. What type of influence did he have on you as an entrepreneur?
The last time I shot Nip was his Victory Lap Tour Opening show in NYC. I was in a terrible mood before getting there but when I got to the venue my mood brightened up. It was like I was capturing history. He gave me my first shot. I never expected it. And I’m forever grateful for him, his team and his family. I wish I had one more opportunity to shoot him though.
In terms of entrepreneurship, he taught me that fighting for your pay, knowing your worth and what you bring to the table, and setting boundaries in what and who you work with adds value to your product.
7 - I’ve seen you express your appreciation for your mentor Ravie B who is one of the best photographers in the industry. She’s also a part of the D’Usse Palooza team which is a team you’ve done some great things with in 2019. How much influence has Ravie had on you as a visual artist and what type of advice has she given you that has helped make you and your work better?
Raven has had a tremendous role on me as a visual artist. I’ll always credit her for inspiring me to pick up a camera. The fact that she was from the Bronx and grew up a 15 min train ride from me was inspiring. What she’s done in the past 5 years is nothing short of remarkable. When I met her back in February 2018, I was just a fan of her work. To have her be my mentor, boss, big sister and friend in general is something that I wouldn’t have expected. She didn’t have to bring me on to help shoot DussePalooza. She didn’t have to bring me on to shoot #TheRnBParty. But she did and I’m forever in debt to her. She’s done things that will live on forever. She is one of the best photographers ever. I just hope that women, especially black women, around the world sees what she has done in the 10 years she’s been doing this and say, “I can do that.”
But whenever I’m at a show, I would just ask her what angles she thinks I should get or what selects to choose or what to crop, she puts the battery in my back to go out and kill it. There’s not a lot of people that I can do that for me, but she’s one of them.
8 - If you had to describe your eye for capturing “the best” photo, what would you say?
That’s a tough question. I would say my eye is capturing an emotion that 1) draws you in 2) makes you feel like you’re at the show.
9 - As someone who has been featured in multiple publications and has shot multiple concerts and events, what type of advice would you give the aspiring photographer who is still on the search for their big moment?
Luck plays a huge part of it but realize that everyone has a different timeline. You don’t run on someone else’s timeline. Your opportunity will come just be patient, make the right connections, shoot your shot, be respectful, MAKE MISTAKES!
10 - We are officially in 2020. What’s next for Nick Watkin? What can we expect to see from you in the new year?
More photos, might do a few videos, hopefully going into portraits and campaign stuff, hopefully having an art show. I’m just patient and waiting for things and opportunities to come my way. For someone who has had thoughts about quitting after the grind, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come and where I would still like to go.