Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Schwarze.
Hi Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always known that I wanted to be an artist, but it wasn’t my plan to become a photographer. I was always painting and drawing as a kid, that was the umbrella of who I was. In middle school, I got a little digital point-and-shoot camera and somehow became convinced I was going to make horror movies. That was the first indication that maybe I was going down a new path. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, building things with my hands, and theatrics. Photography ended up being the perfect place for me where all those interests would exist at once.
I started experimenting a lot, using myself, my friends, and other photographers as guinea pigs for years. Many thrifted props, bed sheet backdrops in my bedroom, and diy flashlight lighting that I’m thankful to them for enduring. It was another outlet for me to create and put my energy into.
I went on to study at the School of Visual Arts, where I earned my BFA in Photography. While I was there, I explored a wide range of mediums and realized that the underlying theme in all my work was an interest in creating characters or something that felt like it was part of my own world. That has evolved into what I’m known for now- theatrical, campy, and slightly surreal photoshoots.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout college, I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. It was inspiring to be surrounded by incredibly talented people, but it also made me feel directionless in my own work. I was experimenting with so many different mediums — mixed media, Polaroid, miniature-making. I loved all of them, but I didn’t know how to make it something consistent and cohesive that felt worth sharing. This resulted in me struggling to produce art at all. I’ve always been a perfectionist, but I felt like everything needed to be revolutionary and make a statement. Of course, that type of art is extremely valuable, but it wasn’t an attainable standard to hold myself to. Once I started embracing the idea that I could make “mediocre art,” is when I actually started making art regularly.
My friend Bella had a studio at a shared artist space in Matawan and encouraged me to reach out about a small studio that opened up. The space was tiny, just fitting my backdrop and a small desk, but it was cheap and, importantly, mine. It was the best decision I’ve made for my art, to bring back the motivation and excitement.
Unfortunately, the building that held my studio space closed in August. It was hard to grasp that the space was gone but I knew I couldn’t quit at this point. I recreated my setup at home, and it was a huge relief.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Most of my work centers around portraiture and specifically character-driven, high-stylized imagery. I operate mainly as both photographer and creative director, building the world in my photographs from the moodboard to set construction, wardrobe styling, and lighting design. It’s like creating stills from my own little film. My work touches on themes of whimsy, gritty fantasy, dark glamor, and exaggerated femininity. I am heavily inspired by horror cinema, retro visuals, mood lighting, and constructed environments. I prefer to be deeply hands-on, as the shoots where I come up with an idea and am heavily involved in seeing it through are the shoots I’m most proud of. I think these projects fuel my creativity and have created my distinctive aesthetic that has brought people to my work! I usually jokingly refer to my photoshoots as “elevated games of dress up”, but it allows people to feel transformed and embody another exaggerated version of themselves – whether it’s a sultry lizard lounge singer, a runaway bride, an alien that landed in the suburbs or a snow angel.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Honestly, and maybe an obvious, but what worked well for me in terms of networking was finally sharing my work online on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It still feels pretty cheesy to make videos, but luckily, it has really helped me find my audience. I definitely had to put myself out there as someone who is drawn to portraiture to establish myself as a photographer. I’ve reached out to brands directly, worked events during New York Fashion Week, attended local art events, and taken on side projects in different areas of photography to expand my network and skill set. The most important thing has been building relationships with fellow creatives such as models, makeup artists, stylists, and other photographers. Collaboration has been so central to my growth. While being a fun process, it has also pushed my creativity and created variety in my portfolio. I’ve been fortunate to meet so many talented and inspiring people, far too many to name, and to build genuine connections along the way
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nicoleschwarze.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleschwarze/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikki.jpeg
