Nick was invited to showcase his work on the biggest magazine we have ever seen: A3 sized pages, filled with art and zero ads. Is not a usual combination we get to see these days.
Global Design Firm is launching their project this month, for which they created a big format publication that's been circulating around the Creative industries in New York. Nick picked his project 'Armada' to be featured, along other artists like Todd Hido, Mark Leary, Lucas Foglia.
published
'Armada' on the big pages of GDF Magazine
Capturing snake venom in Liverpool
Inside the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
For this story on the Wellcome Trusts's MosaicScience news website Nick went to visit Nick Casewell and his team who are working to understand what makes up the venom in some 49 different species of snakes. Feeding time at the herpetarium involves 163 snakes and the team there work to make antivenoms more effective and affordable for those around the world who simply can't get access to them. Nick entered the venom extraction room in order to photograph this series where snakes are free to roam.
Film & TV Director Armando Iannucci
for The Atlantic
On an editorial portrait commission from The Atlantic magazine, Nick met television and film director Armando Iannucci in London.
Just on the time for his film release 'The Death of Stalin', for which Iannucci turns to the Kremlin, satirizing the political struggle that followed Joseph Stalin’s demise. The film was shot pre-Trump, however events from the 1930s seem to match with the current political scene around the world as he comments during his interview.
Click here to see the full story.
Secret Music discovered in the Black Forest
A film on the beauty of slow sounds and images
In the summer of 2018, Nick was visiting his father in law in the Black Forest with his new-born daughter. Walking with family up a gentle slope, he heard the deep, soothing, but also eerie sounds of the Alphorn. The Alphorn quartet was standing, facing the vast view of rolling green hills, playing a melody which would reach the bottom of the valley.
As part of Channel 4's Random Acts series, Nick created a film that aligns with the moving observational and clean aesthetic of his photography whilst allows him to explore the effects of sound and time on his image-making process.
The Forest Sings is an exploration of the gentle unease and uncertainty built up in the Black Forest, like a storm brewing, as four men travel up a hill to play their alphorns. The notes blown have a soothing effect, calming the atmosphere and the tension, merging with the surrounding landscape.
The Royal Academy's 250th Anniversary
for The Big Big Black Book by The Esquire
At the end of 2017, Nick visited The Royal Academy of Arts to capture it on its 250th anniversary. It was also the big day of the RA's Christmas staff party, talks on the halls made it sound like a memorable tradition.
Nick met with Artistic Director, Tim Marlow, in the drawing room as he reviewed some notes for a coming speech and shared some anecdotes. He was later joined by the Head of Collections and the Head of Architecture, who toured him around the areas under renovation of The Burlington House, a place that holds the most august institution of the arts in Britain.
The story was published in The Big Black Book, the Esquire's twice-yearly guide to the finer things in life, with their very stylish spin-off.
Kenya, a Keen Sanctuary for all Life
Giving confidence to long lost travellers.
With beauty as far as the horizon and full circle, Nick was challenged to discover how conservation and safari tourism could go hand-in-hand. An animal orphanage, sacred deep water wells and a truly epic landscape filled with protected wild cats, elephants, rhinos and fabulous birds, were all part of this once in a lifetime experience. The people of Kenya did not go unnoticed either, and Nick was able to capture some stunning portraits of the the wide range of people living amonst the sanctuaries. A delicious feast for the eyes.
Ciudad Rebelde
Life in the rebellious city of El Alto, Bolivia
Nick can be found every year in El Alto, photographing a new project or observing life buzzing in this part of the Andino highlands. For this photo essay, Nick went back with writer, and historian Laurence Blair to look at the rebellious life of this young Bolivian city. During this fully-packed week, they re-visited the Cholets, wandered around the street markets, met with Aymaran rappers, DIY film makers, and visited Bolivia's Space Agency. The story was featured on the Travelogue of Disgeno Magazine for their Spring Issue, and full edit is also now up on the web.
Max Whitlock
for The Guardian Labs Commonwealth Series
On an editorial commission from The Guardian Labs, Nick met some interesting key characters involved with the Commonwealth Games and also Olympic Athletes currently representing Britain around the globe, like champions. This came out as part of 'The Home Team' series.
One of the subjects was star gymnast, Max Whitlock, whom he photographed doing some stunning acrobats on the pommel horse. This shoot felt like a proof of what has made Max a five-time Olympic medallist, a six-time world medallist, and Britain's first ever Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics.
Copenhagen Suborbitals: A Volunteer-run rocket programme
for Wired UK
Nick met the team behind the Suborbitals, at their warehouse in Copenhagen, where they are working on their next mission: Putting a human into space by 2030.
“We have engineers, metal workers, electronics guys, software guys – all sorts of skills,” their projects rely on crowdfunding, and their next rocket, Nexø II, is a mix of pre-existing components, repurposed for space travel.
This 6.7-metre-tall rocket, weighing 178 kilograms, will be fired 12.6 kilometres into the air, then float back down to Earth with a parachute. The computer used in the engine control system once was cashier’s terminal from a Burger King; the pressure regulation system is based on a scuba diving funnel; a previous rocket used a brake cable from a Fiat car to synchronise the opening of crucial valves. All driven by their love for space.
The story was commissioned by WIRED UK, published in their May/June 2018 Issue.
The Children of Syria featured in FT Magazine
In collaboration with Alma Haser
Nick’s first collaboration with artist Alma Haser is now out as part of Save the Children’s Invisible Wounds project, marking the 6th year of the Syrian conflict. The story was published by the FT Magazine, featured with an interview in the Creative Review and also picked up by Time’s LightBox publication.
Click here to see the full story.
Surrealism by the Sea with David Shrigley
for BA High Life Magazine
On a commission from British Airways’ High Life Magazine, Nick went on a shorter kind of trip to meet with David Shrigley: one of Britain’s most culturally embedded, and most-loved artists. He is well know for having a combination of pitch-black humour with satirical scrawling.
A winter day in Brighton was the scenario for the portrait series, focusing on the artist new relationship with his adopted hometown. The artist moved in just a couple of years ago, and his bonding with the place continues to evolve as steps into the role of guest director at this year’s Brighton Festival.
On the cover of American Chordata
A New York based magazine.
Nick’s image from his project ‘The Virtue of Wrestling’ was featured on the cover of American Chordata. This rather special publication is getting all the positive attention from their very start. It carefully blends in fiction, nonfiction essay, and poetry, with art and photography. Nick created this project as part of his ongoing collaboration with Art Director Gemma Fletcher.
Click here to get ahold of their previous issues.
Wind, Sand and Stars
The Atacama Desert for T+L Magazine
Nick recently spent a week in The Atacama Desert, Chile. This is one of the driest places on earth, and with the surrounding landscape one can get confused with Mars. From this great commission, he brought back a collection of images from treks lead by Explora Hotel, long drives through this remote stretch of Chile, and encounters with outer space machines: leading observatory complexes that are scattered over the desert to study the origin of stars, and the endless expansion of our galaxy.
The story was commissioned by T+L Magazine for their September Photography Issue.
The Navy without a Sea
featured in Avaunt Magazine
Nick was granted access to the Bolivian Navy Base in Tiquina, Lake Titicaca, after a long exchange of requests and negotiations. He spent time in the base to document what it felt to be part of a Navy without a Sea, as it was featured in Avaunt Magazine on their 5th Issue. This is also part of his on-going personal project ‘Bitter Sea’, which focuses on Bolivia’s loss of the sea to Chile over 130 years ago.
Click here to see the full story.
Up in the Highlands of Scotland
A cover feature on Travel+Leisure Magazine
Nick went on an autumn road trip through the glens and moors of northern Scotland on a commission from Travel+Leisure Magazine.
He moved across the scenic wilderness, through historic estates, country cottages and nature reserves for a story of a 400-mile drive. The feature also became the cover story of the November issue.
Clerks featured in Bloomberg Businessweek
Inside the strange world of London’s clerks and barristers.
On a negotiation of his own documentary style, Nick silently moved around from all hierarchies, spent time capturing portraits of the senior practitioners and followed the more junior ones as their performed the clerking rite of passage: Trolley-hauling around the Royal Courts of Justice and to the offices.
Click here to see the featured in Bloomberg Businessweek.
Click here to see the full project.
'Ekeko' on Internazionale
Nick's personal project 'Ekeko' was invited for a feature on Internazionale, an Italian independent magazine.
It was published this November on their Portfolio section, right when the project was also on its last day of exhibition at Kiosko gallery in Bolivia.
We are really enjoying to see Nick's Ekeko travelling so much!
Cover story on TIME Magazine
A Portrait of Ireland's Prime Minister As a Young Man.
Nick was recently commissioned to shoot the cover story for Time Magazine's International Edition. On a quick trip from London straight to the Irish Parliament House in Dublin, he had the opportunity to meet and photograph the portrait of a new and rather refreshing name in politics: The Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar.
Shape Shifters
Shooting at a denim factory for MATTER.
Nick went back to one of his favourite settings when shooting indoors: Factories. As he often turns to see the human aspect of these rather mechanical places. This time it was denim factory, and met with its co-founder David Hieatt, to shoot a story for the ‘Identity’ Issue of MATTER.
'David Hieatt is the co-founder of the do lectures and Hiut denim, a cult brand of jeans. Both the lecture series and the Hiut factory are based in cardigan, a small market town in West Wales, which has played a central role in Hieatt’s life. Now he is shaping the town’s identity too.'
Talking trolls, sagas and Norse folk-tails around Reykjavik.
A story on Iceland's bestselling author, Sjón.
Commissioned by 1843 Magazine for its August & September 2017 Issue, Nick went on a photographic winter walk. He re-visited Iceland through stories created by one of its most well-know poets, lyricists, and novelists: Sjón. Influenced by David Bowie, the author was a pioneer of surrealist writing in the 70s, and often collaborates with Bjork.
Click here to see the story in 1843 Magazine.
In Residence: Sophie Hicks
New film for Nowness architecture series.
We kickstart the new year, with this new piece. For the film, Nick was able to explore architect Sophie Hicks’ Kensington house, which she designed herself. Juxtaposing the surrounding stucco fronted houses, this one looks like a glass rectangular box.
The front room, dining room and kitchen are surrounded by glass panes which blur the distinction between the outside and the inside: Kensington’s trees and bricks cast reflections which seep into Hicks’ home. Nick captures this merging in all its mysterious calmness. He gently weaves in the humanistic nature of the building: the way in which this home functions not only because of its design but also because of the people who live and work in it.
In Sophie Hicks’ own words, Nick has“captured the atmosphere of the house so beautifully...all of it flows well and it is very calm.”
The film was released on January the 2nd on Nowness' online platform
You can also see it here
On the cover of Positive News
Nick’s portraits of Daphne Selfe.
Positive News honours ageing on its latest Issue, and Nick's images were the right fit to make the point. ‘The Age Advantage’ features Nick’s portraits Daphne Selfe ,the oldest professional fashion model in the world, in their cover of the magazine and opening of the story.
As part of a co-op media, this is a magazine that focuses on progress and possibility with a constructive journalistic approach.
The Eagle Factory
An English Company that transforms vintage automobiles into supercars
Nick was recently commissioned by Penta Magazine to shoot a story at the Eagle Factory. He went to a secret location in Sussex, where a small team of designers and engineers work on creating one of the world’s most exclusive supercars. Nick was able to see and capture craftsmanship defined, they truly hand-build and restore vintage cars to the owner's unique specifications. Every component—from the tiniest bolt and battery clamp—is scrutinized to see whether a fully renovated standard part is optimal, or whether they can make them better, lighter, and more durable. The vast majority of parts are improved or made in-house at Eagle.
See the article here
See the story here
The Makers
Showcasing Hackney's current creative culture.
As a commission from Studio Small in connection with Hackney Council's 'Schools for the Future' initiative, Nick was asked to capture the current creative culture of the area. He also brought in his team to do the production in-house, fully packing the 3 days journey. Many of these places, Nick had known for years, yet it was interesting for him to approach them from a photographic perspective.
The project resulted in a hardback book, and a website, featuring interviews with renowned creative people who live and work in the area.
Click here to see the full story.
The great model train robbery
A mystery in the depths of the English countryside.
An endearing story about Britons train enthusiasts turned into a dark mystery of theft.
On a commission from Bloomberg, Nick headed to a location closer to home: The Gravesend Model Marine & Engineering Society (GMMES), a 66-year-old British railway club.
Nick rode at the back of a scaled down trains, photographed the club regulars, their love for locomotives and the unsettling feeling left after this crime, which still lingers in the air. The Mayflower, Simplex, Speedy, and the John Milton Metro are gone.
'American -ABCD' is now out.
A new collaboration with Paripé Books.
Patricio Binaghi invited Nick to participate on a photographic project for Paripé Books, and is out now.
Published as a series of 4 books, 'American -ABCD' brings 200 artists together to re-interpret an image from a photographic archive of the American life in the 50's and 60's. There is only 500 editions of each for sale.
The project is launching in Madrid this coming December, we will reveal what Nick´s went for then.
Click here to get a copy of a book or the whole set.
Portrait of Maria Balshaw, Tate Britain's Director.
for Bloomber Pursuits
Nick recently met Maria Balshaw at Tate Britain for a portrait session commissioned by Bloomberg Pursuits. She became the museum's director last June, and has brought an energized and politically active approach.
“The Tate has expanded the landscape for art in this country. Now it needs to ensure that that expanded landscape is shared with the widest community of people possible." She adds during the interview.
Click here to see all portraits.
Inside the Maharam Warehouse
Back in New York to capture humans and textiles.
Nick is always excited about working with Maharam, as he gets to document many aspects of the life behind this very special textile company.
On this trip, he visited their main distribution centre for North America, a 95,000-square-foot facility in Yaphank, New York. For this story, he is also able find the human side to 9000 samples, yards and yards of products and a massive infrastructure that ships to a long list of clients and manufacturers.
It almost feels as if like the rolls of fabric are looking back at you.
This shoot became part of Maharam’s lookbook, alongside Nick’s other images from their studios, artists, and factories.
Damien Hirst for The Sunday Times
Nick met artist Damien Hirst at Newport Gallery in South London, the artist very own museum.
On the time allowance, Nick had the opportunity to work with the pills inspired space in the Gallery's restaurant, and then had the artist lay on the floor at the bottom of a staircase as Nick hung with his camera from the very top view above.
The images were featured on the cover of The Sunday Times December 17th Issue. The story described the artist's latest show as 'the shipwreck of his career', a bit of his past, future and current position in the business.
The Olivetti factory town of Ivrea, Italy
An abandoned, modernist utopia for designed living
"Ivrea, an Italian town run in its heyday by the typewriter manufacturer Olivetti, was once a model for workers’ rights and progressive design. Now, it is both a cautionary tale and a vision of an abandoned utopia — and evidence of a grand experiment in making labor humane." TMag
Nick revelled in the geometries and faded grandeur at the remains of the glory days of the Olivetti empire in Ivrea. This series focusses, as Nick's work often does, on the imprint left behind when people have abandoned a place and what these remnants might tell us about the ideals of the architects and workers who, for a time, called this place home.