Meet Nikki Neumann: Freelance Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Neumann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, how do you think about risk?
Life is a constant stream of calculated risks, some are more thought out than others, but every day we encounter risks. Some of the biggest risks I’ve taken have brought back some of the best rewards. Pulling myself out of complacency. Even moving to a new neighborhood in your city can change your life, probably not drastically, but it changes up your daily routine which can propel change in other areas of your life. I recently moved to a new neighborhood in LA and I’ve definitely been inspired by the local community here. I took a risk two years ago moving to LA. I decided to start my full-time freelance photography career and move to a new city at the same time. I felt like I was a little bit crazy at the time, but I like getting used to that feeling. I gave myself permission to go do what I wanted to do. I was able to meet my role models and hit milestones in my career all within a few months of moving to LA. I knew I made the right decision. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to alter the viewer’s perception of reality when they look at my work. I want them to question it and maybe not completely understand what they’re looking at or why it looks like that. I want them to question everything they know about the visual image. I’m always looking for more ways to bring experimental methods into my work. When I bring these elements in, this always seems to be the work I’m the most stoked on. I like surprising myself with how wild the visuals can get. I think connecting with like-minded individuals has definitely helped foster my creativity. Ones that are willing to push the envelope to the other side. I got to create with a couple of amazing humans I went to college with in the first couple of months I moved to LA. They’re in a trip-hop project called closegood, they both have super unique styles. Not only stylistically, but sonically and visually as well. It was rad meshing our worlds together to see what we could create together. From that one afternoon, these pictures ended up going in Rolling Stone. A dream I never thought I would achieve so soon after moving to LA.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love going to Figaro Bistrot and spending a long morning there. It’s a super cozy French bistro, perfect for sipping your cappuccino and people watching. Then we could go to the Arts District and go stroll thru some art galleries. Hauser & Wirth usually has interesting exhibits. Manuela for lunch, they’ve got a super cool open-air seating area that’s inside Hauser & Wirth’s courtyard. Stop by Verve Coffee Roasters for the second coffee of the day, might be my favorite coffee shop in LA, for a quick espresso. The interiors there are amazing. Then we’d hit the road to go to Ojai and go check into Caravan Outpost. They’ve got some rad airstreams over there. Depending on time we could catch a sunset hike and then end the day at Ecotopia for a dip in the natural hot springs under the stars 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people woven into my story that have helped me get where I am today, but from the first second I got to LA my friends Megan and Ross ( I met Ross before I even got out of my car once I arrived in LA) were my OG support system that showed me the ways of LA. Shoutout to Megan for letting me crash on her couch for my first month here, eternally grateful for you. I met Erica my first day here and she basically introduced me to all the friends I have here, she’s amazing at connecting you with the people you need to meet. I met Sean through her and he’s been a huge supporter in everything/life as well 🙂 Also my business pal/ soul sister Jess keeps me motivated to conquer my dreams on the daily, we’re always getting into something. Last, but not least, forever and always grateful for the support from my family.

Website: www.nikkineumann.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nkknmnn/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-neumann-958855b8/