Over the past year or so I’ve been following an up-in-coming photographer, Nick Voderman. His photographic explorations vary in photographic style and are always exciting to look at. Focusing on portrait photography, he seems to have the ability to capture all the little nuances of his subjects while keeping a certain level of intimacy.
ADM: You seem to be an all-around creative individual who is out to seek new and exciting things to experiment with and try out. (Whether it’s a photographic style, a new script, living in NYC…) Could you explain to the readers how growing up in a creative environment has helped you have the freedom to take on any adventure that comes along and how it’s shaped your professional career today.
NV: Moving to New York is what really opened things up. When you live in New York, incredibly talented people, in every field, especially the arts, constantly surround you. That’s the biggest inspiration. Mediocre work really isn’t going to get you anywhere, so, yes it’s inspiration, but it’s also just as much of a requirement, you know? At least that’s how I see it. That’s why I feel I have a ways to go, to get to the point I feel like I need to be. It’s a process. You used the word freedom, and I think that’s the main idea that comes out of New York. I mean, when there are guys who can ejaculate on pages torn out of the NY Post and sell them for thousands of dollars, I think that explains the amount of freedom you have here.
ADM: Maybe you should explain to us why photography is such a big part of your life today? After going to school for acting, what made you want to take on another challenge and embark on a photographic adventure?
NV: Photography was introduced to me first by my uncle, Steve Vorderman, who is a wonderful photographer, and has been a huge role model. When I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana I would love hanging out in his studio with him listening to music and taking pictures, and although I don’t get to much anymore, it’s still one my favorite pastimes. Most of my favorite things involve the Midwest, and home.
I don’t see the craft of acting and photography as very different things. They overlap in so many ways. As an acting student, both acting yourself and watching others, you gain a sense of awareness of how people act, behave, whether that be natural or not. So being behind the lens I try very hard to allow people to be relaxed and natural. People have all these ideas of how they should act in front of the camera, and most of the time those ideas are very unnatural. I like the idea that I can be the person to tell them “it’s okay to be you”.
ADM: Back in September of 2009 you started a photography blog. After reading your first couple posts you had some apprehension about how viewers would respond to you, your work, and the blog in general. Have you found blogging to be a positive experience now that several months have pasted? (and after several amazing posts have been posted for the public to enjoy) What should your blog viewers expect to see as time goes on?
NV: I still have apprehension! I have apprehension right now answering these questions, obviously, since you’ve been trying so valiantly to get this interview done for months now. But it’s good for me, to put myself out there more and get over that fear. So yes, it’s been a wonderful experience, if only for that reason. I’m slowly beginning to own the idea of “fuck what other people think, I like what I do.”
Do you know the artist De La Vega? My girlfriend Melissa and I have a small piece of his in our room that says “Believe in yourself and stop trying to impress others.” That’s quite a hurdle sometimes, but Melissa does a good job of reminding me of it.
ADM: Your photographic work can be seen on several social media type networks, such as flickr, wordpress and facebook. I can’t help but notice that portraits tend to be your photographic subject of choice. Is there a reason for this choice? Do you have any specific favorite subjects and locations?
NV: Favorite subjects? Ha! You know the answer to that. My girlfriend Melissa is on every other post. She has been the single biggest influence and inspiration in my work. I want to continue in the portrait realm more than anything. I love how you start to learn peoples’ quirks, and, even more, then the intimacy that it can create. Most people hate pictures of themselves, and when you can get a great shot of them that they truly like, that’s very satisfying.
ADM: As a creative individual you must have go-to sources of inspiration that you tend to tap into. What inspires you or fuels your fire?
NV: I spend way too much time looking at pictures on the Internet. Photographer’s portfolios, blogs, stuff like that. I mean way too much time. I love reading interviews with photographers and watching behind the scenes videos of photo shoots. It gives a lot of insight into how photographers approach their work and deal with their subjects. My photography book collection has grown to a pretty nice size, and is going to continue its growth. I love HUGE beautiful “coffee table” books!
Some go-to photographers for me for inspiration are, Ryan McGinley, Terry Richardson, Scott Schuman (who probably has the most successful fashion photography blog), Silja Magg, Jan Welters, and on Flickr, the simplicity of Lou O’Bedlam, Laura Taylor, and Marc LaRoche’s portraits. I don’t have enough time or space to list everyone who I’m in love with.
ADM: Do you see yourself making a career out of photography? Or is it just a hobby? As a creative myself I know that getting your work out there in front of the media is the toughest part of establishing yourself and your services. Besides the social media avenues, are there other ways you have reached out to get your work out there? Have you been successful?
NV: I do see it as a possible career. I would love that. I have this dream of being the first famous actor-photographer. We’ll see.
Right now, my photography business consists mainly of doing headshots for actors. I’ve been lucky, having attended an acting school, and therefore knowing a lot of people who need headshots. It was the most obvious market for me at this point.
I’m working on putting an official portfolio and website together to shop around.
ADM: Lastly, now that I’ve got our readers interested in following you and your work, what should we see over the next couple months? Are there any specific projects you wish to take on?
NV: Although headshot photography is great, and it’s paying the bills right now, I don’t plan on doing it forever. Ideally, fashion, editorial work is what I want to be doing. I would love to put together a portrait book. Again, that’s the recent Ryan McGinley “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” inspiration coming through.
Also, a friend of mine is involved in a production of the musical Hair this summer in Vermont, and I’ll be traveling up there and photographing all of them, which is awesome. The show has some nudity in it, so I guess that’s what’s to expect. Oh yeah, nudity, that’s something I love as well. I don’t know how it took me this long to say that.
Who doesn’t love nudity? We look forward to what you have in store. We also want to thank you for taking the time to inspire others with your stories and insights. Feel free to contact us in the future if you’d like us to feature any of your new projects.
View Nick’s blog, Experience Captured.