We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nigil Crawford. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nigil below.
Nigil, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project has been on discovering who I am within my art. My joy in visual storytelling comes from making others feel good about themselves. In every shoot, I put a piece of myself in everything that I create no matter how big or small the project may be. Through creative struggles, I often meditate and reflect on what is truly important. Spending time with my family and loved ones has been a big factor, They’re my reason as to why I work as hard as I do.
I’ve been far outside of my comfort zone for the majority of 2022. However, it’s key to my growth. I’ve been blessed this year to travel the world photographing notable public figures and learning different cultures. In this process, I’ve met people who are inspirational and who have pushed me to reach my full potential.
Finally, I am launching my creative agency soon, Negro Making Change. NMC pushes people of color to think outside the boundaries of creativity in all aspects of life. Stick to your vision and never let up. Be the CHANGE you want to see. So stay tuned!
Nigil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Nigil Crawford and I am a photographer & producer based out of New York City.
Photography to me is my way of life. The way I see things. The things that happen in and over time. Time is one thing in life you can never get back. It’s important to make every second count. Moments from events, travel, and most importantly human interaction.
How did it all start? To be honest, it was never a dream of mine. I’ve always wanted to be a sports journalist (or at least thought). When I was younger, my dad said I always had a camera in my hand. Something about holding it in my hand just fascinated me. I got goosebumps every time I pressed the shutter. It wasn’t until someone else noticed my work (at the time) and told me “You’ve got an interesting eye” Today, I look back and think if I hadn’t picked up on that, where would my life be?
In the photography industry, two factors can take you far.
1.) Build genuine relationships
2.) Stay authentic to who you are
Genuine relationship building is the best investment. Yes, skill is important, but sometimes it’s not about what you know. It’s WHO you know, Networking has gotten me in more doors than I could’ve ever imagined,
My clients also understand I will only produce work that is an authentic representation of who I am not only as an artist, but as a person. I’m always proud of their reactions after every shoot.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My journey had an interesting start. I moved to New York three weeks after graduating from college. New York is a humbling city known as a the “Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of”. I thought I had it all figured out when I “secured” a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn off Craigslist. I blew all my money in my savings on a one-way ticket and an Uber just to get to the place. When I got there, I was informed that someone already moved into the brownstone a week before I arrived. I got no heads up, so I was *ss out with $5 left to my name. I looked around the area to see where I could camp out, but no luck. All of my “friends” weren’t answering my calls. I took all my bags down to the subway station (Newkirk Ave). Slept down there for a few days. I frantically kept looking for a spot to be stable, but I kept coming up short. I slept on the train, and overnight I camped out in the corner at the station. After about a week, a lady saw me sleeping on my bags and proceeded to walk over to me. I was already paranoid, so off rip I wanted to fight her because I thought she was telling me to leave. She looks at my hoodie and asks, “Did you go to Hampton?” I said “Yeah, I just graduated 3 weeks ago. I moved here for this dope internship.” She then asks, “Why are you sleeping in the subway?” I told her what happened and she tells me to come with her. She had a look of concern, so I grabbed my bags and followed her upstairs and out of the station. I ask her, “Yo, where are we going?” She took me to a house that was up the street from that subway station. “I know the landlord of this house”, she says. “He’s looking for a new tenant because someone just moved out about a week ago.” There were tears I was fighting back in my eyes. I just couldn’t express how happy I was. I told this women she’s my guardian angel. She then tells me, “You’re a young kid with a bright future. The fact you slept in a subway to get to where you need to be takes courage. Welcome to New York kid, a city of hustlers”
Until this very day, I never take any day for granted.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is that you have to be a doctor or lawyer to be successful. When I was younger, most teachers pushed me harder (especially in reading & math). They would always say something like, “The best lawyers and doctors read at a high level.” I wish I would’ve known about my inner creativity then. Trades like photography, art, & design weren’t a focus on the curriculum for most of my high school teachers. Until someone makes it big in that industry, it’s just another hobby to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nigilcrawford.com
- Instagram: lordnc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigil-c-04485990/
- Twitter: @Nigil
Image Credits
Nigil’s headshot picture – photo by Rashida Zagon