We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nina Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nina, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been connected to my artistic purpose. In childhood, I remember one of the first moments I held a camera was just at 3 years old. I was the trusted one taking pictures of my parents on our family vacations when it was just the 3 of us. My dad was concerned I would break it somehow as I was so young, but my mother let him know, I could do it just fine. When seeing the prints come in, I was enamored with the end result, I just wanted to keep capturing more and more. My parents recognized my interest. A couple years later, I was gifted my first Barbie 35mm film camera from my parents. That’s when the fire was ignited.

Nina, 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?

Ever since I was little, I have been a planner. I had my life sorted at 10. I told myself that I would go to Art School and study to be a professional photographer. So that’s what I did. College was transformative. I made very personal work. Unlearning and relearning myself constantly. I graduated on Dean’s List, the best I’ve ever done in my educational career. I was even on the front page of my college town’s local magazine from our graduation (I caused a scene jumping on my chair with excitement) I ended strong.

The summer of 2018, I felt everything come to a halt. I had no job lined up. I was unsure how I was going to jump start my career/make money/etc. I applied to any job closely relating to my degree. Eventually, I scored a gig working in a mall photo studio. I was taking photos, doing makeup and learned how to do hair styling. It sounds perfect for me. Incorporating all my interests in one job. But this experience was less than glamorous. In this place, everything was about numbers and selling, not about the passion for cultivating beautiful portraits. The environment was draining, my skills were undermined, and I felt my passion of photography fading away. That’s when I decided to make a move. I could not let this job take something I hold so dear, away from me.

I started recruiting my girlfriends to model for me. I began building my portfolio and posted them online. I started getting booked by friends and their families for photoshoots. I realized I was using skills I adopted from the job I hated so much outside of the studio. That’s when I realized, every circumstance is to learn. It may not be where you want to be, but if you take away a lesson, then it wasn’t in vain.

I decided to put my talents towards a new use and left the toxic work environment at the studio and entered the world of E-Commerce fashion photography. While here, I kept up with my personal work. I met a lot of fellow photographers and artists here. I began to create more portraits as I wanted new work to show my photographer friends. I pushed myself to reach outside my comfort zone of shooting people who weren’t my friends and modeled a bit too.

The artist group grows, and I realize how small the world is. Many of us have crossed paths previously, we have mutual friends or have worked with the same people. It goes to show that the Universe was always setting me up to be here. I was meant to go through everything I did, along with the time it took, just so I can be here at this very moment to realize; trust the process. The local art community I was looking for was finally revealing itself to me.

2023 was the year I made a commitment to myself and my art. I told myself I’m putting myself out there. I’m showing up to artist events, local markets, open studios, photography walks etc. This change made the biggest difference in my artist path. The inspiration and community I felt gave me the motivation to keep creating.

Now I have completed countless shoots, featured in magazine prints, artist Instagram takeovers, accepted in online shows, and was just featured in a group exhibition last month, Case Study 102. I displayed my creative portraits I’ve been making as an independent artist for the first time in years. It was a great way to stay connected to the community and meet new faces. The feedback I received fed me in ways I forgot it could. Receiving comments telling me my art is beautiful, colorful and bold just like me had me realize, “Who I am as a human reflects in my photographs.” This is what my art is about, showcasing the beauty in the world and impacting others to see their own. It served as a reminder of my artistic purpose.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the impact you have on people. I wish for people who view my work to be inspired to stand out. To love their features from their ancestors without malice. I wish for people, especially women, to not apologize for taking up space. Be boldly yourself.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

FUND FREE PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS.

As a society we cannot forget the importance of Art programs. They are always the first to get cut when budgets are being reconsidered.

We need to keep our children creative, encourage critical thinking, keep them engaged with education and self-expression. These are vital life skills that not all children have the privilege of having at home.

Our communities need us artists, we add life, color and inspiration to the world around us. It’s what gives us connection and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: byninacruz

Image Credits

Mai Alsewaify