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

Ninni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

We’ve been in such a fast phased and short form media mindset for a long time. I am sensing some change in the air. I feel like people want more slow medias again. Also physical copies of media to own such as books, magazines, CD’s etc. I am sensing people want to take a step back from all the busyness and calm down a bit. Our brains can’t handle the amount of information we are given on a daily basis.
It affects me too as a photographer; I am more into books and making physical things with my hands.

Ninni, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a brand photographer based in Finland. I specialise in fun styling, colourful photos and bringing the best out of my clients brands. After working with me the clients pictures stand out from the crowd.

I’ve been a photographer for the past 12 years, studying 6 and working as a freelancer for the past 4 years. I thrive when I can be my own boss. It took some trial and error and I am still learning new things about myself and the photography industry every day. I never stop developing my skills.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was working in a 9-5 job as a photographer and was offered a contract for one year to continue. I felt it in my gut that it wast’t the right thing for me but I felt I had to take the job. Not for my own sake but for all the other photographers who never get options like this. My family and friends were happy for me. They were worried of my financial stability before but now I had a regular paying job. But I felt terrible. The job was eating me away and it wasn’t for me. Clocking in and out.
I burned out super bad and had to redirect my focus fast. That was the time I decided I will not work for other people. I don’t own anything to other photographers, specially not my mental and physical health.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I was studying photography I thought only documentary and journalistic work was worthy. It wasn’t for me tho so I always felt inferior. Less than. I tried to search for topics that felt serious enough but I didn’t feel passionate about them. It showed in the work also.
After having my kid I gave up on that. I have my work and family and if I do personal projects I want them matter to me. Not to anybody else. And wouldn’t you know I’ve found topics that interest me, keep me working on the projects and they even have audiences. Because I care about the project myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ninniwest.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninniwestphoto/

Image Credits

All images by Ninni West