We were lucky to catch up with Turner Nelson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Turner thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Back in high school I had a good friend that mentored me through the learning curve of photography. Although it’s not impossible to learn on your own, having friends or getting mentored can help you learn much quicker. One thing that changed the game for me as i’ve grown as a photographer/artist is putting more focus into the composition while in the field. As a new photographer you may find yourself looking to your editing to make a photo look more interesting. This is a common misunderstanding; the composition of the photo is what attracts the viewer and keeps them looking. Lighting and color are just an added bonus.

Creative block has been a major hurdle for me especially after 10 yrs of taking photos. Sometimes it can feel repetitive and other things such as work, relationships, and general life circumstances can pull us away from our creative outlets. I try to remember that photography is what’s pulled me up and out of some of my deepest ruts. I sometimes have to push myself to get outside with my camera even if it’s just for a walk down the street. Making prints on paper or canvas has also helped me find inspiration. It’s important to transition our work from a digital to a physical state to remind us that we are creating art and not just pixels.

Turner , 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 Turner Nelson and I am a long time hobby photographer and illustrator. I began taking photos in 2015 and was inspired to do so by my other creative friends. From Los Angeles rooftops and city landscapes to Oregon coastlines and Washington mountain scenes, I couldn’t get enough of photography. The first few years were like a “honeymoon phase” and it consumed me in the best way possible. Through the years i’ve grown more and more serious about my art and have created multiple photo books and have had a few online print shops. In recent years i’ve gotten more into illustration and drawing which has been an asset to me creatively; I’ve integrated graphic design into a few of my photography projects.

My main objective as a creative is not to make a living out of it but to create art that lasts a lifetime. Knowing my work is hanging in somebody’s office/home or my photo book is on somebody’s coffee table is everything to me.

I’m most proud of my continuous dedication to my craft regardless of the hardships i’ve faced in recent years. I’ve grown to really appreciate photography and although it hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind with a new found passion in illustration, I plan to continue creating photos and photo books. I also have plans to release an exclusive photo print shop later this year so if you’re interested be sure to catch me on instagram at @tnellly!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My “mission” in my creative journey is to explore the expressive side of my mind and to allow myself to showcase my thoughts and feelings through my art. I also love the idea of people owning my art in physical form so consistent art galleries/print sales are another goal of mine.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media can be the best or worst thing for a creative. While social media is a great tool to bring attention to your work it can also present different obstacles which will have an implicit effect on your work. I believe that social media algorithms cater to a certain type of content and an obsession with gaining traction on social media will force a creative to try and fit in with the algorithms demands. It’s important to remember that social media is just a tool and not a way to determine if your work is “good” or not. Your photographs should be a representation of YOU and not your social media popularity.

With that being said, i’ve gained a lot of respect for the creators over at VSCO for the approach they’ve taken on their photo sharing social media platform. They’ve removed the follower count/like count as seen on social media platforms like instagram and facebook. This is great because it provides a judgement free zone for creatives to appreciate and enjoy the creations of other artists.

On a final note, if you are looking to gain some traction on the more mainstream social media platforms the key is consistency. Try to consistently create and share original art. Although you could follow fads and do what everyone else is doing, this will not benefit you as an artist in the long run. Consistency is everything; challenge yourself with a posting schedule and continue to create art to maintain this schedule. Give your followers/potential followers something to look forward to seeing at a certain time.

Contact Info:

• Website: tnellly.com
• Instagram: @tnellly
• Twitter: @tnelll