“I like the idea of capturing moments and freezing time in a sense.”
It all started when…
SOULDEGA: What drew you both to photography?
NIYA : I’ve always had a love for photography even as a child . I like the idea of capturing moments and freezing time in a sense. Photography has always been a hobby but I recently started viewing it as more than a hobby when I realized that I had an “eye” for it.
MICKY: I initially picked up photography because I liked the idea of being able to capture a memory; birthday parties, school dances, traveling, etc.... As I grew older, it became more about expression, and I've been building on it from there.
SOULDEGA: What was your first collaborative project together and how did you creatively feed off of each other?
NIYA: Our first collaborative project was with this up and coming model Nic. Micky met him while we were working at Spring Studios during NYFW last year. We actually styled the entire shoot with pieces from our closets. We creatively feed off of each other throughout the whole process from concept creation to post production editing. We've even figured out how to simultaneously shoot at the same time without blocking each other's shot or casting a shadow in the other's photo.
MICKY: We're not afraid to bounce ideas off each other and with the client. And also allowing each other the space to take turns directing and photographing the client.
SOULDEGA: What other creative mediums do you bring to the table when you're on a shoot?
NIYA: We met in fashion design school in 2011 so whenever we have the opportunity to pull our design backgrounds into a project we take advantage. As of lately we have been focused on creative direction as whole and executing our original concepts.
MICKY: The fashion background comes in handy for sure, as far as styling, creating mood boards, sourcing fabric or props. Having music is big for me, I love curating music for a shoot. I’ve also become more interested in trying different lighting techniques when we're shooting indoors or at night.
SOULDEGA: Do you consider Art a form of Activism? If so, describe to us what they may look like for you or in general.
NIYA: Art is definitely a form of Activism. I believe everyone has a role to play in the revolution. As an artist I believe my role is to be a story teller - to tell the stories of my people. A picture is worth a thousand words is an understatement when we really think about the impact that an image can have.
MICKY: I 100% think Art is a form of activism. It’s all about intention. I want to create art that heals. I want to tell more stories that resonate with me on a soul level. I think that's very important as an artist. Finding ways to incorporate my own struggles as a way to heal and promote inner growth. Healing, creating, & just taking up space in general are all forms of activism to me.
SOULDEGA: How has it been challenging and inspiring being creative during a pandemic and racial revolution?
NIYA: Besides being a portrait photographer, I also love to capture the streets of NYC. The streets of NYC are filled with so much inspiration and you can expect to see something new every time you step outside. Being in a pandemic and being stuck in the house has made me learn to draw inspiration from within in ways I hadn’t before. As an artist who typically chooses black men and women as muses, I’ve been even more inspired to tell their stories during this racial revolution. For decades images of black people have caused the world to see us as less than. I strive to show the world who we really are.
MICKY: I had to really accept that, for me, it was about slowing down and just shedding a lot of old habits. The constant need to be doing, adapting, and creating just because everyone else is. I was really anxious at first until I decided to draw inwards and reflect on how I wanted to move forward in the world, especially with my photography. I used this time to re-evaluate my voice in society and within my community. Authenticity is really important to me, and I had to remind myself that I can still impact change while keeping my peace of mind.
“I 100% think Art is a form of activism. It’s all about intention. I want to create art that heals. I want to tell more stories that resonate with me on a soul level. I think that’s very important as an artist.”
