We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Bagley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nick, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the dark and dreary. Crumbling buildings and decaying ruins really cause my creativity to flow. I often find myself disappearing into another world while I’m out shooting. I wander the abandoned structures and create my own narrative, one photo at a time.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being an urban exploration photographer, my art focuses on the dark, dreary, forgotten world, for I find beauty in the abandoned. I am very proud of my books (3 published with a fourth on the way). These books have allowed me to reach a like-minded audience who have supported me since day one. They allow me to be creative both photographically and through written content. However, it’s never easy being a creative individual in our current world. The publishing industry is struggling now more than ever. But I keep going. I keep going because I know I have a physical record of my creative work that will exist long after I’m gone. I keep going because I get to meet people who are directly inspired by my creativity. I also use my books as a historical catalog. A lot of the locations I have visited over the years have been demolished. By photographing and writing the history of each location I visit, I believe that in my own unique way, I’m preserving history.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting me here in Salt Lake City, I would first take them to Prohibition. Prohibition is a speakeasy-themed bar with great drinks and entertainment. I would then take them to a hardcore show at the local hardcore music venue, The Beehive. For the rest of the trip, I would take them on a journey, showing them my favorite abandoned places all over Utah.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out all of my friends and family. Without their support I would be nothing
Website: www.njbphotography.net
Instagram: @njbslc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100034857379038
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd7NPy4c9fSjb0sDfWuUjoQ
Image Credits
Nick Bagley