We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Millman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I took a huge risk when I sent a long-shot email back in 2018 to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s press team, asking to photograph the campaign for my thesis. My message started with a quote by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and it has since come to define my outlook as a photographer, “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them”. At the time, I felt I was not ready to work on a “big time” campaign, but I took a chance. As a result, I landed my first big break, working as part of her campaign’s photo team from September 2018 through October 2019. The field of photography is overwhelmingly dominated by men (specifically those who are cis, heterosexual and white). The fact that far too many people who simply want to succeed and thrive in this field are called “overambitious” is a huge problem. Overall, we need to stop acting as if being ambitious, overambitious, etc. is even a bad thing in the first place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Although I knew I wanted to be a photographer since I was eleven years old, I’m still very much in the beginning of my career. My passion for photographing people began in high school, when I fell in love with Linda McCartney’s work. I loved how her personality managed to shine through in her photographs. I also admired how she managed to be personally connected and engaged with her subjects, yet could become a fly on the wall within seconds. I thought I wanted to become a Rolling Stone photographer until 2016, when my whole world changed. The very moment a guest speaker in my college critique class informed us there was such as thing as a Chief White House Photographer, I knew my life’s dream. Two years later, I joined my first campaign. What I enjoy most about my work is artfully conveying information and creating visual narratives. Photojournalism is often misunderstood as purely “matter-of-fact”, but it can be beautiful as well! To my fellow creatives, never undercharge someone for your time and labor. People need to not only pay artists properly for their work, but hold those who refuse to do so accountable.

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.
Pre-pandemic, I would’ve taken them to EJ’s Luncheonette, where I used to work as a telephone operator of sorts. They have the best truffle fries and chocolate cake on the Upper East Side, in my opinion. I’d likely take them on a walk to Carl Schurz Park and then ride the ferry. In terms of fun things to do, I’d most definitely take them to a drag show. ICON in Astoria used to be my go-to spot. I loved eating at Astoria Pizzeria on 30th Ave after a night out, before taking the subway home. I would also take them to Dumpling Man on the Lower East Side!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first-year college critique instructor Elaine Matczak. She’s the reason I’m still a photographer! I confided in her that I’d lost all passion for photography because I found fine art and contemporary portraiture personally draining. She took my feelings very seriously and asked me what I truly cared about, to which I replied “The Beatles and Bernie Sanders” – haha! She allowed me to use the remainder of class time looking up local campaign events to try out and photograph. She even told me to text her throughout the event if I needed encouragement. I would not be photographing politics, or even possibly have a BFA in photography from The School of Visual Arts, without her guidance.

I’d also like to thank my junior year seminar professor, Greg Pond. His support was instrumental in building my confidence and networking abilities as a young creative. Without his advice, I would’ve never worked on AOC’s campaign or become a contributing photographer for Redux Pictures.

Website: www.nicolemillman.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicole_millman_photo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-millman-b9450410a/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.