Niki Boon of www.nikiboonphotos.com leapt from obscurity into the eyes of adoring photographers immediately after the raw, gritty and documentary styled images of her children were discovered and shared across the web.
The idea of living a simple life in rural New Zealand while home schooling her kids without TV and modern electronics is on the tipping point of becoming a paradox with the social media and real attention Niki is receiving.
We discuss photography, lifestyle, creativity, money, fame and a whole lot more in this candid interview which is kicked off with what I felt was the perfect introduction… Niki reading her “artists statement” which you can find below.
We live a simple life in rural New Zealand, on a 10 acre property surrounded by rivers, coastline, bush and hills.
My children are unschooled and live without TV or modern electronic devises, a lifestyle that may seem unconventional to some, but I am here to celebrate the magical place I choose to live with my family.
I document their days, together, in an environment full of nature and uninhibited play. I photograph as a physical record of their childhood, life as it is… the real …but also as a reflection of a childhood rooted deep in my own past …a most sincere place of freedom.. a childhood I now pass on to my own children. Although deeply personal I believe that others will also connect to some aspect of their own childhood…
I believe my children are right where they belong covered in mud , running and living through nature.
They belong here wild and free and earth connected in a way where the landscape begins and there little souls end.
Today we live on a small block of land where I strive to replicate this childhood for my children… it is here in our wild and wonderful surroundings that I endeavour to tell their story… Life as it is. Artist statement by Niki Boon – Photographer, mother of four wild and free children
Here’s some of what we cover:
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you?
Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Niki had to share?
Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
My photography’s journey has been a bit of a long winded one – Niki Boon
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Niki or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too.
I don’t know what it is to be discovered – Niki Boon
I fell in love with photography after falling in love with the dark room – Niki Boon
Photography is such a subjective thing. It just is. The way I shoot it is the way I see it – Niki Boon
If nobody gives a crap, then I don’t really need to worry about anything – Niki Boon
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Illuminate Classes with Niki Boon
Episode 099: Gabe McClintock – How To Be True to Yourself in Your Photography Business
Darcy Padilla's Julie Project: when photography becomes humanitarian
Equipment
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Wide-Angle Lens
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Niki for coming on and experimenting with a new and different format for this photography podcast.
Also, a big thanks to The Image Salon for sponsoring this episode of the podcast and making the show possible. If outsourcing your editing is something you're currently doing or considering, please put the guys at The Image Salon to the test… I think you'll be blown away!
If what you breathe in is as awesome, then what you breathe out is at least a percentage of that – Niki Boon
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me, hope everything is going well for you in life and photography!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
I’ve been a big fan of Niki’s work for some time now and am so pleased that her reputation has ascended to an international level. Her work is strong, original and exceptionally moving. She is good because she loves her children and works hard at her photography every single day. Diligent practice and an affectionate eye are a winning combination.
Thanks for adding your comments Jock – I wasn’t as familiar wth Niki’s work till discovering it more recently but from everything I’ve seen, I agree 100% with everything you say.
Hope you stick around and check out a few more interviews.
Wow! I just finally listened too the interview with Niki today, sorry for forever lagging behind…
Niki, your work is absolutely stunning. Every picture make me excited inside and give me a sense of awe and a stupid smile… I sometimes get a 2 or 3 shots from each family session that make me feel like this, but your work is 100% these shots all the time. I love what you do, thank you for sharing.
Andrew, dude – you’re a good interviewer. Seriously, if the photography thing ever gets boring maybe you could start a talk show or something. You have a real talent for asking the right questions quickly, without effecting the flow of the interview, and never losing your natural enthusiasm for the subject matter. Both podcasts are a joy to listen to because of this.
I absolutely loved what Niki said about inhaling inspiration and exhaling your work, it’s a fantastic way of thinking about the way our own vision is shaped by the other things that inspire us.
Also, I am so pleased she mentioned being inspired by other art forms like painting and movies. I truly believe that you can take inspiration from everything that moves you, be it music, paintings, movies, food, whatever. I just thought about my favourite movies of all time and they TOTALLY match my photography style. I can’t believe I never noticed it before!
Cheers guys for a thoroughly inspiring listen!
Thanks Damian! No worries with being behind – no pressure to be up with each weeks episodes.
Mate, loved reading your comments, glad to hear you enjoyed Niki’s work, thoughts and ideas as much as I did.
And thanks for your kind words about my interviewing skills – that’s a fantastic and humbling compliment. Cheers!
I enjoyed looking at Nikki’s work before i listened to this podcast. The moments captured from childhood returned me to holidays with my country cousins and the fun we had running wild in far North NZ.
But you know how you can dislike something a person says and it colours everything you hear from them after that. It happened to me with this episode.
When i heard the words “i went back to NZ….i had no wonderful culture to inspire me ” i felt offended and i heard the rest of the episode in a negative way. I have no idea why i took that as she just completely dismissed my culture which is everywhere in NZ and reduced it to nothing. After that i wondered about how open her eyes are to what’s around her. Its way easier to be indifferent to the thoughts and opinions of others if you are self centered.
The concept of inhaling inspiration and exhaling your artwork work is a concept that will stick with me…but it’s attached to that comment now.
I think i will always remember the comment & the concept even if i forget the photographers name.
Thanks so much for adding your thoughts and comment Te.
I’ll see if Niki will come back and respond to your thoughts and her comments on NZ culture. I can see how it would offend you but truthfully, I didn’t notice the comment during the interview. If I did, I didn’t think it was offensive… but I’m not a native New Zealander either.
If you’re looking for other inspiration in a similar style, check out the work of Alain Laboile and Darcy Padilla – both amazing photographers!