by Maddy Figueroa-Jones

With a background in fashion and modeling, photographer Nikki intimately understands all aspects of this demanding industry. With a keen, creative eye this 'in-demand' photographer is definitely a woman with talent, focus and a unique perspective on capturing the curvy woman... get to know Nikki...

[Maddy] Many of us remember you as a model – tell me about the decision you made to become a photographer?
 
[Nikki] Modeling was a dream of mine for a long time and I am so happy I had the opportunity to do that. But it was never a future for me. Modeling led me to fashion that in turn led me to photography.

I was fortunate enough to work for "Dulce" for about a year and while I was working for them we did a spring photo shoot to promote the new designs we were carrying. We had a very small budget so Fluvia and I (a close friend and PLUS Model Magazine's very first cover model) took turns as both models and photographers on a windy March day in Brooklyn. Once we reviewed the pictures I realized I was much more excited to see the images I shot of Fluvia then I was so see the images of me as a model. It was in that moment I understood this is what I wanted to do.  

[Maddy] Once you felt that urge did you react immediately or did you really think about this career change?

[Nikki] I have to admit, I struggled with this realization for a while before I accepted it. You see, I was never the one to walk around with a camera around my neck. I always forgot to bring the camera to family functions and when I did remember the camera months would go by before I developed the film. I honestly never saw this coming. As time went on I kept thinking about the feeling I had when I saw the images I created. There was no longer any denying it... this is what I was meant to do.


Photo: Photographer Nikki G