Photographer Gina Nero is Endlessly Intrigued by People

Australian photographer Gina Nero has spent the last few years living between her hometown Melbourne, New York and LA. Drawn in by the excitement of America and what she describes as its complex layers of society, Gina has been steadily documenting the people and places she’s come across—from Sunset Boulevard’s pastel streetscapes to the locals of Louisiana’s capital, Baton Rouge. It was there that she shot the above image, which recently took away the Independent Photography Festival’s coveted Grand Prize. We caught up with the up-and-coming creative to find out more about the winning photo and her fascination with the people in front of her lens.

'The Dog Show', Sunset Boulevard

The Creators Project: How did you first get into photography?

Gina Nero: I remember making a camera out of toilet paper rolls and tin foil when I was five. During high school I was introduced to the dark room and I really enjoyed making dioramas out of food and photographing them. It was the first thing I did consistently that gave me joy, so I stuck with it.

What is the key to getting a great portrait?

The relationship between the subject and photographer.

How do you create a relationship, especially with strangers? How do you approach them?

I find that asking people—and them posing—makes both the subject and photographer nervous, and the mood can be lost entirely. If I’m instantly obsessed with someone I have to get to know them. If I ask a person for a photo and walk away, I feel a pang of guilt as if I have taken advantage of them. I want to engage and I want to have a conversation. This is not domination versus submission. It’s obvious when there is a wall between the photographer and subject in a photograph, no matter how exotic or photogenic the setting is. Having said that, I’ve definitely photographed people without asking, but there is a clear engagement as our eyes meet and there’s an understanding that this is happening, that it’s okay and that we don’t need to speak. It’s like a dance. Perhaps I’m wrong, but this is the feeling I get. It’s important to know when you’ve crossed a line and when you’re not welcome, but it’s also important to be brave enough to stretch that boundary a little.

'Bad Girls', Hollywood

What do you most like taking photos of?

People intrigue me more than anything; when I feel sad I photograph buildings.

What’s your go-to camera?

Mamiya 7 with an 80mm lens, Fuji Natura Black 1.9, and last week I bought a Pentax 67 with a 105mm lens, so I’m excited to see how we get along. I believe every camera has a very different personality.

How do you incorporate technology into your photo practice?

I will scan my negatives or, more often now, have the lab scan them for me. I can spend a day or three on one photo.

Colours and palettes are really strong in your work. Is this something that you purposefully try to achieve, or do you find yourself naturally drawn to these sorts of scenes?

I try not to over-plan images because then I have set expectations. The best photos are the ones I don’t take and the second best photos are surprises. Colour mostly depends on my mood and what my surroundings have to offer. Last year if someone had presented me with a 10-foot brick wall painted in pastel pink I would have wee’d myself. Maybe not so much now.

So, can you tell us the story behind your winning IPF shot?

It was taken in South Baton Rouge on a humid April afternoon. I met Zane Marks aka ‘The Train’, a world champion boxer from Scotland [on the left in the photo], across the street from where I was staying. We spent a few days wandering the streets exploring what he called the “nitty gritty" of South Baton Rouge. This shot was taken at the infamous Candle Shop.

What are you working on at the moment?

I will be spending the first half of December in Cuba. Early next year I’ll be documenting Danok, Thailand, a fascinating border town.

'FriendsWithYou', Downtown Los Angeles

You can see more of Gina Nero's work here, and follow her on Instagram here. The Indepdent Photography Festival is currently showing in London and Sydney. You can find out more about IPF here.

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