Meet Haley Nishida

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Haley Nishida. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Haley below.

Haley, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by trying new things and collaborating with others. Exploring new techniques, new equipment, and new subjects forces me out of my comfort zone and pushes me to gain new perspectives. This enables me to become a more versatile artist and encourages me to continue growing. In my journey to master my craft, exploration reminds me never to accept the limits of my own imagination.

Collaboration humbles me by keeping me grounded. It can be intimidating to work with other notable artists, but it is the fastest way to learn new things and see the world from someone else’s perspective. Other people sometimes have better ideas or methods of achieving a goal than I do, and it’s good to recognize that and learn from them. One of the most amazing feelings is meeting other creatives and teaming up to create something magical!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a photographer and filmmaker, and I pride myself on my versatility and passion. The most exciting feeling about my work is when I’m able to use my creativity and a camera to lift others up. Whether it’s a photo that makes someone feel confident or beautiful, or a documentary highlighting a cause or subculture, art can unite us all. It has been such a unique and special way for me to connect with the world.

Nishida Shot is about authenticity – I love capturing a genuine smile and a pure moment. It’s like peeking into another universe in which I’m merely a spectator. The camera’s beauty is that I can share that peek with the world.

During June, I partnered with SPC Tattoos in a fun raffle. To garner support for local small businesses and the LGBTQIA+ community, we created a t-shirt available on nishidashot.com. A portion of the profits will be donated to One n Ten Phoenix, a community center that caters to LGBTQIA+ youth. In addition to supporting a fantastic nonprofit, each t-shirt purchase will automatically enter the purchaser into a raffle, where the grand prize winner will win a 1-hour photoshoot from Nishida Shot and a 2-hour Tattoo session from SPC Tattoo – a prize valued at $750. The winner will be announced in early July. (Terms and conditions apply)

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

These may come as a surprise because none of these qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge have anything to do with the camera, but they have gotten me through many aspects of my career and life.

1. Giving myself grace.
This is a huge one. I have learned that when I give myself grace when I’m frustrated with myself or a project, I have a stronger and healthier relationship with myself. This leads to better outcomes and resolutions in my life and art. I no longer beat myself up for dumb mistakes or not seeing a different solution. I can move out of my way, get out of my head, and enjoy the process.

2. Perfection is an illusion
Letting go of perfection feels like freeing myself from the noose of limitations—limitations that I have more often than not imposed on myself because I fear how others will perceive me and my art.

3. Ask
Lastly, one skill anyone can achieve is learning to ask. Ask if you can shoot that concert. Ask if a company has a photographer for their headshots. Ask if a coffee shop will hang your artwork. Ask if you can get a media pass. Ask that stranger if you can take their photo. Ask that stranger about their story. ASK and never stop asking. I’ve landed more gigs and achieved some of my greatest shots by asking if I could.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking for new people to collaborate with! I love connecting with others to create something magical together. Some of my favorite projects have been collaborations: musicians reaching out for music videos, Tattoo Artists wanting to show off their work in a new way, event coordinators needing photographers to capture moments, or construction companies needing to show their progress! No project is off limits, and I’d love to hear how I can help others achieve their visions!

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