18-Year-Old Nirrimi Hakanson’s Career In Fashion Photography Is Impressive
By Daniel Haim
The first word that comes to mind when considering Nirrimi’s career in fashion photography is “impressive.” At 18 years old, Nirrimi has already been signed to work on campaigns for brands such as DIESEL and Billabong. A prodigious photographer from Queensland, Nirrimi’s work belies her age and her photography is well beyond her years. Here, Nirrimi recounts how she first fell in love with photography, what influences her style and what’s next for this self proclaimed ‘gypsy with a camera’.
Daniel: Nirrimi, thanks for your time. I’m a big fan of photography and was stunned by your portfolio, and by how young you are! You are “newly 18? right? I must ask, although you are young and new to the industry – has fashion photography changed since you first joined it?
Nirrimi: Luckily I see the industry and fashion photography embracing more of what is real. I hope it keeps steering toward the natural, and I hope I have a positive effect on that.
Daniel: Tell us about yourself, where are you from where did all of this begin for you?
Nirrimi: I’m from a little town close to the sun where I grew up with my mother and siblings. I’ve been creating my whole life, and just got consumed by photography when I was 13. I was crazy with all the beauty around me and just wanted a way to record it. I moved out a few years later and began traveling the world.
Daniel:When did you discover photography?
Nirrimi: I know I took many photos as a child, but it wasn’t until I became a teenager that it became this obsession.
Daniel: Do you like fashion or photography best?
Nirrimi: I do fashion photography because it gives me so much creative freedom and takes me all over the world. I’ve never really understood fashion though. My head is too caught up in other things.
Daniel: What has been your most rewarding achievement as an artist?
Nirrimi: Awards always make me feel special, but it’s little things that are really rewarding for me. Like overhearing a stranger talking passionately about my photographs or turning down a big job just because it would mean being disloyal to my style.
Daniel: What is your biggest dream? And have you accomplished that?
Nirrimi: I’d love to make films, to live near the sea, to have a child and give them an inspired life and to have my own exhibitions often. So many of my dreams have come true in the last few years and I feel so grateful for it all.
Daniel: Who’s your favorite photographer and who do you draw your inspirations from?
Nirrimi: I’ve always had a soft spot for Sally Mann. I draw inspiration from books, films, strangers and the world.
Daniel: What has been your favorite shoot so far?
Nirrimi: I am going on a big road trip through Europe to shoot a campaign in a few weeks and I have a feeling that will be incredible.
Daniel: What are the tools that a photographer cannot live without?
Nirrimi: A camera, an open mind and motivation.
Daniel: I’ve noticed a collaboration between you and DIESEL. How did this collaboration form?
Nirrimi: They were fans of my imagery. They flew me over to New York to shoot their winter campaign, it was the first time I’d been to America. It was crazy.
Daniel: What’s next for Nirrimi?
Nirrimi: Flying to New Zealand to shoot an album cover in a few days, Europe road trip for Billabong a week later, an exhibition in New York, shooting in L.A., holiday in Lake Tahoe and a trip around Asia for my birthday in August. I also just did a tee shirt line through Milk & Honey and my lover shot a film for them. There is so much good to come.
Daniel: Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years?
Nirrimi: I’ll never shake this wanderlust. I’ll have a little child or two, take them everywhere with me on wild adventures. We’ll be this artist gypsy family who follows the summer. I will shoot enough campaigns to get by happily. I will own a home near water with acres of untamed backyard. Everything will always be okay.