An Interview With Freya From Nishaantishu
Today's interview is one that I've been excited to share for a while. Freya from the blog Nishaantishu is someone that I've admired ever since I discovered her blog. She's not only an incredible photographer but she's got an amazing perspective on life. So without further gushing/rambling here is what we got chatting about recently.
Can you tell us a little more about yourself Freya?
I'm a blogger, a photographer, and a traveler. I live in East London and travel a lot overseas on photographic assignments for various projects. When I'm at home I'm either working hard on being healthy and doing yoga, or binge watching Agatha Christie and eating macaroni and cheese - a lot of time is spent trying to find a balance in between. When I'm traveling I'm always after the perfect light for my photos and finding new and creative ways to tell a story.
What was the reason that you started Nishaantishu?
I started it when I got my first real job and there wasn't a lot for me to do. I had so much spare time and one day I came across an article online about blogging and thought "I can do that!". And I did. I think I fell in love with the skills it takes to be a blogger, the photography, the writing, the design and the creativity and that's what has kept me going.
You’ve recently had a rebrand and joined your photography website and your blog together, what was the reasoning behind this?
International development photography became my full time job and I wasn't just a lifestyle blogger anymore, not in the traditional sense anyway. I put off merging my work and my blog for a long time because I felt like they contradicted eachother, one day I was photographing in a slum in Pakistan and the next I was having coffee with friends in Shoreditch - how do you blog about both? But the fact is, that is my life and I just had to figure out a way to make it work. It's a work in progress.
Can you tell us a little more about what it’s like to work as a photographer in other countries?
It's amazing, but not for the reasons I thought it would be. It is the great adventure I thought it would be, but it's a balance of exhaustion from the 3am starts and exhilaration at getting that perfect shot. It's inspiring and fun, but heartbreaking and occasionally debilitating. It's a career that has a large drop-out rate because it's incredibly difficult, but more rewarding than anything I've ever done.
Any crucial travel tips?
Visiting a country "off season" can sometimes be the best time to go. Always search for flights incognito. Definitely ask a person before you take their picture. Don't be afraid to travel off the beaten path but always be aware of what's going on around you. Carry your bag on your front,not your back. And don't forget to call your parents, because no matter how old you get they will still get mad at you for flying to Pakistan and forgetting to tell them.
As an avid traveller, what is your favourite destination that you’ve ventured to?
It's impossible to pick one, but there are places that my heart longs for even years later. In Hong Kong and Japan I felt so at peace that I can still sometimes feel it and I would love to go back. India seems to have a hold on me and likes to drag me back frequently and with very little notice, which I kind of love. If I had to narrow it down I would say Asia, which I know isn't very narrow, but I love visiting all Asian countries.
Do you have any tips for anybody interested in a career in photography?
I would say there's more than one way to get through the door into working as a photographer. I started as a social media account manager and really pushed to create my own photographic and video content. Work really hard on your creativity and share it with the world through your blog or instagram. Reach out to other photographers and make them be your friends. Just really love what you do and keep working for it - do what only you can do, do it really well and you'll get there.
What’s to come on your blog in 2016?
Lots more travel! So of course lots of travel photos. My first stop this year is Senegal and it's been a long time since I've been to Africa so I'm really excited to share that adventure. Also, I snapchatted a few of my work travels last year which seemed popular so I'm toying with the idea of travel vlogging. I would love to put together an e-course for people looking to develop their personal photographic style. And of course a few secret projects that I'll be rolling out as the year goes on!
You can keep up to date with Freya over on;
