Niki Boon of www.nikiboonphotos.com leapt from obscurity into the eyes of adoring photographers immediately after the raw, gritty and documentary styled images of her children were discovered and shared across the web.

The idea of living a simple life in rural New Zealand while home schooling her kids without TV and modern electronics is on the tipping point of becoming a paradox with the social media and real attention Niki is receiving.

We discuss photography, lifestyle, creativity, money, fame and a whole lot more in this candid interview which is kicked off with what I felt was the perfect introduction… Niki reading her “artists statement” which you can find below.

We live a simple life in rural New Zealand, on a 10 acre property surrounded by rivers, coastline, bush and hills.

My children are unschooled and live without TV or modern electronic devises, a lifestyle that may seem unconventional to some, but I am here to celebrate the magical place I choose to live with my family.

I document their days, together, in an environment full of nature and uninhibited play. I photograph as a physical record of their childhood, life as it is… the real …but also as a reflection of a childhood rooted deep in my own past …a most sincere place of freedom.. a childhood I now pass on to my own children. Although deeply personal I believe that others will also connect to some aspect of their own childhood…

I believe my children are right where they belong covered in mud , running and living through nature.

They belong here wild and free and earth connected in a way where the landscape begins and there little souls end.

Today we live on a small block of land where I strive to replicate this childhood for my children… it is here in our wild and wonderful surroundings that I endeavour to tell their story… Life as it is.  Artist statement by Niki Boon – Photographer, mother of four wild and free children

Here’s some of what we cover:

• How Niki feels after being discovered and gaining rapid popularity
• Why Niki prefers to homeschool her children
• How Niki learned photography
• What happens to the images of Niki’s earlier work
• Why Niki photographs her children the way she does
• Who were Niki’s photo stories for
• Why Niki prefers shooting in black and white
• Carefully curating and sharing photos to stay true to your photographic vision
• Does Niki’s photographic vision dictate day to day activities for her children
• How Niki reacts when her photos don’t get the response she’s expecting
• Staying true to your vision for your photography
• How Niki deals with the negative feedback about her work
• Thoughts on cashing in on the popularity she’s gaining
• How Niki approached her first wedding and why she agreed to photograph it
• The best place to find photo books
• Where Niki’s inspiration comes from
• Is Niki willing to move away from documenting her children to capture different stories
• Is photography a job or a hobby for Niki
• Why you need to stop paying attention to what other people think
• Does photography motivate Niki to generate income
• What is Niki most scared of with how things are going with her photography
• Why Niki loves to shoot day in the life sessions with families
• Why Niki doesn’t retouch or alter her images

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you?

Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Niki had to share?

Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

My photography’s journey has been a bit of a long winded one – Niki Boon

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Niki or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too.

I don’t know what it is to be discovered – Niki Boon

I fell in love with photography after falling in love with the dark room – Niki Boon

Photography is such a subjective thing. It just is. The way I shoot it is the way I see it – Niki Boon

If nobody gives a crap, then I don’t really need to worry about anything – Niki Boon

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Niki Boon Website

Niki Boon on 500px

Niki Boon on Facebook

Niki Boon on Instagram

Illuminate Classes with Niki Boon

Episode 099: Gabe McClintock – How To Be True to Yourself in Your Photography Business

Walker Evans

Robert Frank

Ralph Eugene Meatyard

Johannes Vermeer

Pieter Bruegel

Darcy Padilla

Darcy Padilla's Julie Project: when photography becomes humanitarian

Equipment

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS with 1080p Full-HD Video Mode Digital SLR Camera (Body)

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Wide-Angle Lens

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Niki for coming on and experimenting with a new and different format for this photography podcast.

Also, a big thanks to The Image Salon for sponsoring this episode of the podcast and making the show possible. If outsourcing your editing is something you're currently doing or considering, please put the guys at The Image Salon to the test… I think you'll be blown away!

If what you breathe in is as awesome, then what you breathe out is at least a percentage of that – Niki Boon

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!

That’s it for me, hope everything is going well for you in life and photography!

Thanks and speak soon

Andrew