NIKKI SHORT

Over the past 13 years Nikki Short has worked with some of Australia's leading newspapers, global agencies and magazines. Such as, The Australian, Australian Associated Press, Agence France Press and The Daily Telegraph. She is known for her versatility across a wide range of assignments, creating mood evoking imagery and specialising in portraiture and photojournalism.

How did you get started in photography? 

“After a few years stumbling through dark-rooms I studied journalism at university and as soon as I graduated began interning with the photo department at News Ltd. I got such fantastic on-the-job training from all the photographers I shadowed, and basically, I stuck around long enough that they started paying me."

Any recent projects or assignment stories you can share with us? 

“I have a few ideas marinating. Not complete. I’m in the procrastination stage.” 

What's in your bag of tricks .. any gear preferences?

“Available light and available dark, always. I haven’t found lighting that creates the same mood and grit in my photos that natural lighting provides. I feel at one with it and my work is always better when I use it.” 

What's on your bookshelf or playlist?

“I’ve always got more than one book on the go – ‘Me Talk Pretty One Day’ by David Sedaris, ‘The Most Important Job In The World’ by Gina Rushton and for my fiction hit, ‘Honeybee’ by Craig Silvey. Musically, I’m all over the place.” 

What or who’s inspiring you right now?

“Cinema is really inspiring me at the moment. It’s always the lighting and those beautiful big wide dark scenes. Anything that shocks me awake inspires me, visually or emotionally. And of course any and all photojournalism, my one true love!”