Momenta welcomes this week’s guestagrammer, Nicholas Pinto!

Age: 35

Current job: Freelance Photographer

Current location: Chicago, IL

​Website: www.nicholaspinto.com

Connection to Momenta: Project New Orleans 2015 Alum

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

Tell us about your journey as an image-maker and how you got to where you are today.

Growing up, I could not have imagined that photography would play such an important part of my life. It was not until my mid-20s, after getting out of the military, that I began to explore this “new” world. From the start of my journey in my first black and white film photo class, I fell in love with photography. Taking that first photo class immediately gave me something special I had not experienced before, and I was seeing the world in a fresh new way. I went on to my other courses in psychology, but photography stuck with me. Anywhere I went I would see images. I ended up at Columbia College where I finished my Bachelors Degree in Photography and graduated in 2007. After school, I did what most people do and looked for ways to work and earn a living. I spent the next several years working as a graphic designer. That was a great experience and during that time I continued to shoot. After leaving that position I started shooting more often, working on projects and slowly my passion was being fed again. I have been working as a freelance photographer/designer in the great city of Chicago ever since.

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

What stories or issues are you most passionate about covering?

I am most passionate about covering stories about unknowns and underdogs. People that are honest and open and have no reservation in sharing personal stories with the world are the ones I gravitate to the most. Working with subjects that are often overlooked becomes more about personal stories and a responsibility to tell someones story correctly. In these cases the photograph becomes almost secondary. I have spent a majority of my documentary work covering homeless populations and others labeled “squatters.”

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

Where do you look for inspiration for your work: books, movies, authors, photographers, art, certain people?

I find inspiration in many places. For instant motivation, going to see a great show always works. Photo books are also a great resource. Documentary movies, concerts, podcasts and great conversations also keep the creative fire burning.

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

What social media or news feeds do you follow regularly? 

I enjoy and follow the Lens Culture blog, The Leica Camera blog, and the blog “A Lesser Photographer.”

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

What is one passion you have outside of photography that might come as a surprise to our readers?

I love riding my moped.

New Orleans, 2015 © Nicholas Pinto

What can we expect to see next week from your “guestagramming” on our Momenta Instagram account?

This week I will be posting images from “Portraits of Nola,” a series I shot while with Momenta in New Orleans earlier this year.

#seizethemomenta, and follow @momentaworkshops on Instagram June 21 – 27  to see Nicholas’ dazzling imagery!