If you want something, you have to ask for it – very rarely will things come to you.
Nick Wong
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It started with stickers. Not the digital kind, but the glossy, mini photo-booth strips that ended up on lockers and bedroom walls. Back in the early 2000s, Nick Wong was just another kid with a point-and-shoot camera, tagging along to Pacific Mall in Toronto, dressing up in silly hats with friends, and documenting everything. He wasn’t trying to be a photographer, he was just trying to connect.
But as life tends to do, one thing led to another. A darkroom class opened a new door. An art school rejection lit a fire. And over time, that casual curiosity turned into something serious. Today, Nick’s name shows up alongside brands like Red Bull and Lululemon. His portraiture is clean and cinematic, polished but full of feeling.
What’s stayed the same? His love of people. Not just photographing them, but figuring them out. What makes them laugh, what helps them relax, what story they really want to tell when the camera’s pointed their way.
In this episode, Nick talks about his journey-from teenage snapshots to full-blown commercial campaigns-and why the work, at its best, still feels a little bit like play.
Here’s what we talk about:
- What Nick learned by not getting into his dream program on the first try
- How the shift from fashion to portraiture helped him find his creative voice
- Why navigating a shoot is sometimes more about people skills than camera skills
- The role limitations play in shaping creativity (and why he welcomes them)
- Thoughts on staying motivated when inspiration doesn’t come easy
This one’s honest, funny, and full of moments you’ll probably nod along to. Especially if you’ve ever stared at a camera and wondered what the heck you’re doing. Hope you enjoy it.
Q: What sparked your interest in photography and led you to pursue it as a career?
Nick: When I was a teenager, I got a point-and-shoot camera as a gift, and I just went nuts documenting everything. But the real turning point was in high school when I had to take an elective and ended up in a black and white darkroom photography class. It was lucky timing and something I was already kind of into. That experience led me to art school, and eventually I applied to the photography program because I was just having way more fun with it. That’s what really started my career.
Q: What were some of the challenges you came across when trying to get clients like Red Bull and others?
Nick: Getting your foot in the door is always the hardest part. I networked a lot while assisting, just trying to be helpful and positive on set. The people who later gave me my big break were folks I’d met during those jobs. They remembered me, and when I reconnected, they were open to checking out my portfolio and introducing me to their producers. It was all about building those relationships.
Q: How do you create comfortable environments for your subjects, especially if they’re nervous?
Nick: I’ll do anything for a laugh. I want to keep people entertained and distracted enough that they can let their guard down. It’s about creating trust-letting them know they’re in safe hands and we’re not going to use anything they’re not comfortable with. I also love making up silly backstories during shoots to get people into a fun headspace. When everyone on set feels respected and equal, it creates the best environment for natural, beautiful shots.
🔗 Connect with Nick Wong
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey / Origins
- Nick’s first brush with photography came as a teen when he received a point-and-shoot camera. Living in Argentina at the time, he began capturing scenes from daily life.
- A black and white darkroom class in high school became a turning point. It all began as a scheduling fluke that grew into a deep passion.
- Nick aimed for a career in graphic design and advertising at ACAD, but it was his photography electives that truly sparked something.
- After being waitlisted, he eventually earned a spot in the photography program. That experience helped shape his mindset around persistence and opportunity.
📖 Philosophy / Vision / Storytelling
- Nick is most interested in people, their quirks, their stories, and what makes them unique. While fashion photography once drew his attention, it was the human element that ultimately guided his path.
- He talks about the value of comfort on set, how a relaxed, respectful atmosphere creates space for honest moments to shine through.
- One of his favorite reminders: “Creativity thrives on constraint.” He sees limitations not as setbacks but as ways to think more inventively.
- His goal is always to reflect how someone wants to be seen, rather than forcing them into a box.
📷 Tools, Gear, and Behind the Scenes
- Prefers a stripped-down approach when possible-less gear, more focus.
- Spent years assisting top commercial photographers including Mark Zibert and Adam Rankin, experiences that taught him technical depth and professional polish.
- Keeps a private Pinterest board where he curates images that spark ideas or visual moods.
- With a background in advertising, Nick approaches every shot with a designer’s eye, attention to layout, flow, and story.
🔁 Practice, Teaching, Platforms
- Offers feedback and mentorship to students and interns, sharing real talk about the industry and encouraging authenticity.
- Often guides clients through the “why” of a shoot, helping them clarify their goals so he can deliver images with purpose.
- Sees photography as an active discipline. Something you practice, revisit, and build through regular, intentional effort.
💬 Advice, Creative Strategy, or Challenges
- The commercial landscape has changed dramatically, fewer art buyers, more noise online, and rising demand for video content.
- He encourages creatives to put themselves out there and ask for the work they want, even if it means hearing “no” a few times.
- Staying inspired isn’t passive: it’s about staying curious, connecting with the world, and making time for discovery.
- Awards are nice, but he treats them like any other promotional tool. What matters most? Making the next good image.
🌍 Influences, People, Brands, or Places
- Nick’s photographed campaigns for RedBull, Lululemon, and other major brands, but also finds meaning in working with smaller clients to tell authentic stories.
- Draws inspiration from legends like Martin Schoeller and Annie Leibovitz, especially in how they capture character and mood.
- Values his early years as an assistant, where watching greats work up close had a lasting influence.
- Believes the energy of a set, how people are treated and how ideas flow, directly affects the final result.
🔮 What’s Next for Nick
- While he’s keeping future projects under wraps, Nick’s focused on staying open to new ideas and keeping that creative spark alive.
- For him, the excitement lies in exploration-mentally, emotionally, visually.
- Whether it’s a portrait or an ad campaign, he’s committed to pushing forward and creating work that feels alive, grounded, and real.
Great episode. Listened to it today while at work.
Glad you liked the episode! I really enjoyed my time with Nick 🙂