MELISSA NICKERSON
DARK ENOUGH (From the series We All Bleed Red)
We all carry that negative voice inside our mind. Thoughts we bury deep, hidden beneath the layers of smiles and clothes. Words said to us that twirl in our mind on repeat. It’s easy to forget we are not alone in that. Every person looking at this image has their own set of words on repeat inside their mind that they wish they didn’t.
But that doesn’t make us weak.
While bringing together the women for this series, we all spent time thinking about that voice, and the importance of being vulnerable enough with each other to share it. To be human is to struggle, is to feel pain and overcome, to keep going even when things aren’t perfect. We all experience that, no matter our religion, skin color, or age. It is our imperfections that make us human. And our compassion towards each other, and ourselves, that makes us humane.
MELISSA NICKERSON
Photography was always a way to explore and learn about the world for me. An excuse to be alone in the middle of the forest or in the middle of a dirty street in a foreign country. My passion lies in the exploration of unique cultures and the human experience. If I’m not outside climbing or caving, or just in general putting myself in the most extreme of outdoor situations that I can- I’m usually thinking up some crazy idea for my next project.
I believe in change and creativity and never becoming stagnant in my work or the way I view what I’m seeing. I love it when I look at a project and think ‘this is impossible’ then try to figure out a way to do it. Whether this pushes my body to its limits, or my mind.
The world of commercial photography is still dominated by men–but I love the challenge. The world of extreme outdoor sports is no different– and to photograph people in these scenarios I need to be every bit as good.
My work as a photographer and filmmaker has taken me all around the globe, from USA, Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, New Zealand and more. Studying in cultural anthropology, film production and fine arts photography have helped hone my knowledge, but I have undoubtedly learned the most through the talented and amazing people I have had the privilege of working with.