MELISSA NICKERSON
WOMAN OF FIRE
FROM THE SERIES WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM
It sometimes feels like women’s rights takes one step forward, and then three backwards. The last few years this feeling of backwards sliding has only increased as we see so many laws protecting women’s choices overturned or removed completely. With the state of women’s freedoms being suppressed massively in Iran and Afghanistan, and then with the death of Mahsa Amini, massive protests have been happening around the world. At one such event, I met an incredible group of Iranian women. It was then I knew what I wanted to do for this series. I felt there was no greater message I wanted to give than solidarity and acknowledgement of the shape of things right now. And for support of our sisters in the middle east.
As women, we are no longer fighting alone. Or trying to fight each other. We are fighting for each other. Embracing our differences and finding our similarities. In this series I wanted to show our love for each other. A literal embracing of our differences with love and compassion for where we all are – and where we hope to go.
What we felt in this studio was so powerful. When we laid our heads on each other and closed our eyes – we felt it. The power, the determination, and the incredible amount of solidarity we all felt, even though we all came from such different backgrounds.
I chose these women because they are all unafraid to stand up and be unapologetically themselves – and they all fight to raise up those that cannot raise up themselves.
ABOUT MELISSA
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.