Nina Menzel

There’s so much more to every film photograph that you see. There’s the story, history and background of a very talented photographer. One of these photographers is Nina Menzel, a Fashion & Beauty, Editorial & Documentary Photographer currently based in Berlin, Germany.

Nina loves the feeling that analogue photography brings, forcing us to slow down and break away from the digital world, where everything if moving so fast. Her art seeks to capture the youthful and unique.

Playing with perspective is central to Nina's work, especially when it comes to photographing other women. This focus on the female gaze allows her to create beautiful, interesting portraits of women. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

"I’m 24 years old (time is running wow) and I grew up in Berlin. I’m that city girl with a heart for nature and silence. I’m a hippie by heart living in a very fast world."

Why do you shoot film?

"Shooting on film for me is more real and authentic, as you can’t check the photos on a display. I love waiting for the the rolls to be developed and I feel like this makes me appreciate the process and the outcome even more."

 What do you usually shoot?

"I usually shoot women in a very natural way from the perspective of another women. I also love capturing still life and landscapes during my travels."

We asked Nina about several of her other film images, such as Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang, the ancient Chinese philosophy is a concept of dualism, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world.

Can you describe this photo?

"This series means a lot to me. To me, this photo represents Yin and Yang, the opposites that attract each other. Without light there is no darkness and without darkness there is no light. They are mutually dependent. Personally, my interpretation of Yin and Yang is neither male and female, but gender neutral. In water there is nothing but calm. The two identities can now become close to one another, melting together to form one unit."

The photo above was taken with a Canon 1000f and Kodak Portra 400 film. The meaning is all about being free spirited and becoming one with nature.

What is the meaning behind this shoot?

"The girl is Carlotta. She was one of the first models I ever shot. She’s has such a beautiful soul and owns this beautiful horse. Honestly everything happened spontaneously. She has such a free spirit and I was more or less documenting her way of being.It’s all about being free spirited and becoming one with nature."

 If you had to go back and tell your 18yr old self one thing- what would it be?

"That’s a hard one! I would tell myself that everything will get better and that I better find some trust in myself."

Instagram: @chaudsoleil

Website: www.nina-menzel.com