Drexina Nelson lives out her dreams behind the camera

         Drexina Nelson     photo by Ron Hill    

        Drexina Nelson’s career is taking off, but her feet are firmly planted in Atlanta. As a celebrity photographer, Nelson works with some of the most famous entertainers from Kanye West to Idris Alba. Her photos have been featured in Vogue and Nike campaigns, but this talented peach didn’t know photography was in the cards until she was forced to pick up a camera.

Living in Atlanta, also known as “Black Hollywood” Nelson spends her time getting to know a little bit of everybody. What makes her incredible is the ability to pick up a lens and peer into the soul of her subjects. Inspired by the Avant-garde work of Tim Burton and edge of Alexander McQueen, her work illuminates the hidden side of each person creating an illusion of closeness. 

“I want to make it like Alice in Wonderland with bright colors, but very dark,” Nelson explains. "I’ve seen people say 'Oh my God, I am so beautiful' or they tear up. When people put on the make-up and get in front of the camera it’s like watching a flower blossom; they go from dark to light.”

Starting out in the beauty industry Nelson wanted to become a make –up artists. She took her work to a string of agents who said the make-up was good but the photographs were subpar.  After numerous rejections Nelson invested  in lights and equipment to shoot the photos herself, the bold move sparked a love affair with the camera.

“I began to take the photos to show off my make-up and they would say these photos are great,” she recalls,’ “I realized I could capture the beauty I created with the camera and I started taking photos.”

The light bulb moment landed her in the presence of some of the biggest names in the fashion and entertainment world. Nelson has photographed Ludacris, Akon, Dj Drama, Idris Alba and shot for Badgely Mischka, Essence,.com, Jezebel magazine, and Bravo to name a few. Often, she researches her subjects to find out what they’ve done in the past, asking herself ,‘Are they controversial, edgy or dark?” She knows better than anyone a picture is worth a thousand words and shooting a one of a kind photo is essential to her success. Taking time to understand each artist is an important nuance in the creative process and Nelson enjoys the collaboration much like when she worked with Kanye West.

“We shot in a musician’s studio and what I liked about him the most is the way he expresses his art,” Nelson says.”He kept asking me ‘Which one do you like?’ and ‘What do you think?”

Nelson appreciates it when her opinion is encouraged, because at times her dream job presents challenges.  She works with many people who don’t trust her or assume she isn’t the photographer because she is a Black woman. The benefits of the job far outweigh the minor annoyances, but Nelson admits it takes a special gift to bring out the beauty in her subjects.

“You have to make them feel comfortable. And you have to be comfortable with yourself,” Nelson explains. “It’s been my life journey and I’m still very shy I’ve learned to cope with it, but I see it in my assistant. He ‘s like my baby and he reminds me of myself because he’s so shy, and you can’t be a wall flower in this business.”

Nelson is apprentice to four or five photography students and whom she calls her babies. She is passionate about helping others break into the industry and worked with celebrity photographer Derek Blanks on a project titled Power: The Shoot, a two day session catering to aspiring models, actors and musicians. The project allowed participants the opportunity to have a professional photo shoot at a deep discount.

“We worked with about 100 amateur models to empower them,” Nelson says. “Having the right image material can get you in the door a lot quicker."
 

Her warm smile and soft presence make her perfect to teach anyone about the subtle points of photography. Nelson is always calm, but as she talks her words reveal a restlessness common to anyone with ambition and purpose. She isn’t satisfied, and maybe she never will be.

“I think I’m pretty successful,” she says. “….but the world is so much bigger than I’ve ever seen.”

To learn more about Drexina Nelson go to www.drexina.com/drexinanelson