1.8k 1

Nathaniel Paolinelli is a street photographer based in Albuquerque, NM. He was kind enough to share a bit of his work and a few words with us. Scroll through to see a look into day to day life in as shot through the lens of Paolinelli.

Where are you located? Albuquerque, New Mexico

How is it there for a photographer? I just love taking pictures anywhere I am. I used to think I needed to go to a larger place to shoot but there are some really great people and places in Albuquerque. I really never go anywhere with the intention of shooting anything in particular. I just always have a my camera with me and I shoot what is around me.

How would you describe the city to someone who has never been there? It’s a great mid sized town that sits in a valley between tall mountains and the desert. There is good food and good times to be had and I’ve grown up in Albuquerque and these days it’s a pretty cool place to be. There is a relaxed vibe to the place. People in general are nice and friendly and there is a flourishing local art scene.

How did you get started taking pictures? I few years ago I bought an old nikon d40 but I really didn’t start to use it until I got an iPhone. The phone is what got me into taking photos.

Did you go to school for it? No. I went to school and got a degree in history. All my photo education comes from trial and error and some youtube videos.

What kind of gear do you shoot with? Currently I’m shooting a Sony a7r ii with either the 35mm or 55mm lens. I love the small size and great image quality. It’s small enough that I can take it everywhere with me. I also shoot with my iPhone too. It’s amazing the photos you can get with phones these days.

What are your main influences? Honestly I like so many different photographers and styles of photography I could not say I have a main influence. I’m really just inspired by the everyday things and people I see. They are what make me want to shoot.

How do you prepare mentally for a shoot? I guess I’m always always mentally prepared to shoot. I always have a camera with me and I take a photo when I see something interesting to me.

Do you have a routine for going to take pics? What is it? I have no routine. I just have a burning desire to make photographs. I shoot everything from people to landscapes to random objects.

Do you have any advice for someone just getting into photography? Shoot what you love. Don’t worry about gear. It’s not the camera but the eye behind it that makes a good photo.

If you were alive before cameras existed, what do you think you would be doing? I really enjoy anything creative. I could see myself being a wood worker. But I’m not sure if that would work. Of all the creative things I’ve done so far photography of the only one that what I see in my head can be captured on my camera. When I would draw the drawings never looked like how I wanted them to but with my photos they look like what I want them to.

What do you want to be doing in 5 years? I’m really interested traveling more and shooting more people. I would like to take some time off work and explore interesting places and meet the people who live there.

See more of Nathaniel’s work here.