Meet PI Student Nick Pearson, Landscape & Astrophotography Expert

Nick Pearson is a #PIgraduate and rising talent in photography whose striking portfolio spans landscape, portrait, and product work. His landscape, especially his astro photography images, capture nature's beauty in unique ways with vivid tones and thoughtful compositions. Whether crafting studio shots for products or fine art prints, Nick’s work demonstrates both technical precision and a creative touch. Learn more about Nick's journey in photography and his experience at PI!

Night landscape with stars and inspiring skiesImage Source: Nick Pearson npearsonphotography.com

Please share a bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Nick, father, designer, and passionate landscape and astrophotographer based in Christchurch. While I offer a range of photography services, including portrait and commercial work, my true love lies in capturing the beauty of land and nightscapes. Nature has always been both my escape and my greatest source of inspiration. Through my lens, I strive to share those breathtaking moments that make you pause, breathe, and truly take it all in.

What was your childhood dream?

To be honest, I can’t remember. I always wanted to be in a creative field, right from a very young age.

What’s on your wish list?

Travel, I'd love to be able to travel the world and capture more of Earth's offerings.

What brings you joy?

My family and photography.

What are your hobbies?

Apart from photography, I love design, music, food, fashion, hiking and exploring.

What inspired you to become a photographer?

Believe it or not, sneakers. I used to be a heavy sneaker collector, and I wanted to showcase them the way I saw them. So after finding limitations using my phone, I bought my first mirrorless camera in 2016, purely to take photos of my collection. Although this is no longer something I do, you can still find my work on my old Instagram account @sneakerjunkienz.

Product Photography on locationImage Source: Nick Pearson npearsonphotography.com

What is a typical day in your life like as a photographer? Do you have any rituals that you stick to?

It can be stressful; some weeks are good, some are bad, some are expensive, some are not [laughs]. All days and weeks are different.

What are some of your goals in photography?

I would like to make photography a steady, viable income, and also get out and travel more to capture a never-ending list of locations.

Do you have any professional achievements in your photography journey that you would like to share?

I have worked with some major sneaker brands a while back, like Nike, Adidas and Puma. I was also in the finalists selection of Red Bull Illume 2023. In terms of landscape and astrophotography, not really, although I’m not very big on entering competitions or anything like that. This may change in the near future, though.

How do you find a healthy work/life balance?

I don’t, I’m still trying to figure that one out [laughs].

Is the online community important to your work?

Yes and no — it’s a bit of a double-edged sword, both bitter and sweet at times. There are definitely a lot of positives within the online photography community, but it also comes with its fair share of negatives. Photography is such a subjective art form, so naturally, you’re going to face criticism from certain people, just like in any other creative field.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen is the tendency to measure the value of your work based on likes, comments, and shares. It’s easy to fall into that trap, and I’ve seen many photographers hold back from sharing their work because they overthink how it will be received.

To me, photography is a form of expression and art — there’s no right or wrong. You’ll never please everyone. In fact, some of the most incredible work I’ve come across has come from smaller accounts that don’t get the recognition they truly deserve.

The moment you start creating and sharing just to please others, you risk becoming disconnected from your passion and the reason you started in the first place. In saying that, overall, there is a great community, and I have made some amazing lifelong friends along the way. It's great for inspiration and finding like-minded people with the same passion as you.

Describe your work in three words:

Deep, moody, powerful.

Astrophotography and night landscapes showing stars and moody atmosphereImage Source: Nick Pearson npearsonphotography.com

Rapid Fire Questions

What is your favourite colour?

Hmmm, I have a few, but I'd have to say blue.

What is your favourite quote?

Pay close attention to those who don’t clap when you win.

What are your favourite books and/or magazines?

I don’t tend to read that much; I’m definitely a more visual person.

What are your favourite movies and/or series?

Wow, that’s a tough one. Too many movies to name. Series… Breaking Bad, Ozark, Land Man, Banshee, to name a few.

What is your favourite photography genre and why?

Landscape & nightscape, it's my happy place to be away from all the noise that life brings. It's when I’m truly relaxed and I feel completely at peace.

Who is your favourite photographer and why?

I wouldn’t say I have just one. I love William Patino, Marc Adamus, Uroš Fink, and Dan Zafra. Their styles, compositions, and technical skills are extremely inspiring.

What are your favourite accounts to follow?

Too many to name. Mainly photographers' personal accounts

Wanaka tree landscape –
long exposureImage Source: Nick Pearson npearsonphotography.com

Work & Study

Why did you choose to study with PI?

I wanted to become more confident in photography. Know what setting and what’s needed to achieve a particular result.

What did you like most about the course?

The freedom of working from home in my own time at my own pace.

What advice would you give to new students?

It's not a race, take your time, everyone learns differently, and always remember to shoot for you.

What projects are you working on now?

I have a clothing campaign I’m working on soon, which should be fun as it's based around the earth's elements. It's technical gear, so although fashion and portrait are the main jobs, it incorporates landscapes.

How can people connect with you?

Via Instagram. That’s my main point of contact and also my most updated portfolio.

Long exposure landscape at nightImage Source: Nick Pearson npearsonphotography.com

Nick’s journey shows how guided learning, community support, and hands-on practice can turn a personal passion into something greater. If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, gain confidence with your camera, or even explore photography as a side business, The Photography Institute’s flexible, in-depth online course can help you achieve your goals.

Explore our Professional Photography Course or connect with fellow students in our #PIstudent community on Instagram.

Follow Nick’s journey
Website: npearsonphotography.com
Instagram: @nickpearson_photography
Facebook: Paid To Shoot

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