Meet the Artist

Hello,

My name is Nikki. I am the photographer behind this site and I am so excited that you are here! As an introduction, I want to share a little bit about myself just in case there is anyone visiting this website who may not know me personally. Firstly, welcome! I am an Alaskan nature photographer currently residing in Anchorage. I was born in Homer and raised between Valdez and Anchorage, so I have a deep personal history with Alaska; it is this history that has always pulled me towards nature. Even when I was spending time living in Pittsburgh, one of the most industrial cities in the country, I still sought out local parks to find comfort in the outdoors. I especially love animals and most of my photography is focused on the wildlife we are privileged to share this Earth with. It is my goal to present both wild animals and their environments with empathy, thoughtfulness, and uniqueness, and I hope that you enjoy and connect with the product of that goal.

Beyond photography, I am an avid cinephile and can often be found looking for a new movie to watch. Film is actually a major source of inspiration for my photographs. I love studying the composition and color used by talented directors as a way to explore my own style. My biggest visual inspirations are Theo Angelopoulos, Agnes Varda, Akira Kurowsawa, and Spike Lee; each of them are recognizable in how they use images to communicate their stories and I hope to someday be as distinctive in the work I produce. I also find inspiration through music and enjoy making playlists to listen to as I drive to different field locations and while I edit. (I actually make them monthly on Spotify, which you can find here!) Honestly, I am a fan of most things artistic and also enjoy other forms of visual art, fashion, and interior design. If it’s creative, I’ll probably be into it! When I am completely decompressing you can generally find me rollerblading (or skiing), snuggling with my cat and dog, or enjoying beer and a vegan dinner with my boyfriend.

I am SO excited to begin this new adventure that is NL Wray Photography! Thank you, again, for visiting my website. Please browse my portfolio and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions for me!