Luna Sweetheart: Nikoli Partiyeli
BRINGING THE VIEWER INTO THE PHOTO WITH EACH SHOT - Nikoli Partiyeli captures moments effortlessly and authentically. The Los Angeles based creative excels in creative direction by using his practices in photography, design, and videography, always putting his touch on each project. Partiyeli has played a crucial role in the development of The Luna Collective and has been a key player as a photographer and creative director since the first issue of our magazine. Most recently he has worked with Wallows as their tour photographer and BTS videographer, highlighting their moments on and off the road. Whether it be photo, design or branding, Partiyeli is able to tap into a variety of creative pursuits for his work. Partiyeli also creates music under the name Elais Park, bringing in a variety of sonic elements to forge his unique sound.
During quarantine Partityeli has kept busy with Luna, freelance work and his music. The creative is always up to something and continues to raise the bar for himself and his peers. View some of his work below and read on to learn more about his photography, touring and more.
LUNA: How has your creative style developed over time?
PARTIYELI: I’ve almost always had a camera on me and I would take photos of pretty much everything. Now it's more structured, selective in the sense that the photos I’m taking are fluid with the moment I’m in. Finding the balance between directing the shoot and letting people be themselves. Sometimes even choosing to observe the moment rather than photograph it because I don’t want to disrupt it.
LUNA: What role do you think your background in design and art school has played in the development of yourself as an artist?
PARTIYELI: It taught me how to stay light on my feet and that it’s not always about working hard, but working smart.
LUNA: You shoot both digital and film depending on the project, so do you find yourself approaching the work differently depending on the medium you’re shooting with?
PARTIYELI: Film has really impacted how I shoot digital photos. With film I look to take one good photo and move on to the next due to the 36 pictures in a roll, unless the camera decided to wind the roll early on me then I have to reload the film. That mindset impacted how I shoot digital because I started looking to take one “this is the shot” photo, rather a lot of “ok” photos that I’d later have to sift through.
LUNA: Going off of that, does your creative process differ for editorial projects vs. commercial vs. personal or are you approaching them all the same way?
PARTIYELI: It’s really a case by case basis.
LUNA: What’s been inspiring you lately?
PARTIYELI: Bill Murray, the way he functions as an artist fascinates me. Did you know that in order to pitch him anything he has a phone number you have to call & leave a message? If he likes the pitch he calls you back.
LUNA: The past year or so you’ve been a tour photographer for Wallows. How does taking photos on the road and at shows differ from the previous work you had experience with?
PARTIYELI: The consistency of working and growing with a group of people, rather than just shooting a one off event or show. Especially because being on the road and taking pictures I feel like I’m lucky enough to document my friends just being themselves.
LUNA: What’s something you learned later on that you wish you had known the first day of touring?
PARTIYELI: Pack light.
LUNA: If you could pass on any words of wisdom to those wanting to get into tour photography but unsure where to start, what would say?
PARTIYELI: Grab a camera, grab your film [or sd card], and start taking pictures of everything.
LUNA: What’s been your favorite shoot this past year / photo you’re most proud of?
PARTIYELI: Well obviously it was shooting the photos for our Reflections book that we put out at the start of the year. I loved coming to the office that week and having all our friends pull up.
The photo I’m most proud of is this picture I have up in my office of my friend Andrew. We took the picture a few years ago, but it’s the biggest photo I’ve ever handed printed in a dark room, took about three hours, / it’s the only version of it like that.
LUNA: Why is collaboration important to you?
PARTIYELI: The free flow of ideas with the right collaborator almost always leads to an idea that I couldn’t have necessarily found on my own and I believe we’re the sum of our shared experiences.
LUNA: What do you want people to takeaway from your work?
PARTIYELI: To feel like they’re part of it, like they can place themself in that moment with me.
LUNA: I know a lot is up in the air right now, but do you have any upcoming plans or goals you’d like to share? Any intentions you’d like to speak out?
PARTIYELI: Intentions, hmmm if anything I want to speak out that I’d want the touring to come back I miss it. Goals are something I’m keeping close right now, but I definitely have some projects in the works.
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From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
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RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
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RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg