The co-owner of a wedding and family photography business that he started when he was in high school, Weinberg junior Nelson Fitch is by no means a novice to the art world. Yet while the lighthearted optimism of family photos is certainly profitable, Fitch prefers to dabble in the more substantive genres of portraiture and fashion. His mission statement remains subject to the unpredictable whims of his inspiration, but Fitch cites French philosopher and social critic Roland Barthes’ idea that “A photograph is always invisible” as a principle that continues to guide him.
With portraiture, he seeks to capitalize on the mannerisms and the social context of his subjects in an effort to present them as individuals in a particular setting. Ideas for pieces are thus subject to the events that he observes and the people that intrigue him. “I don’t want to talk about fashion photography,” Fitch admits, adding that while the craft is amazing, the concepts communicated are not terribly engaging. “It’s establishing relationships that excites me,” he continues, stressing that his subjects are what fuel his passion. Fitch references Sam Jones, Tim Walker, Denny Renshaw and Nick Knight as influences.