Photographer and Photo Editor of Missbehave Mag, Brooke Nipar lays it out in this week’s Confessional. Looking good both in front of and behind the lens, this striking beauty dishes out about how she got connected with the Missbehave crew, her favorite celeb photoshoot, and how her grandfather helped start her on the road to photography.
Make sure to check out more of Brooke’s work online: www.brookenipar.com
Name and Age, please:
Brooke Nipar. Age: 29
Marital status:
Single.
Where are you originally from?
Los Angeles.
How long have you lived in New York?
It’ll be 6 years in May.
What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
East Village.
What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
Daft Punk at Coney Island, rooftop parties, trips to Long Beach in the summertime, the first MISSBEHAVE party at Happy Valley.
How long have you been taking photos and how did you start?
I started taking pictures when I was 13 or so. My Grandfather was a photographer, when he passed away he left me all of his photo equipment and I started playing around with it. Then I started taking photography classes when I was a sophmore in high school which led to me studying at Art Center.
Currently you’re the photo director of Missbehave, how did you connect with the magazine and what does your job require of you?
My connection with MISSBEHAVE was truly serendipitous. Samantha, the founding editor, had seen some of my work and contacted me to see if I wanted to contribute to a new project she was doing called “MISSBEHAVE”. At that point she was just working to produce a promo copy to pass around to advertisers so they could get the vibe of what the mag would ultimately be like. She had already started working with our other editors Sally and Mary but didn’t have a photo editor. We got on really well and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of it and the rest is history. It was totally meant to be. The four of us that started this magazine together have a really special chemistry, I don’t think any of us are replaceable. There’s a piece of each of us that goes into every issue and it’s so awesome that people have responded so well to it.
Being the Photo Director of MISSBEHAVE requires me to handle all things photo based. I research and hire all the photographers that shoot for us. I then edit and choose all of the images that go into each issue. I work closely with the other girls to make sure everyone is happy with the content and that we’re all on the same page. If one of us is strongly opposed to something it usually doesn’t make it in. I spend a lot of time looking at websites, meeting with photographers to look at their portfolios and checking out other magazines just to see what everyone else is up to out there.
Aside from the photo stuff I pitch ideas for content and stories in general, help with planning of MISSBEHAVE parties/events, and I’m also the de facto music editor. I guess I wear a lot of hats. Hahaha. But I like being involved in all aspects of the mag.
You’re also a freelance photographer, what do you consider your biggest or most rewarding job?
So far I think my favorite shoot/job was going to London to shoot M.I.A. for the cover of MISSBEHAVE. I’m a huge fan of hers and we had wanted her on the cover since the very beginning, so finally getting her for the cover of issue 5 and getting to shoot her myself was really rewarding all the way around. Plus she’s a really rad girl and super fun to photograph.
Any favorite photoshoots or people you enjoyed photographing?
Shooting Amy Winehouse definitely goes down in history as one of the most “interesting” shoots I’ve ever done. I’m a big fan, but she’s completely nuts.
Digital or film?
Both. I love shooting film, but it’s just not as practical anymore for multiple reasons.
What are your thoughts on all the party/event photography websites and photographers such as Cobrasnake, Last Night’s Party, and Photobytone that have come to the forefront of internet/digital photography in the last few years?
Yeah, the whole party/event photography thing has gotten really big over the past couple of years. People love going out at night and seeing themselves up on these sites the next day. It’s completely different from what I do but I can totally respect it. Especially with Bronques (Last Night’s Party). For a long time everyone thought of him just as a “party photographer” but he’s really pushed the boundaries over the past few years and is doing amazing work. He’s a friend and watching him shoot is fascinating to me– he connects with people on another level.
Which photographers do you admire or inspire you? What do you consider the highest achievement for a photographer?
There’s so many photographers that I admire: Guy Bourdin, Andreas Gursky, Richard Burbridge, David Sims, Larry Clark, Avedon, the list goes on and on. I think the highest achievement for a photographer is to be respected by those you admire.
What advice would you give to young photographers trying to get noticed?
Be yourself and shoot what you love.
Got any favorite clothing brands/designers?
I like Rojas a lot. My friend Alejandra designs for them and she does an amazing job. Brian Lichtenberg is a really cool young designer out of LA. I love the favorites like Ksubi, Jeremy Scott, Bernard Willhelm, etc as well.
Got a long term plan?
My long term plan is to be happy. That’s all I want honestly. Hopefully that will always involve photography.
Do you have much free time? And what do you do when you’re not working?
I could be busy all the time if I wanted to be but I definitely make time for fun. I need to or I would go crazy. I go out dancing with my friends as much as possible. My roommate Jules (www.bijulesnyc.com) and I have people over for dinner/house parties quite a bit as well. During the summer I’m usually at the beach on the weekends.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m not really sure how I would describe it– I wear so many different types of things mixed together. I was having dinner with a friend the other night and he said that I “only wear pieces that are typically Brooke Nipar”… so whatever that means!
What’s your prized possession?
I have a few, but recently my black leather motorcycle jacket I picked up at a flea market in London. I wear it almost everyday.
Where do you like to shop?
I love Opening Ceremony and Seven here in NYC.
Do you go out much? Got any favorite bars, lounges, and clubs?
Yeah, I go out a lot. Hahaha. Part of living in NYC that I love is that there is always something to do. I have to force myself to stay home sometimes. Studio B and 205 are the only places I go regularly. Other than that I just go to where my friends will be or where the music is good.
Please name your top 3 fave restaurants in NY and what your favorite
dish(es) is/are there.
Peasant: everything is excellent.
BLT Prime: the fillet and the blue cheese tater tots.
Cafe Mogador: my neighborhood spot. I eat there a few times a week. The greek salad and the Lamb Tangine Casablanca are my fav. The brunch is also really great.
What music have you been listening to lately?
My friends band KUDU is about to release a remix album that I’m way into. Other things on rotation would be Modeselktor, Radiohead, The Kills, Santogold, Spiritualized… Too many things to list, really. I’ve also been listening to a lot of the music I loved when I was in high school: Fugazi, Nine Inch Nails, Jawbreaker, Stiff Little Fingers, Joy Division, The Cure.
Do you plan on living in NY forever?
I think so… I feel like I will probably always be based here anyway. I love NYC. It’s been really good to me and it’s a great place to live while you’re young. Being that I’m originally from Cali I could see myself wanting a house with a yard and trees, etc at some point. But I don’t think I could ever leave NYC completely…. after all, it is the center of the universe!
If you smoke, tell us your favorite rolling paper. If you drink, tell us
your cocktail/drink of choice.
I’m a total wino. I LOVE wine. I drink it everyday. I have fantasies about owning my own vineyard one day. Right now I’m really into South American wines- Riojas and Malbecs. I was in heaven when I travelled to Argentina a while back because you can get the most amazing bottles of wine for like, 5 bucks.
Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
Mary Choi
No Kareem, she is THE Princess….and deserves everything she gets….GG PB.
Brooke is great. what brand are the square tortoise shell sunglasses she is wearing in the #9 photo? anyone know? thank you…
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The unicorn always wins! Brooke is a princess !
-K