Spotlight.
Nico Utuk
INTRODUCTION
Nico Utuk is an Edinburgh-based photographer with Nigerian roots, whose work centres on honest, observational storytelling. Through portraiture and documentary style imagery, he captures people, places and everyday moments with a quiet sensitivity and attention to detail. His practice spans personal series, cultural documentation and weddings, often exploring identity, community and lived experience across Scotland and beyond.
Working in a way that feels both intimate and unobtrusive, Nico’s photographs are grounded in authenticity seeking to reflect subjects as they are, rather than staging or directing them. Whether documenting local communities, creative practitioners or personal environments, his work carries a sense of warmth, curiosity and respect for the narratives held within each frame.
INTERVIEW
How did you get into your creative practice? What initially inspired you?
I was always fascinated by cameras as a child as my dad always had a camera. However I’d say as my interest in photography as a creative practice really started round about the early days of Instagram and seeing how photography could be used as a means of expression and connection.
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your creative practices?
Portraiture. I’m always drawn to people, as I believe as people, we’re all so unique and very individual in our ways. This always intrigues me, connecting with people and being able to document that individualism in the moment we share together, it’s such a privilege to be able to do that.
What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?
There have been quite a few so it’s hard to pick one, but a highlight for me was getting to shoot Young Fathers for The Skinny. That was a highlight given it was for the cover of the magazine which was a huge privilege, as well as that the team that was on location to make it all work were amazing, and the final photos have been some of my favourite photos I’ve taken.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into your creative practices?
For any creatives of colour looking to get into photography. I would say, just start, whether its with your phone or a £50 camera, whatever you have just start taking photos. If you can, find a community of other photographers that will help you grow as a photographer and a person. Galleries, photobooks are amazing for inspiration and learning. YouTube is a great resource for learning and research as well.
What are you currently working on?
At the moment, I’m not working on anything too specific. I’m always looking to make portraits of people, so looking for new people to take portraits of is what I’m exploring just now.