Photo credit: DALTON HERNANDEZ
Nadia Block (pronounced *NAD-JA*) is a native New York artist currently living on Long Island, whose creative journey spans multiple disciplines. Beginning her career as a jewelry designer and maker of functional art, she later transitioned to painting pet portraits and landscapes. Additionally, Nadia spent 20 years working as a graphic designer and art director for both print and web design, a background that continues to inform her visual style, compositions, and approach to digital art.
Over the years, her work has evolved to include photography as a primary medium. In 2014, she began focusing on photography full-time, blending her graphic design expertise with a painterly editing style to create digital art that is often as much about texture and mood as it is about subject matter. Her process involves manipulating multiple layers in Photoshop, weaving abstract and recognizable elements together to form complex, immersive works.
In 2017, Nadia became an influencer for a helicopter company in NYC and was featured in RIZZOLI's New York City on Instagram book, showcasing her vibrant aerial photography of the city. She also partnered with Adobe on a Mobile Lightroom Campaign, further solidifying her role as a notable figure in the digital art and photography space.
In 2023, Nadia started experimenting with abstract compositions through her photography manipulations, continuing to challenge the boundaries between digital and traditional art forms. Her process is both meticulous and imaginative. Starting with high-resolution photos, Nadia builds layer upon layer in Photoshop, manipulating textures, colors, and forms to create compositions that blend abstract and recognizable elements. The final works often evoke a balance between chaos and tranquility, drawing viewers into immersive visual experiences.
This gave birth to her "Psychedelic Series", a body of work that is deeply colorful, vibrant, and imaginative. Additionally, she launched a wallpaper line, which stands out for its non-repeating, single-scene designs—transforming entire spaces into works of art.
Beyond her artistic collaborations and accomplishments, some of her most fulfilling work comes from her partnerships with non-profits. In November 2018, she traveled to India with the Nomi Network, working to combat human trafficking through visual storytelling. A year later, in June 2019, she joined Watts of Love on a mission to the Philippines to deliver solar lights to off-grid communities. Through these projects, Nadia's lens has captured stories of resilience and hope, bringing attention to critical global issues.
The following is from a @presco Interview and offers insight into her creative process and artistic journey.
Nadia Block is an New York/ Brooklyn based photographer whose main purpose is excite people with her shots and she is really good at that!
I hope you’ll enjoy the interview;
How did you fall in love with photography?
I am an artist. Photography has always been the gateway/ starting point for my paintings.Three years ago I decided to pursue photography as my final art. I think the community that i have since built, contributes to the love I have for photography…
How important is having a unique style as a photographer? How would you describe your style?
As an artist, I have tried to be clear (firstly with myself) that my art/ photography was uniquely me. When I was in college, I struggled in my first drawing class a GREAT deal! My drawings didn’t looked like the others students and that was initially very hard for me. i didn’t feel i fit in or saw the world as others did. I beat myself until I finally realized that my style- with all its flaws- was powerful and interesting in a different way. My teacher at the time helped me to see that my style was maybe more expressive than the students who could draw the model realistically…
It was one of the most important life lessons for me- and allowed me to begin to accept and even appreciate me…
Where did you grow up? How have your roots influenced your sense of style?
I grew up in Brooklyn and NYC. Growing up in NY gave me access to a lot of experiences that formed my style and influenced my growth, at an early age. I think it helped me with my confidence, having had many – let’s call them- interesting encounters at a young age. (smile) I think it made me grow up a bit faster than if i had grown up in a suburb or smaller town…
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers out there?
I think it’s important to have a community which you learn from and which supports you. One where you can give back to as well. Whether that be a club, through school or social media. I personally love to learn- so whenever i get a new piece of gear – a camera- i’ll take a class.
Have you ever run out of ideas?
Sure, there are days/periods when I feel blocked. I’ll then ask myself if there is a good reason for it- if i should step back and take a break or simply push myself to create, even if i feel blocked.
How do you find places and for your shootings?
Since I tend to not shoot people it would be places. Sometimes a photo friend will suggest we chase something in particular, I will come up with something, or see something on tv, a magazine or on social media that i want to explore…
What’s the one piece of photo gear you couldn’t live without?
My Manfroto tripod for night/long exposures.
Do you edit your photos? If yes, which programs do you use?
I do. In fact, I consider my editing process about 1/2 of my creative process- shooting being the other 1/2. I use Lightroom… I’ll sometimes use the Nik collection as well…
We would like to express our gratitude to Nadia Block for this great interview.
