Who does not wish for their dreams to come true? After reading this interesting yet haunting story, one will think twice. A good night’s sleep is meant for relaxation and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, for a 15 year old boy night never came as a soothing time. Due to a condition called sleep paralysis he experiences extreme terror with haunting dreams and while being completely paralyzed in the midst of being awake and sleeping. He bravely thought of taking control of this unwelcomed creepy dreams by smartly making his own art as an innovative therapy. He started recreating the dream sequences with photography which turned his situation on its head and resulted in bringing calmness for him. This boy is all grown up and now is a famous photographer who uniquely recreates all the darkest dream sequences and captures them so intelligently that a single picture speaks up for whole dreadful story. Nicolas hard works and skills reflect in every photographical shot he creates.

How and when did you start incorporating photography for dealing with your dreams? What kind of process is involved in reenacting those scenes? How do you manage to get all the inventories for those scenes?N: At the end of my high school career, my art teacher encouraged me to start keeping a dream journal/sketch book to log my sleep paralysis dreams. This moment gave me the start to begin photographing my experiences that I documented I keep a journal or pad of paper on the edge of my nightstand so I can begin writing about my experiences, the moment I regain the ability to use motor functions. It is crucial to me that I begin documenting the dream the instance that I wake up. I will sketch a quick drawing of what I saw or felt, rather than attempting to describe the experience with words. The act of sketching the dream will inform the format of the final composition for the image that has yet to be photographed.
Due to the nature of my creative process, my craft has also extended to the world of sculpture and costume design. To create props and clothing for my characters, I often receive an influential spark from studying art history books and photographic archives of different periods to derive a blend of the events portrayed and combine my own twist on the subject I am creating. Sewing, metal and woodworking are three crafts that I rely on to bring the imagined set and props to life. The theatrical aspect of my sleep paralysis experiences sets the stage for the intertwining of historical imagery and conflict. The props that I do not make are normally found on the side of the road, the free section of craigslist, garage sales, or local antique shops.
Everything that happens in my images must happen in front of the camera. I strategically shoot a multitude images on a tripod while I model for the composition as the camera shoots on self-timer or shutter release remote. This allows me to have multiple images and poses to work with. The compositions become more organic when I am free to move about while the shutter is capturing images. The images are all pieced together in Photoshop afterwords.

Usually dreams have moving sequences. Why do you still like to capture only one still shot from the whole dream sequence? Has the same dream repeated or does it change depending on your daily events?N: The majority of my photographs are combinations of key events that happen in a multitude of my sleep paralysis experiences. I enjoy expressing these physical, auditory, and mood inflictions from the dreams through image format because I have the most control of what happens in the photograph, whereas I have no control of what happens in the dreams. I have repetitious dreams of certain characters or feelings, such as faceless figures or being strangled by shadowy hands. The dreams have changed and morphed through the years, especially after pursuing art.

What kind of emotions do you experience while reenacting those scenes? How does it feel when you get control over it?N: For most of my life, I have struggled with this purgatory state of consciousness. I have experienced extreme terror during these dreams, which include faceless silhouetted figures, embraces from shadow-like hands, warping of reality around me – all while being completely paralyzed in the midst of being awake and sleeping. It has taken a huge toll on my well-being. I used to be terrified to go back to sleep, often not sleeping for two days at a time. After I found therapy through making my art, I am now able to feel more calm upon waking up.

What is your favorite work so far and why? What do you love about photography?N: The faceless figures within the composition attached depict a reoccurring group of characters within the sleep paralysis experiences, which are often hostile in nature and motivated by blind aggression. The figures are attempting to steal the remaining light source from the individual at the top of the ladder, who is left with the decision to surrender ignition to the wicks of his pursuers, or plunge into the depths and extinguish his own light. Rope intertwines the figures to depict a unified tension and struggle between them. This tension is also portrayed through the uncomfortable act of forcefully wading through the murky depths of a pond with drenched clothing and your footing being absorbed into the mud. A compositional reference to the figures within Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa” was implemented to express the movement and body language of multiple figures within a frantic environment surrounded by water. The process of creating this image entailed the forcing of the buoyant ladder to stay erect while balancing it upon the unseen branches that were embedded in the muck. The linen wrapped and held my face by rope, already opaque, became drenched with water and increasingly suffocating and blinding. The calamity of the acts within photographs will remotely replicate the stressful ordeal of being stuck within a sleep paralysis episode.

Who is your favorite photographer?N:  I find an immense importance in referencing areas within the history of art. Painting, sculpture, tailoring, and historical fashion are all directly consulted in the creation of my work. I often look to painters and sculptors of the past for inspiration, rather than photographers. By studying the form and execution of these masterful works of art, I will be able to directly improve the way I create the composition of my photographs. I focused on 19th century art for my Art History Minor, and here are some of my favorite artists:

• Francisco De Goya 1746 – 1828
• Caspar David Friedrich 1774 – 1840
• Jacques-Louis David 1748 - 1825
• Théodore Géricault 1791 – 1844
• John Atkinson Grimshaw 1836 – 1893

What are your other hobbies?N: I have a strange variation of interests, some of them being: Archery, Fencing, Playing music (Guitar, Drums, Piano), Antique Collecting, and many other art processes.

What is your favorite place to visit and why?N: My home away from home would have to be Perugia, Italy, where I studied for a part of my college career. It is located in Umbria, "The green heart of Italy" where the medieval town sits upon the flowing green valleys of the countryside. I have returned once after my studies, and I plan to return and pursue a teaching position at the university at some point in my life.

What advice would you give to our special children for those interested in photography?N: Pursue the ideas that you hold dear, even if they might seem strange to you. Do not become frustrated with yourself if an idea does not come out in the exact way that you planned - this gives you the option to create something completely different and independent that may lead your work down an entirely new path. These are all important things to take into consideration, but the most important thing to remember is that the price and abundance of your photography gear will not make you a better photographer. It is more than possible to create stunning works of art with just your camera, one or two lenses, even your smartphone! Working with the minimal will force you to hone your craft to a point where you will disregard the need to buy excessive lenses and lighting equipment.

Any special message for our community?N: Do not be afraid to share your story! Your life and way of expression are unique - you never know who you might inspire!