Meet Nolan Terrebonne | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nolan Terrebonne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nolan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It was an outlet for a ton of emotions and tensions. A way to balance out all that to a positive outcome. Being creative for me will always be about freedom of expression, really freedom in general.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For starters it brings joy to do what you love, especially being creative. One should never take doing what they do for granted. I started as a musician way back. It was an outlet for a ton of emotions and tensions. A way to balance out all that to a positive outcome. Being creative for me will always be about freedom of expression, really freedom in general. I got into photography really by accident. It all came from working in the music industry. Taking photos of the bands I was in and bands I worked with. Advertising, record covers for unknown acts. All because I wanted to be self sufficient. I really had no plan for pursuing a career as a photographer, it was more or less because I felt the same enjoyment as I did playing shows. It was just something I did because I enjoyed doing it. I got my first major record cover out of chance. Randall Bramblett The Bright Spots. It wasn’t until that moment I felt it could be anything other than enjoyment. I never got into anything because I thought it was cool to do or a ton of folks were doing it so I have to. It was all out of just having a creative outlet to feel at peace with myself. Skateboarding photography came out of me being involved in skateboarding when I was younger. Skateboarding was the initial catalyst that started my whole creative outlet. fast forward 25 years and it is funny how the seed became the tree. After all the paths in life I had been down, I ended up doing some fun shooting with a few folks, and I was right back at being 16. I love skateboard photography for one reason, and it has nothing to do with me or my ego. It was looking through the lens and seeing folks progress at what they love to do and capturing them being them. The realness of that progress, the realness of each individual taking a risk in what they love to do. As a concert photographer and a musician, I know the stage layout and love timing folks on stage to capture them in their element. It is the same with skateboarding. Knowing how, when and where to set up and when to capture. It just brings me joy. The plus side of this is when a person accomplishes some trick they have been brutally beating themselves over is accomplished, it is more than just a photo. We do not keep anything in skateboarding or BMX that is not an accomplished landing. No fakes, no posing. So in the end to see the joy in someone, the gratitude in the community and the joy and love shared. That is why I choose to be creative. Yes it is fun and great to make money at being a photographer or whatever artistic path one can take, but in the end that creative process has led me into others’ lives. It has built some really great bridges. Without all that, it is just pictured. The reward is building friendships, and that builds clientele. Nothing better than word of mouth from folks who enjoy your creative process as much as you enjoy theirs. Like I said, it is all about an outlet for centering oneself and finding joy, for me anyway…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely head to Skatepark of Athens (SPOA). I would cook a meal myself and invite over some pretty rad folks to have a good time. Hanging out is better than eating anywhere, just my opinion. Southern Brewing Company, or Creature Comforts is always a good hang and sipping spot. Maybe even head over to Nowhere Bar for a jam sesh. Hit Hendershots for some coffee and some live entertainment as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All my SPOA family skateboarders and BMX crew. All the bands and venues have hired me over the years. Directly -Paltas, Pulp Swim, Eternal Colors, Pedal Driven Cycles, Randall Bramblett, Perpetual Groove, Full Moon Studios, Way too many to list, but these are the supporters who definitely show me some shine.

Website: rebuilding

Instagram: @nolanterrebonne

Other: I am old school. Use what I need. I really don’t play the social media game. I would rather look folks in the eye than chat on line.

Image Credits
Racy Colbert -over motorcycle, Davis Causey -Guitar, Nick Thurmond – BMX, Perpetual Groove- back stage