The Danger of Wanting More: Finding Happiness in Fashion Photography | S1E8

In this episode of the Fashion Host Podcast, Vlada Roslyakova and Ines Crnokrak sit down with Nico Ramirez, photographer and founder of the New York-based creative agency East of Normal. Nico shares his inspiring journey from studying business in Colombia to directing shoots for NARS, Harper’s Bazaar, and Hublot. He breaks down the controversial differences between shooting traditional fashion models versus social media influencers, why you shouldn’t be afraid to look silly on set to get the perfect shot, and his golden rule for keeping his ego out of commercial work. Plus, Nico reveals why he’s not obsessing over “what’s next” and how a motorcycle trip through Sri Lanka inspired his best work. 00:00 - Intro: Meet Nico Ramirez, founder of East of Normal 02:44 - Growing up in Colombia and blending business with creativity 08:29 - Shadowing giants: Transitioning from videographer to photographer 14:00 - The controversial truth: Influencer models vs. traditional models 18:46 - Posing tricks: Why looking silly creates the best photos 23:36 - Building “East of Normal” from an iMac to a full agency 28:06 - The danger of wanting more: Why he parked the car to enjoy the view 35:20 - Dealing with rejections and the problem with instant gratification 38:08 - Hostile clients and the “East of Normal” 9 Commandments 48:27 - How to keep your ego out of commercial client work 54:06 - Motorcycle trips in Sri Lanka and finding true inspiration 57:39 - Casting real moms and newborns for Frida