Photographer Tells Tales Through His “Gypsy Project”

Photographer Tells Tales Through His “Gypsy Project” ~ By Wendy Mitchell

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” 
― Ansel Adams

For Danbury photographer Nic Bongartz, the above Ansel Adam quote rings true. “I may not be the best with words but I can tell a story with my pictures. You don’t need words when you’re taking pictures. You can feel the emotions and you can feel the atmosphere,” he said.

The stories he tells are captured through the lens of the Nikon camera he carries everywhere he goes. Traveling more than most 25-year-olds, Nic has led a sort of gypsy lifestyle, telling tales through his photographs– stories of old, abandoned warehouses, tales of beauty in the stillness of a moment in nature and stories of life and love- all frozen in time in his images.

“I never want to miss a moment that can be frozen in time forever so I always carry my camera wherever I go,” Nic said.

Originally from Redding, he began his career in photography at the tender age of 8-years-old, helping his parents Monique and Patrick, who worked for Images of America, a graduation photography company. “I learned from my parents and I learned through observation,” he said.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Nic began working for Grad Images in 2007, photographing high school and college graduations all along the East Coast. Photographing 2-3 events every day, his travel territory spans from Vermont to Louisiana, and as far west as Ohio.

“I traveled all along the Eastern seaboard and have seen a lot, but there’s not much artistic in graduation photography. There’s more creativity in what I am doing now. I’m happiest when I have a camera in my hand, it doesn’t really matter where I am.”

After returning from one of his assignments with Grad Images, last month Nic was inspired to begin a solo endeavor, The Gypsy Project, a collection of photographs he has taken in his many travels across the country and beyond. Traveling to 25 of the 50 states, as well as Germany, Nic said he finally felt he had enough images to start putting up a portfolio. His photographs range from landscapes to still life, from portraits to candid group shots and everything in between. Traveling with his camera allows him to document his journey and tell stories through photographs.

“When I travel and then come back to this area, I go into the same places and see the same people sitting in the same seats talking about the same things. When they see my pictures they can sort of experience a little of what I did in my travels,” he said.

Bringing his camera into those same bars, he said, is a way to preserve memories and people after they are gone. In addition to photographing people and parties, Nic has been able to mix his adventurous side with his art. His favorite locations to shoot are at Skye Peak at Killington, Vermont and also Bittersweet Trail, a scenic blue ski trail.

With over 9,000 views on The Gypsy Project’s Facebook page in one week, word of mouth is quickly spreading about Nic’s unique brand of photography. Using layers and filters; The Gypsy Project’s images are real and raw.

“I like to take people out of their comfort zone to get a good picture, not a cookie cutter picture. I don’t like to put myself in a box as far as style goes.”

Nic Bongartz graduated from Joel Barlow High School in 2007 and from Norwalk Community College in 2009 with a degree in General Studies. He photographs portraits, events, graduations and much more at affordable prices.

For more information on The Gypsy Project, please click here. To book a session with Nic call 203-313-0730 or email nbongartz@post.com  

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All photos in gallery were taken by Nic Bongartz, (c) 2012 The Gypsy Project Photography.