Want My Job? Ming de Nasty, photographer

What is your current job title?

Photography/Bone collector.

What does your job involve?

I get asked to document events. I am documenting Walsall Silver Thread Tapestries project launch at the new art gallery in Walsall. Over the years, I have taken portraits of musicians, actors, exhibitions.

What's great about your job?

I get to do lots of different things and meet new people.

What are the bits you don't like or find challenging?

Doing administration is hard work, plus selling yourself is not easy because I am self-taught, and there is always a element of doubt.

What are the highlights of your career to date?

One of the highlights is photographing portraits of boxers at their boxing club. This was an exhibition that toured across the UK.

How did you get into an arts job?

I was member of punk band called Curse of Eve. I had a 35mm SLR camera so I would photograph other friends' live music gigs. I was given an opportunity to have three photos in an exhibition around women in Birmingham. After that I decided to go self employed and had a studio in Balsall Heath for band photos and family portraits.

Have you also worked outside the arts?

No, I haven't worked outside the arts because the arts are most important to me.

Can you describe your biggest challenge so far in your career?

I find that the biggest challenge is holding on to my creativity while doing commissions for other people.

How did you overcome it?

I found others ways of being creative such as painting, bone sculpting and taxidermy.

Do you have any advice for young people interested in doing your kind of job?

Make sure you stay creative, keep true to yourself and don't lose your spark!

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• Image by Ming de Nasty

For more information on job profiles, visit Creative Choices, a website filled with careers advice for people who want to enter the arts.