Behind The Lens

“I try to stay true to myself; and what separates me is my willpower. I don’t sleep.”

Patrick Neree

A burning intensity churns in the soul of the man behind the lens; torpedoed through the camera’s eye, it manifests into the subject. The result, branded by the iconic ‘N’ symbol, is the work of Patrick Neree –  photographer, director, and artist.

Born and raised in Rosedale, Queens, by way of Far Rockaway, Patrick Neree’s story begins as his high school tenure ends. The former class clown recalls being an avid Jordan sneakerhead during his adolescent years, filming his sneaker collection being his first exposure to creating visual art. After spending a sole semester at a local college, life checked in, and Patrick settled into a management position at Sears. Soon enough, the monotony and restraint proved to be too much, as Patrick glumly recalls: “I felt trapped…my life wasn’t going anywhere.” Picking up his first camera in early 2009, a Nikon SLR that took months to save up for, the Patrick Neree saga began.

Googling, researching, and attending seminars at NYC’s famed camera giant B&H, Patrick held his first photoshoot in the Spring of ’09. Hitting up local hotspots, industry events, and clubs, Patrick began snapping away, leaving behind a trail of branded business cards and flashing lights. Stints shooting nightlife in the city as well as local fashion shows furthered his reputation as a responsible hand, and an unorthodox take on networking fueled his momentum.

“My mission was to seek out all the heavy hitters in the city, and do photoshoots with them,” he recalls. Promoters led to models, models led to artists, and, eventually, to superstars. “I used to think it was impossible to meet up with any celebrity – AT ALL – but when I started to see them on a regular basis, I realized just how accessible they really are.”

The hustle so perfectly executed led Patrick to the set of Fabolous’s ‘Body Ya’ music video, and his first big break. His simple yet descriptive photos became the lead behind-the-scenes imagery, and led to a name recognizance usually reserved for photographers long-established. The success of the images begot a manic paranoia within Patrick, forever marching towards his goals.

Paralleling the rise of Twitter, Patrick’s phoenix-like growth as a respected & sought-after photographer was fueled by an adamant demand for photos, a progressively persistent & consistent work ethic, and an inherent belief in one’s self and vision. Over the past two years, Patrick has photographed some of the world’s most elite celebrities – from Will Smith and Pharrell to Kelly Rowland and Super Model Jessica White. Only 25, Patrick reveals his passion for work ethic: “Efficiency. Just get it done. That’s what drove me to be so good, so fast. I would research day and night, I wouldn’t sleep.”

Describing his style as “refreshing, with an editorial feel”, Patrick cites his famed photographer Derek Blanks, video director Hype Williams, and legendary workhorse Will Smith as his influences. Using a style that emphasizes preparation, and minimizes Photoshop, Patrick expands on his style: “I always shoot to print. Don’t take a shot, and think you’ll ‘fix’ it in editing. Get the shot, now! The composition, the lighting…what does the subject represent? It’s about the story you can illustrate; how can you draw you audience in – it’s not about Photoshop. It’s all about seeing the photo, before you shoot it.”

Between photoshoots, fashion shows, weddings, concerts, and all else, Patrick has also found time to devote to filmography, consistent with a life of constant growth. Soon to bring his talent to film, Patrick understands that the toughest part about his situation is also the most vital: “Competition. That’s what motivates me. Staying competitive – that’s tough. I can’t get food with yesterday’s pay. I try to stay true to myself, and what separates me is my willpower – I don’t sleep.”

 For more information on Patrick Neree, please visit patrickneree.com - PatrickNeree@NereePhotos.Com -

by Nisarg