Choppin’ It Off
When Nick approached me about documenting a very important moment in his life, I did not think a haircut would be it. After a couple of chats about the idea and direction, we set a date for June 24th 2024. We drove up to the Marin Headlands and picked out a battery and parked and the documenting began. We talked about life lately and motorcycles and vulnerability. Thank you, Nick for allowing me into your space at a very pivotal time in your life and trusting me to document it.
Lauren: Who is Nick Filip? Where is he from, what does he do….who IS he?
Nick: I grew up in Vallejo, moved around a few times and find myself in my hometown once again. Some people know me as Sketchy, but that’s a story for a different time. Professionally, I am an International electric tractor mechanic, and previously I restored Datsuns and built vintage race cars. I’m just me I guess, always down for whatever needs to happen.
L: Do you remember how we met?
N: I do, initially it was via instagram, I think some of your work was reposted on a film page and I was very taken with your images so I had to follow you.
L: And we reconnected after all those years!
N: You started working at the ‘dawg! I still laugh thinking about rolling up on that first Monday and having you and Handsome [Greg] come running out to say what’s up.
L: How long had you been growing out your hair when you approached me about the shoot idea?
N: I had been growing my hair for about 7 months when I asked if you would be interested in photographing this idea.
L: What does your hair mean to you?
N: My hair has always been in flux between styles, and it is usually one of the first things people notice because I typically have a big Mohawk. I think hair, or the lack of, portrays an attitude of its own, separate of the rest of the costume one wears.
L: What made you want to make the big chop?
N: I had undergone a huge change in my personal life, and the rules state whenever something like that happens, one must cut their hair in a drastic fashion. So that’s all I was doing.
L: Why was I the one you wanted to bring this idea to life?
N: Prior to the shift in my life, we were at that motorcycle show and you took a picture of me in front of the wagon. I was enamored with how you captured the moment and for once, it felt good to be in a photograph.
L: How did you feel the days leading up to the shoot?
N: Certainly a little nervous, being in the frame and not behind the camera is always a little unnerving to me. I tried focusing on getting all of the materials needed to make the shoot smooth and successful.
L: How did you feel as we drove up to the spot in the headlands?
N: I love the headlands, but there was a layer of anxiety and melancholy.
L: How did you feel when we took the before photos?
N: I felt a mash up of excitement and some real sadness. Excitement because we were going to execute a vision, but sadness because it lent a very somber realness to my life changes.
L: The “during” process photos?
N: We laughed a lot during the shoot which helped immensely. You did such a splendid job giving me the space to feel how I was feeling and to work through each step of the process during the shoot. It was the most comfortable I have been while being out of my element.
L: The after photos?
N: The sadness was washed over with a feeling of lightness. It’s as if I was giving myself permission to keep moving forward.
L: How do you feel now, having had all of the hair shaved off, and now having it grown back a little bit?
N: The lightness has persisted, especially in the late summer heat. I have since started cultivating a Mohawk and it’s already getting long.
L: What is on the horizon for Nick Filip?
N: Well I’m typing this on a flight to Belgium to go fix some tractors. We’ll see where the wind takes me and how much hair I come back with.
He indeed came back with LOTS of hair.