Celebrating Creativity with amaran
Each month, we showcase a creator's journey, creative process, and how they use amaran products to bring their vision to life. Explore their stories and get inspired to push your own creative boundaries.
MEET THE CREATOR
JOSHUA NAI
Joshua Nai is a second-generation Chinese-Australian photographer and creative based in Melbourne/Naarm. Deeply rooted in the visual arts, his work explores the intersection of identity, light, and story often through the textured lens of film.
What inspired you to start your content creation journey?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved filming and taking photos. It wasn’t until after high school that I began joining local community photo walks, where the people around me inspired me to take photography more seriously. I learned so much from these events and the people I met, which eventually motivated me to start directing my own shoots.
When did you realize that content creation was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
I wanted to show people that you don’t need to be a professional or have a studio to create fantastical, surreal images. I wanted to prove that anyone can do it. I never had access to a studio or the best equipment - all I had in the beginning was one battery-powered light, a camera and a dream - and to me that is all you need to get started.
Who or what influences your content the most?
I've had many influences over the years, but my biggest inspiration is Willem Verbeeck. As a film photographer myself, I find the way he captures light through film truly inspiring. His passion for capturing moments and his dedication to film photography have deeply influenced me.
What has been the biggest challenge in your journey so far?
The biggest challenge I faced as a creator was balancing my full-time job while consistently shooting and posting content on social media. As my channels grew, I felt pressured to post regularly. I worked full-time, 40 hours a week, and spent my evenings planning, editing, and creating content, while dedicating my weekends to portrait photography. I juggled full-time work and content creation for about two years, but because I never gave up and poured everything into my craft, I am now able to be a full-time content creator, doing what I love!
Have you ever faced creator’s block, and if so, how did you overcome it?
A creative block will always be a part of the process, but one way I overcome it is by revisiting media that has inspired me in the past or exploring new content to spark fresh ideas. Whether it’s social media, films, or photography, immersing myself in different forms of creativity helps reignite my own. This method grounds me and allows me to process my ideas more clearly.
What’s been your proudest moment as a content creator?
My proudest moment as a creator was receiving my first few comments from people saying that I inspired them to create art. I never imagined my work could have that kind of impact, so hearing these stories of others wanting to create because of me truly warms my heart and motivates me to keep going
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out?
One piece of advice I would give to someone starting out is to just keep shooting. No matter how many bad images you take or shoots you think you failed, persistence is the real key to getting where you want to go. I was 19 when I started shooting seriously, and it wasn’t until I was 22 that I found some success. It takes time, but if you use that time to perfect your craft, you’ll eventually get to where you want to be. I admit I still have a long way to go, but because I never gave up I see a future in what I do.
Joshua Nai's
Favorite Gear
The amaran Pano 60c instantly impressed me. Its full-color output gives me incredible flexibility on set, whether I’m lighting a subject or building atmosphere. As someone who relies heavily on colour and mood in my work, the amaran Pano 60c feels like a natural extension of my creative toolkit.
Check out more of Joshua Nai's work.
Want to be featured as a Creator of the Month?
Share your work using #amarancreators, and show us how you create. We'll be on the lookout!
