Brian Nice is a world-renowned photographer, athlete, and Traumatic Brain Injury survivor. He has had two brain bleeds as a result of a condition referred to as cavernous malformation in the pons area, caused by an abnormal capillary that slowly hemorrhaged. Most people do not survive this condition, but after two surgeries he’s still here.
For thirty years Brian has been a professional photographer, shooting advertising and fashion in the US, Australia, and Europe. He also has a deep, heart-felt passion for landscape photography. He was an avid runner, surfer and wind surfer, and loved the physical challenges and excitement of these activities. Brian now lives in Garrison, New York.
In Fall 2013, Brian embarked on a cross-country road trip to photograph the American landscape as he sees it: through the eyes of a traumatic brain injury survivor.
In August 2012, his first solo exhibition after his traumatic brain injury opened at the Garrison Art Center.
“Nice was at the top of his craft when tragedy struck. A series of traumatic brain injuries befell him. The last one happened when he was on a commercial shoot several years ago, when he blacked out and was given a slim chance of living. . . . After numerous surgeries and on-going therapy, with a family that never left his side, Nice decided it was time to get back in the game. Although he now gets around in a wheelchair, nothing gets in his way of living out his passion for photography. He found the courage and inner strength to continue his fine art photography with a completely new focus.”
—Tim Greco, The Putnam County News and Recorder
In 2009 Brian created a book entitled Rescue Tails published by Simon and Schuster. The inspiration for this was his dog Buster who was losing his eyesight and was helped by the Humane Society of NY. The book is a photographic collection of celebrities with their beloved dogs, and the proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Humane Society of NY and Much Love Animal Rescue of Los Angeles.
In 2008 Brian and his artist father, Don Nice, collaborated on a project called Meltdown. They travelled to Greenland to photograph and paint the disappearing icebergs. Their work was exhibited at Pace Editions in midtown Manhattan.
Meltdown Exhibition:
http://www.artslant.com/ny/events/show/21143-meltdownthe-icebergs-of-greenland
Meltdown Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D9a54lkiRo
Brian Nice featured on The NYTimes Lens Blog: