The Interview with Leslie Heaney

Episode: Nick Mele: The Slim Aarons Of Our Time

Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Leslie Heaney
Guest: Nick Mele

Episode Overview

In this in-depth conversation, Leslie Heaney sits down with acclaimed photographer Nick Mele, known for his evocative images that channel the spirit of society photographer Slim Aarons. The episode explores Nick’s circuitous journey to his career in photography, the influence of legendary event photographer Patrick McMullen, the importance of authenticity and access in building a brand, and why humor has become central to Nick’s unique photographic voice. Mele’s career is a testament to resilience, continual self-reinvention, and finding distinctiveness amid the democratization of photography.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Finding Photography: Early Influences & Hesitations

[02:54 - 06:24]

• Artistic Roots: Nick’s passion for art began in childhood, initially through drawing. Photography’s immediacy eventually drew him in.
• Education: He took classes in high school, then attended a 1-year program at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York as a post-college experiment.
• Parental Guidance: Nick shares that his parents’ encouragement to “do what you love” (04:15) led to a lack of urgency and direction in his 20s. “I gave everything about 15-20% effort. And so nothing ever quite stuck.” (04:55)
• Midlife Pivot: At 30, facing financial uncertainty with a baby on the way, Nick decided to recommit to photography—with full effort this time.

2. Lessons from Patrick McMullen: Personality in Photography

[06:24 - 13:41]

• Working with Patrick: Early event photography jobs under legendary photographer Patrick McMullen gave Nick hands-on exposure but not long-lasting fulfillment.
• Key Takeaways:
  • “The business of photography isn’t just being able to take good pictures. It’s how you interact with your clients, it’s how you interact with the people around you.” (11:04)
  • Patrick’s presence at parties—“He was not a hired photographer. He was just a guest who happened to have a camera.” (09:46)
• Cult of Personality: Nick realized the value of cultivating a memorable persona at events. “I would try and dress even better so people would notice me … people would come up and talk to me.” (12:36)
• Humorous Admission: “I would get a drink from the bar because I’m actually terribly shy … for the first however many years, I was shit faced at most of these parties.” (12:51)

3. Developing a Distinctive Voice & Style

[14:22 - 20:16]

• Initial Pursuits: After recommitting, Nick took “any job I was offered” (14:22) but always knew he wanted to focus on elevated lifestyle and fashion photography.
• Geographic Choices: After a challenging stint in LA, the family settled in Newport before ultimately moving to Palm Beach—a decision that proved pivotal.
• Authentic Aesthetic: His look—a blend of luxury, nostalgia, and humor—was especially well-suited to Palm Beach amid a renewed fascination with the Slim Aarons-esque resort lifestyle.
• Market Insight: “The barrier to entry to being a photographer is practically gone … You have to have a voice. You have to have a point of view. You have to have a brand.” (18:23–20:16)

4. The Role of Humor and Access

[21:07 - 28:22]

• Evolving Approach: A mentor once suggested Nick “pull back a little bit” in his close-up portraits. This led him to realize that the surrounding environment could tell as much story as the subject.
• Family’s Role: Facing a slow start, Nick staged whimsical or irreverent scenes with his family. These tongue-in-cheek portraits, laden with social commentary, resonated strongly with audiences.
• On Access: “My competitive advantage was access. I had access to people and places that most people would never get to see or photograph.” (24:22)
• Humor as Signature: Nick’s photos often feature self-deprecating scenarios—such as children misbehaving in high-society settings—injecting relatability into images of privilege.

5. The Allure of the Unexpected: Animals, Whimsy, and Real Stories

[31:01 - 34:27]

• Animal Cameos: Nick is known for including unusual animals in posh environments (monkeys, camels, alligators), reinforcing the eccentric spirit of luxury communities and referencing stories from his own Newport upbringing (“Doris Duke had three camels on her property in Newport, Rhode Island.” [31:38])
• Technical Note: On hiring animals: “We rented an alligator for $2,000 an hour. The most expensive model on set.” (32:31)

6. Books and Local Color: A Newport Summer

[34:27 - 41:47]

• Love Letter to Newport:
  • Nick and writer/decorator Ruthie Summers collaborated on A Newport Summer, blending 15+ years of images to present Nick’s personal vision, not a definitive guide:
    • “This isn’t like the guide to Newport. This is my love letter … how I experienced Newport.” (35:07)
• Shaping the Book: The project was organized to follow the arc of a Newport summer (June–September), adapting content to the seasonal mood.
• Unique Perspective: The book combines interiors, portraits, candid moments, and environmental details—highlighting the “behind the hedgerow” side of Newport society.

7. Expanding the Brand: Collaborations and Lifestyle

[43:01 - 48:53]

• Recent & Ongoing Projects:
  • Collaborations with Society Social and Brunswig & Fils, designing furniture and creative campaigns.
  • “I’ve really been … shifting my focus more towards the books, but also fine art and really selling my prints and really being able to create these scenes and then sell them.” (46:18)
  • Notable showings at Bergdorf Goodman and other retail partnerships.
• Vision for the Future:
  • Nick aims to evolve beyond photography, building a comprehensive lifestyle brand, expressing interest in wallpaper lines and product collaborations.
  • “I’m not just adding a face and a name to these collaborations. I’m adding an actual creative output to it.” (48:07)
  • Upcoming fine art collaboration with Lily Pulitzer integrating their vibe and clothes into signature scenes: “We’re kind of aiming that towards the end of this year, early next year, and kind of pushing out those prints together as a team.” (48:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Finding Purpose:
  “If I could give any young person advice, it’s pick something, really give it 100% of your effort … if you find it’s not working, you don’t like it, you can switch lanes.” (04:31, Nick Mele)

• On Patrick McMullen’s Magic:
  “He was not a hired photographer. He was just a guest who happened to have a camera.” (09:46, Nick Mele)

• On Building a Brand:
  “The barrier to entry to being a photographer is practically gone … you have to have a voice. You have to have a point of view. You have to have a brand.” (20:16, Nick Mele)

• On Humor and Realism:
  “I always wanted to show it with a little bit of a wink and a nod and a little tongue in cheek … it’s all a little ridiculous. It’s fabulous and it’s great, but it’s all a little silly.” (24:22, Nick Mele)

• On Book Philosophy:
  “This isn’t like the guide to Newport. This is my love letter … how I experienced Newport.” (35:07, Nick Mele)

• On Creative Collaborations:
  “I can create or endorse a product or collaborate on a product, but then I can also imagine the campaign and shoot the campaign.” (48:06, Nick Mele)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:54 – Nick’s early relationship with art and first forays into photography
• 04:31 – Reflecting on the value and challenge of choosing a path
• 06:32 – Early career with Patrick McMullen, lessons learned
• 11:04 – Realization that photography is also about personality/client service
• 12:51 – Nick’s admission about drinking to overcome shyness at parties
• 14:22 – Recommitting to photography at age 30
• 18:23 – Market shift: why photographers need a distinctive voice
• 24:22 – Access and authenticity as Mele’s competitive edge
• 31:38 – Animal eccentricity and its place in Nick’s work
• 34:27 – The making of A Newport Summer and Newport’s hidden world
• 43:01 – The Society Social collaboration and expansion into lifestyle branding
• 46:18 – Moving toward fine art and building a brand
• 48:53 – Teasing an upcoming collaboration with Lily Pulitzer

Episode Tone & Style

Easygoing, warm, and funny, with candid anecdotes and a strong sense of place. Nick Mele’s voice is self-deprecating yet insightful, offering advice to young creatives and reflecting honestly on privilege, resilience, and creativity.

For more on Nick Mele’s photography, books, and collaborations, visit his website or follow his Instagram for a look into the playful and artful world he’s built.