Nivia Herron Hernandez, SVACE course advisor, has always been fascinated with cameras and photography. When she was just six years old, she was given a disposable camera. Nivia was excited to take photos of her family members and events where friends would gather. She even asked people to pose for her. At that young age, her passion for photography was ignited. She was especially delighted by the process of waiting for the film to be developed, something she still appreciates today.

While Nivia loved photography, she didn’t consider it as an option for a profession. She studied business marketing at the College of Staten Island, moved into anthropology, and maintained a minor in photography. Little did she know that those three disciplines would come together throughout her life.

At the age of 19, Nivia returned to Guatemala, her country of origin, to learn more about her roots. There she met indigenous women, whom she was compelled to photograph them and tell their stories. Through her lens, Nivia wanted to learn more about their lives and experiences—to provide a window for those who view her work. Thereafter, Nivia traveled to Guatemala annually to further her relationships with the remarkable women she had met.

It was when she registered for a digital photography course with the Division of Continuing Education in 2017 that things shifted for Nivia. She began to gain confidence in herself and her work. Finally, she was able to declare that she was an artist, something she feels really good about today.

Recently, Nivia has expanded into curation. The idea came to her while walking in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. She noticed a coffee shop with great space but no art on the walls. She asked the owner if she could use their shop to exhibit photographs. Soon after, she approached other spaces, and she continues to curate art at local venues.

In the last few years, Nivia has been able to call on her business education, her anthropology studies and her love of photography. Today, she describes herself as a curious photographer who likes to bring an element of healing and empowerment to her subjects when she photographs them.

Working as a course advisor is a full-circle experience for Nivia. She said, “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work at SVACE; a place that really helped me gain confidence as a photographer.”

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