the portrait photography of Nashalina Schrape

“I inherited the need for fairy tale and magical imagery from my mother. she would tell me the story of growing up in east Berlin, post WW2, with barely any food, no heat and only a couple of toys. she had one illustrated children’s book which she looked at all through the nights. By focusing on the beauty and the pixie dust, she was able to cope through a rather bleak period through her life. for myself, growing up, she fed me a steady stream of wonderfully illustrated children books. I seek that salvation in every one of my images.” Nashalina Schrape was born in west Berlin. her family continues to live in east and west Berlin. growing up, she came to America. all of her adult life she has lived in New York city where she continues to be most at home with all the different cultures and beautiful faces. parts of her heart will forever live in east Berlin but her soul if free-est in the Gotham city. Nashalina has a master's of science in art psychotherapy and occasionally uses photography with her pediatric clients. otherwise, she uses the camera to express herself and showcase faces, lights and dreams. You can also see her Flickr portfolio here.