Chaos has been a major factor in Columbus-based photographer Nick Fancher’s life, work and art.
Psychedelic blurs and streaks of light along with a sense of kaleidoscopic surrealness infuse his portraits of celebrities, musicians, artists and models. “I let that element of chaos direct me; it keeps it exciting for me,” Fancher says.
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He recently turned the garage of his Old North Columbus home into his office and photo studio. The space is jam-packed with books, albums, CDs, VHS tapes, plastic toys and framed prints of his work, as well as pieces from other artists. Plants, another passion of Fancher’s, range from large, lush houseplants to a pothos whose vines grow intertwined in the rafters.
“Every era of my life that felt cohesive is represented,” Fancher says, looking around his studio. “The space came alive as I became more alive and happier.”
He added glass blocks where the garage doors once were to help insulate and add an element of natural light. A loft provides office space for his wife and creates an option for top-down photography. A rolling backdrop gives him even more flexibility for his work.
“I’ve always been scrappy—it’s the challenge that I welcome,” he says. “The element of chaos lets me home in on what works.”
This story appeared in the May 2026 issue of Columbus Monthly. Subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Photographer Nick Fancher’s Columbus Studio Embraces Chaotic Influence
Reporting by Tim Johnson, Columbus Monthly / Columbus Monthly
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
