”’Nicholas Beatty”’ (born January 29, 1979) is a cultural documentary photographer, and travel writer living in the Pacific Northwest.
===Career===
Specializing in Hispanic and Latin American Studies, Nicholas Beatty has covered Dia de los Muertos celebrations in the Patzcuaro region of Mexico, as well as the state of Oaxaca. Beatty offers a glimpse into the distinct culture and tradition of Mexico and Latin America. Wandering from city to village, the images he obtains portray an insider’s view of the locations, and people most tourists never have an opportunity to experience. Whether representing the explosive color and amazing vibrancy of the fiesta, or the pageantry and symbolism of Semana Santa, his photographic exploration of the human experience will fascinate even the most well-seasoned traveler.
===Projects of Note===
In 2005, Beatty began his documentary work on Dia de los Muertos, photographing the ancient ritual in Mexico. The resulting creation of the website, www.DiadeMuertos.net offers hundreds of resources and photographs available for research purposes. His goal was to bring the celebration into a new level of familiarity with an international audience. Recognizing the growing interest of Dia de los Muertos in the United States, he has collaborated with festivals and event planners to provide detailed information about the celebration for the general public. A detailed listing of festival and celebration sites in the United States can be found on the Dia de los Muertos website.
Beatty’s Dia de los Muertos photography has been the subject of exhibition in Portland, Oregon in several galleries, as well as the nationally acclaimed annual Dia de los Muertos exhibits at the Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene, Oregon, and the All Souls Procession in Phoenix, Arizona.
His photography will be featured in his publication, ”Dia de los Muertos: The Heart and Soul of Mexico”, to be released in Spring 2009.
In early 2007, Beatty began his documentary work on Semana Santa in Guatemala. The dramatic and colorful Holy Week celebrations have drawn thousands to Antigua, Guatemala for many years. Early work from this series has been included in an ongoing display at Six Days Gallery in Portland, Oregon.
===Other Projects===
In early 2007, Beatty, a passionate advocate of animal rights and welfare, was determined to find a way to help bring national awareness to the plight of abused primates in both medical research and the “pet” industry. Coordinating with Oregon Primate Rescue, an organization dedicated to providing lifetime care to unwanted, orphaned or crippled monkeys that originate from private owners, from government agencies, and those retiring from a life of research.
Beatty’s photo essay, Primate Rescue In America, sheds light on a very important and hugely ignored issue in the United States. In conjunction with his photo essay, he created a campaign to lose weight and raise money based on taking pledges for every pound of weight he lost. The campaign, Pounds for Primates, raised $4, 000.00 and brought national attention to the work of Oregon Primate Rescue and its founder, Polly Schultz.
