Niko Villegas
Niko Miguel Ma. Gempesaw Villegas was born, and grew up amidst a life of art and photography. He grew up and studied AB Communication Arts at the Ateneo de Davao University. He started photography in college as an elective in school and moved on to work for local dailies and websites. Niko decided to broaden his horizon and moved to the United States in 2006 to pursue a second degree, which was a BA in Photography at The Art Center Design College, Albuquerque, New Mexico. After finishing his second degree in 2008, Niko moved to New York City where he landed an apprenticeship with Ace Lensman Xander Angeles. He spent almost two years in the Big Apple honing his craft even more. He took up fine art darkroom film photography in school, while shooting digital side by side. Concentrating on portraiture, fashion and advertising photography, his major influences and inspirations apart from his Dad are his mentor Xander Angeles, Jerry Ghionis, Chase Jarvis, and Richard Avedon. Currently, Niko is based in Manila, Philippines and works for Edge of Light Studios. He shoots for the country's top publications and major advertising campaigns. He also endorses Phottix Photography equipment, Lowepro bags, Wacom Cintiq tablets and is the youngest X Photographer in the Philippines.
