As intimate as diary pages but as epic as love at first sight, Nirrimi Firebrace’s photos inexplicably make us ~feel~. We (obsessively) scrolled downwards, downwards, and downwards again the first time we came across her perfectly saturated snaps. Those caught-in-the-moment-but-not-awkward portraits! The cinematic, surreal locations! Those vibrantly-vintage-yet-modern colours! The emotive models with perfectly wavy beach hair! We could literally go on for hours, but will spare you guys today.

The online community was just as infatuated as we were, and brands like Diesel took notice. At 16, Nirrimi was flown out to The Big Apple from Down Under to shoot a major campaign. Brands like Billabong and publications like Oyster magazine followed suit and hired her to shoot in her signature dreamy way.

Read on to find out how this 20 year old forged her own path through her passion for photography, why she prefers to shoot outdoors, and her very poetic list of things that are inspiring her right now.

What do you do?

I am a young photographer, writer and Mama. My day-to-day is always changing – usually depending on where I am in the world. At the moment, I am living with my daughter and my best friend in a villa in Bali. In the mornings, Alba and I paint, dance, play and swim. We make a big salad together for lunch and her papa comes over to share it. Then I head out to this beautiful bamboo co-working space to edit photos, write and work while snacking on too many raw chocolates. I have dinner with my friends and then go home to tell Alba stories until she falls asleep. Then usually I write some more.

Do you take photographs daily?

I go through phases where I take photos daily for months, and then some weeks I don’t pick up the camera at all.

When did you realize that photography was something you could do for a living?

I always knew I could do anything I loved. Confidence in myself and my dreams has always been my strong point. When I began shooting at thirteen I decided I’d be a photographer. I’ve never had another job.

What do you love about photography? What is your favourite subject to shoot?

It is a kind of consolation against the cruelty of time passing. But it is more than that too, what I love most isn’t tangible. It’s that whole-body electric feeling the moment I take a really spectacular photo. I love photographing people, the way they are on the inside, all raw and soft and human with a world of love and heartbreak and joy and pain in their eyes.

You often work on location – is there a reason you prefer that to working in studio?

It is more real. I think nature is infinitely more beautiful than anything man-made could be. I love chasing the sun, shooting in all kinds of weather, feeling like children exploring the wild. I love helping people see the beauty in nature, it’s more reason to protect it.

Do you enjoy post production on photographs? How did your online shop “The Color Shop” come to be?

There’s an art to colour, I’ve been post-processing since I was a kid really and I still feel like there is so much to learn. I love the challenge. I look up to Matt (Alba’s papa) who truly has an eye for it. We started The Color Shop together after so many photographers expressed interest in our grading and it’s helped our lives and others in so many ways since.

Proudest piece of work you’ve done so far?

My writing, more than anything. Little pieces I’ve written during tumultuous times in my life. Then there’s the raw self portraits I keep tucked away, but when I see them I am brought right back to the way I felt in the moment.

What are the biggest challenges you face with work (in general or one specific incident)? How do you usually deal?

The vulnerability that comes with opening my heart to a world of strangers. My way of dealing has always been not to let it sink in, to keep my feet on the ground. I know the good that comes from my openness far outweighs the bad, especially for others, and that is reason enough to keep giving what I can.

Do you think social media has played a part in your success? Which platform is most relevant to what you do and why?

I grew up with the internet. To me it was just as real a world as reality. Without it I wouldn’t have been able to connect to millions, without it I don’t know where I’d be. My blog is most relevant to me. It’s kind of like a transcript of my soul.

What is your favourite song/album to listen to while you work?

Lately I’ve been listening to Jonsi + Alex while I write.

What is some advice you would give to someone looking to start a creative career in photography?

Shoot every single day, shoot because you’re madly in love with shooting and you can’t do anything else. There are no short cuts, shoot until you’re good and then keep on shooting and then put your work and yourself out there into the world.

What are some visual things that are inspiring you right now (photographs, movies, tv shows, design, etc.)?

Red dragonfruit flesh, the early morning fog over the rice fields, the loud colours of the dragons passing by in street parades. I read every day, but rarely watch movies or tv (ok I confess, maybe a little Game of Thrones). Life is inspiring enough.

And lastly, if you could build a cool girl army, who would be in it?

These are three inspiring girls I’ve befriended this Bali trip. They would definitely be in my cool girl army. Sarah Britton (food blogger who started My New Roots), Elora Hardy (bamboo architect who designed The Green School), and Belle Gibson (world-changer who created The Whole Pantry).