Nicholas Mellen

Nicholas Muellner (born 1969) is an American photographer, writer, and curator whose multidisciplinary work occupies the intersection of image and text. His creative output is characterized by a unique blend of autobiography, abstraction, photojournalism, and fiction. Through these diverse modes of expression, Muellner frequently explores themes of repressed intimacy and the complexities of human connection.

Much of Muellner's work is set within the geographic and cultural landscape of the former Soviet Union, often focusing on gay men as his primary visual subjects. His approach to the photobook format has garnered significant critical acclaim. His 2011 publication, The Amnesia Pavilions, was recognized by Time magazine as one of the best photobooks of the year.

Muellner continued to receive international attention with his later work, In Most Tides an Island. Published to critical acclaim, the book was shortlisted for the prestigious Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation's PhotoBook of the Year award in 2017. Through his publications and curatorial projects, Muellner remains a distinctive voice in contemporary photography and visual literature.