KAROLINA STUS – M.NZIPP

Please tell us about yourself, what is your background and how did you start with photography?

My passion for photography has evolved since my gorgeous family arrived in New Zealand in 2012. It soon became a creative outlet, a way for me to tell stories. When we arrived here, my older son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. He understands the world more easily through images, as words and language are something abstract to him – so we communicated using visual images. Since then I’ve totally fallen in love with photography. I’m a self-taught photographer.  

What inspires your unique storytelling? 

People are my inspiration, their faces and their stories. Everything that is around me inspired me to create. While I photograph people, I love to find their story, and to connect with them. My purpose in my photographs is to fill all the broken gaps with gold, and to show your inner beauty.   

What do you like most about photography? 

It is my way of talking to others about my feelings and emotions. My way to communicate with people without words. I’m not good with words.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos? 

I’m a person who enjoys the process of learning and the journey itself. So I would not change a thing as all of it helped me to create the person who I am now. 

How would you describe your style?  

Fine art, painterly, dreamy. I like to use my skills to show my clients how beautiful they are. Take them somewhere special, take them somewhere they have not even dreamt about yet, let them feel unique. Let them feel like a Queen or King.

Do you have any upcoming projects?

I’ve been working on one whole this year. It wasn’t a proper photography project but towards that. I decided to build my new studio and I spent throughout 2020 helping my builder to build my dream studio. It has been a hard journey with lots of new skills learnt on the way. but it was worth it. Shortly I’m going to have my own space where I can spoil my clients and make them feel like a superstar. 

What has been your most popular picture and why do you think that is?

Probably my self-portrait I made after my dad passed away and it was my first time entry at Nikon Iris Awards in 2016 which scored 98 if I remember well and got Gold with Distinction. 

Do you spend a lot of time editing your work? 

Yes, my work has a painterly feel to it, so each portrait requires quite a lot of time. 

What are your other passions? 

I’m an artist as well so I need to create. I like to work with wood, encaustic wax, paper, fabric and dyes. I like to corporate all those techniques together.   

Why did you join NZIPP?

I’ve been looking for other photographers. I felt lonely, needed some friends in the same field and NZIPP helped me achieve that.