Interview: Photographer Wiktoria Mikoda (Poland)

Tell us something about yourself.

My name is Wiktoria Mikoda. This year I will be 22. I live in Wroclaw my whole life and currently I am studying Human biology. You may think that it was completely not connected with my biggest passion which is photography, however I’d love to connect both of them into forensic profession.

How and when did you get into photography?

I was always keen on nature, as my Dad is. We were travelling a lot together and then he noticed that I love taking pictures of flowers, little animals and landscape. It sounds normally. I’ve heard that a looot of photographers started their journey this way. He gave me my first camera when I was 12, it was an old digital camera from Olympus. 2 years later, a friend of mine told me to start taking pictures of people. I thought “Why not?”, and we started creating looks, finding nice places and the others started visiting me to have some pictures.

What does photography mean to you?

I can say that this is my whole life. It gives me a lot of pleasure when people with whom I am cooperating are very grateful, amazed and just happy when they see the results. It is a form of spending my free time, a way to relax, to work and think creatively.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I love photographing women and fashion, but the biggest pleasure gives me creating fairy tales themes. I am trying to connect these subjects into a coherent whole full of colors. I have plans to work with animals.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I see frames everywhere I go. Every time and everywhere. Even seemingly uninteresting, ugly, little thing can cause an explosion of creativity in my brain. What is more, I often have dreams that inspire a specific session.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Now, yes. But I started creating every detail before session, only a half a year ago. Earlier I was trying to accomplish someone else’s ideas. Now I am more aware. I know what I want, I say what I want.

Studio, on location or both?

On location. In my opinion natural light and nature give the best results and their unpredictability is so intriguing and can create something completely opposite to your plans. It is awesome.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am a photographer with a passion for passion.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Every session is amazing and it’s so hard to chose one I can’t just pick one. However, the most memorable during my photography path, was taking part in workshops organised in Złodziejewo which gave me the biggest motivation to think, to create, to change my equipment, etc. Last year in May, I came there second time to make my biggest dream come true – meeting Margarita Kareva who is my photographic guru. It was an eye-opening meeting.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

I think that Russian, Ukrainian and Polish photographers are the best creators! As I said – Margarita Kareva is my biggest inspiration. I love her style, the way she works and tips which she gave me were so powerful to change completely my artistic perception. I love also creativity of Agnieszka Lorek, Katerina Plotnikova, Anka Zhuravleva, Alex Stoddard and Damian Drewniak.

They also work on location, with animals, nature – these are things which make me happy and feeling inspired.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Since I can remember I use Canon, but my Dad uses Nikon and I have to admit that I don’t understand this “battle” between them. Both are awesome, have pros and cons as everything. I’ve heard that “You are attached to this with which you started working” so Canon is my personal love, as a favorite lens Sigma 50mm 1.4 ART is.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Classical – not to give up and to pursue your dreams to achieve your own goals.

I always thought that it is standard, “cheap” advice but now I see that this is a universal truth.

What do you think of our new magazine?

It’s perfect! Seriously, I am a demanding observer and I like what I see in your new magazine. Photographs delight the eye, the models are so expressive and interviews – addictive. J

It is a big pleasure for me to “be a part” of it.

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