Photographer Elina Nomade

—Are you photogenic?

—Me, myself? No, only for selfies!

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—It matched my approach to photography .- a diary photography style with moments and emotions. But the first, first time was because my friends were sad that their friends who were getting married couldn't hire a photographer, and I was just out fresh graduate hungry for any kind experience in photography, that I came to my first photo wedding as a gift by their friends. They put money together to hire me, but the best part was actually hearing the comments people had after seeing my photos! The happily married couple loved the candid shots as they did not expect me to be there!

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—The sense of artistic taste, have your signature style.

—Do you love traveling?

—My middle name could have been "nomad", that tells a lot, yes, I enjoy it.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The reason to be on the move (for a reason I am called a nomad) and meeting new people.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—The process between "taking photos of a wedding and delivering pictures". The editing process can be the most difficult for me, because it might not look like it, but I am very self-critical and pedantic when it comes to my art-work/pictures. So, I can end up with already super high standard edited images, but still think they are not done. Otherwise, I really fast with my visual eye notice "ok, this is done", but on some pictures I might work for hours and hours until it gets to the point I think – YESSSSSS. So, this sitting down by computer is the hardest.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Capturing the love in a moment.

—How do you handle criticism?

—If it's relevant, sure, I will back down with my ego, but if irrelevant, hey, let's be nice?`As Warhol predicted 15 min fame, hope his thought that we all should be nice to each other could also come true.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—They change the same often as H&M seasonal trends.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—They need to understand what they value the most in photos.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Please, don't take out your smartphones to take photos.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—The light.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—The generation who were born in the 1980s.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Moments.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not really, but I am very aware of what kind photography I won't or can't do due to the technical needs. At the moment I focus on portraiture/artistic landscape, so, I don't have lenses for the style of geographic or sports photography. If someone wants nude shoots – sure, yes, after all I graduated from FINE ART photography, and 90% of my classmates have done self-portraiture as nude or people. No problem.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—The ones I consider as my photography idols.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—During wedding photography, I worry if I also capture enough the standard moments – portraits with the family, the guests.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—That feeling when I am in my sense of freedom, on my adventure bike rolling downhill and feeling the fresh summer breeze and realising how f-awesome is freedom.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—From the Moomins the nomad dude who always went away before winter. And Jessica Day from "The new girl".

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Not a single person, I want to impress and inspire myself, yet the most driven I feel from nature (I'm an INFP so its natural for me to be a nature fairy).

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—In happiness, how happy and satisfied you are with your life. If you have the longing&missing feeling, then you are not doing the right thing.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Respected. I don't care to be likeable, but, please, respect me as a human being, as a woman, as a creative entrepreneur.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—Feeling I am not good enough.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—With my travel experience, I have learnt the art of travel light. But the must-have is camera body+50mm lense and at least one nice dress. Why? Because to capture the moments I live and I love wearing dresses.

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—No, I have a list of things I need/want, but I am very strict with the photo shopaholic vibe.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—You gotta understand your camera technically too, so, after a few months I remind myself this info by watching technical youtube videos. After a while, the knowledge settles in and I start using the same settings, so reminding info is a good way to achieve something new again.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—CELEBRATE LIFE IN ANY CONTEXT YOU FEEL TO. JUST CELEBRATE AND LIVE THE LIFE WITH CREATING MOMENTS TO REMEMBER.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—The need of self-expression. I am too lazy to pain, to do art, that's why I turned towards photography.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—More strict.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—Finish my graphic design studies not photography.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Connect with nature hobbies.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—The soft&sensitive side of me. I protect myself with hardcore attitude.

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never really, it's a part of growing better.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—Women in the kitchen and men at work? Yes and no. If a man supports his wife not working, being a stay at home mum and letting her to explore her creativity with a hobby, sure, it works, but it's not for everyone. Every woman is different and the same as every couple is different. Everyone should find their own balance than worry about what is the standard in society.

—Do you make friends easily?

—if I want to yes.

—Where would you like to live?

—Somewhere down under there across the globe from Europe.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—Too many.

—Is there life after marriage?

—Isn't life starting after marriage as a new beginning?

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—If I tell it now, it wouldn't be funny anymore.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—I love both, but I am often a dog sitter, too. Which means my countryside friends leave for their vacations to South, I stay at their beautiful homes getting all the cuddles from their wonderful dogs. I would want to have both, I grow up with cats and dogs:) at home.

—The best thing in life is:

—FOOD and sunrises.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Cold summers.

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Documentary travel movie about a solo traveller.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Often that means... cycling into the countryside.