What makes a fantastic portfolio on Fotolia is variety. Particularly when it comes to sequential narratives; telling a story by images. Fotolia Contributor Mila Supinskaya is a great example of a Fotolia Contributor whose work exemplifies this. We were lucky enough to speak with her this month to find out more about her journey into the world of stock photography and where it will take her next.

Mila: I'm 25. There is no exact place where I'm based, as my job allows me to travel all the time. Currently I stay in Bali, but I'm never sure where will I be next. I'm married, and the most frequent male model you'll see in my portfolio is my husband.

When I initially uploaded my first batch to Fotolia many years ago, I didn't really know how to do stock photography, I didn't earn much and just dropped the idea of selling my photos. After a long time I realised that following required categories and photographing deliberately for stock purposes and of course a lot of photoshoots every month pays off - it makes it work well.

I'd described my photographic style as everyday portraits. I need to control every object and every facial expression, so can't really photograph people in natural circumstances. But I succeed in faking them - I find places and models and bring them together. Many people like playing this game: pretending to be a baker, or a waiter, or a farmer.

I think something that makes my photos popular is maybe the emotions my models express? I always tell them what to think about, what to imagine to make their expressions genuine. To succeed in stock photography you must accept the fact that you can't limit yourself with the artistic portraits expressing your own feelings. You have to think about a potential clients and topics they require. Think where the future slogan will go, when you crop. Think how to include into your photograph as many meanings as possible, so for instance, it might be downloaded by both business owner and psychology blogger.

The advantage of photographs over an illustration is the fact that whatever your idea is - the photograph is affected by small random events happening in real life around. Notice interesting details, unexpected light effects you haven't planned - and use them. Thus the image will be fresh and natural. Another important thing is to make sure all the parts of your composition work together for one meaning. For example, it's better ask your model to be serious if there is a cloudy sky in the background, and alternatively to make her smile if there is a warm sunlight.

 

Sometimes I find some weird places and unique things. Like a frog farm or a cat shelter, or a camel safari. It is an advantage of travelling. It's easier to compete among strange shots rather then among other professional and studio business photographs . Recently many clients prefer not to use usual stock photos, as they want to express themselves in a unique way. Some even consider using smiling people on a white background  unsuitable for modern design.

Mostly my images are bought by travel agencies, as far as I'm concerned, and no wonder!

I love my 50/1.4 lens. With it - you even don't have to know how to photograph; your shots will be very atmospheric anyway :)

Some of my favorite images from your Fotolia portfolio are the below:

Lovely day spent with my friend in a new beach club in Bali brought me this sunny photo. I love to relax and work at the same time.

This family and their white house on a rice field in Bali is really as light and relaxing as it's depicted

Butterfly flew into the room unexpectedly, we didn't plan this portrait

The model, my husband, complained about the heat and inconvenience of sitting on a sand with the laptop, but now this photo is one of the most popular in my portfolio.

For me the model is much more remarkable factor in photography then a location. Many of my business photos are created in McDonalds, snow is made from the sand on a beach, many beautiful and "remote" beaches are photographed in crowded places. There are some attractive young women to shoot in my "wish list" though.

•        If you hadn’t of become a photographer, what do you think you would have done instead?

If I hadn't become a photographer than I would have instead definitely done something that can be done with the eyes. Apart from photography I do graphic design and I like drawing, these could substitute photography. But I'm glad I don't have to make this choice.

 

Thank you so much to Mila for taking the time to speak with us. To discover more of her work check out her Fotolia portfolio as well as her Facebook page and website.