We were thrilled to get a chance to speak with one of our best-selling Fotolia Contributors, Nikolay Okhitin. You can be assured that you've seen one of his images on the cover of travel magazines, advertising glamorous beach resorts or on the websites of tourism boards - they're that good! But enough of us singing his praises - it's over to you Nikolay......

1. Can you introduce yourself, where you’re based and explain a bit your journey into how you started selling your photos on Fotolia?

I live in Moscow, Russia. I began to photograph in 2004, although I always was interested in photography. I knew about microstock in 2005, but I started to work in the industry only a year later. Well, I just couldn’t believe, that I, an absolute non-professional photographer, could earn money with my hobby. But I had a dream for myself: travelling around the world and making photos for a major travel magazine :)

2. How would you describe your photographic style? What has influenced and shaped it?

I came to microstocks as a slightly advanced beginner. And we progressed together. I remember the quality level that was appropriate for me, for Fotolia, for customers needing images at the beginning stages of my journey; It wasn’t very high :) So I grew up as a photographer together with Fotolia and other microstocks with all those rejected works and years of practice. And I still do grow, I don’t think there could be an end for this.

3. What is it about your photos do you think that has made them so popular?

I wish my images could be even more popular :) I believe that there are two factors for the photo to be popular for microstock. First one – the photo should be great, cool, amazing, awesome. Well, there is another question - how to achieve it. And the second factor is luck. Today there are thousands of great photographers, who make millions of great photos. So it is good to have a piece of luck, though it is not always there for you. Sometimes you can do a good job and see not quite as good a result.

4. Has your photographic style developed since you started in the stock industry? If so, in what ways?

My style developed together with my progress. My first instrument was a compact digital camera with a tiny 4-megapixel sensor, which was good for making snapshots. But I loved it. I even have some photos made with it, selling at Fotolia. No, I won’t tell you which of them :) Discovering DSLR cameras and different lenses, new photo techniques (shallow depth of field! WOW!), studio flash, reflectors, filters and so on – every time it was awesome and inspirational. So, when I discovered the opportunity of being a pro with microstocks  of course my style developed and changed, due to working in this industry along with many other professional photographers.

5. What, in your view, are the key ingredients to creating a fantastic photograph?

To take a fantastic shot, you will need fantastic light. And also a muse, inspiration. Add some experience and, once again, luck. If I knew an easier recipe, my portfolio would be full of masterpieces, but most of my works are far away from this :)

6. Your images may not be considered typical ‘stock’ photos in that they portray some unique themes/characteristics and an original style. How do you come up with these and whom do you think they relate to the most in terms of clients?

Well, I think my portfolio is otherwise too ‘stock’ if I don't try and include some unique themes :) And I try sometimes to make it more alive, if you know what I mean, more unique. I didn’t succeed yet, but I keep trying. Why do I need this? Well, it is not about the money only. I just want to make something beautiful sometimes. And if there is demand for this, I like it the most.

7. What is your favorite piece of photographic equipment that you use?

I love my Nikon D700 camera. It is old, may be not very fast and modern, but I just love it :) I have more recent and professional camera, with bigger sensor, but I still use D700 a lot.

8. What are you favorite images from your Fotolia portfolio and why?

Many of my favorite photos were made whilst travelling. What I like the most is the beach with the ‘right’ water color, ‘right’ cloud at the ‘right’ sky at the ‘right’ time of day. When you get it all, that’s what I call luck. Examples include:

 

Take these parts at the evening and get a great sunset

But sometimes, even in studio I can create something that I really love, like this one

9. What places have you visited that are have photographic poignancy in your mind and what places are on your ‘wish list’ to photograph?

Almost everything is photogenic for me when I travel. Especially when the weather is good :) I’ve seen many tropical beaches in the Seychelles, Maldives, Philippines and so on. Many high mountains and big cities. I've driven many roads and there is a lot more to see. So my wish list could be quite big. Right now, in several hours, I have a flight to USA, where I am going to visit New England states and I hope to witness the autumn foliage in it’s natural beauty.

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

Well, it’s easy. Before I became a full-time stock photographer, I had a daytime job in different insurance companies. This is still a nightmare for me, cold sweat is guaranteed when I have a night dream that I still work in office :)

A big thank you to Nikolay for taking the time to answer our questions (only issue is we're now desperate to go on holiday!). For more of his work check out his Fotolia portfolio and you can find him on Facebook!