We caught up with Eleonore, one of France's and Fotolia's most successful stock photographers who has already established a big presence using the Instant Collection, to gain an insight into her work and her work methods.

Hi Eleanore, thanks for talking to us. You’ve been a successful contributor for Fotolia for a while now. Can you introduce yourself for any readers who might not be aware of your work?

I have been an exclusive contributor for six years now. I enjoy taking photos on subjects that matters to me such as my family, my trips, my cat, my everyday life. It allows me to enjoy what I have, we could say it has a therapeutic effect on me. My work pictures my intimacy. There must be in my vision something universal which touches the buyers: a look of a child, waiting in an airport, tasting a wine for example...

What made you get involved in microstock photography at the start?

I was curious to know how the visual communication worked. I get involved in microstock photography and it allowed me to enhance my creativity and my imagination staying independent and free. It became a game to my children. I felt stimulated to progress. I find it interesting that when someone buys my pictures, it gives them a new meaning and tells another story with them.

You’ve been a prolific user of the Fotolia Instant app for Android? Why did you use this instead of the traditional digital camera method?

Instant fits my way of taking pictures. I always carry my camera even if I don't use it. A lot of my photographs are taken outside, in the moment, during a trip. I have never been really focused on the technical aspect and it sometimes fails me. These last few years I moved to smaller and smaller cameras in order not to be bothered by the weight or the size. With “Instant” I feel free now to just take my smartphone!

How has your experience using the app been?

It is a different way of uploading, more itinerant. Instant is computer free and very easy to use.

In the age of social media, selfies, and hash tags, is the Fotolia Instant app the future of stock photography?

In fact, I think the use of Instant app is going to get bigger. Smartphone wide angle optic quality is amazing, the images are more intimate, more spontaneous, more natural and more affecting.

Your portfolio contains a lot of ‘human’ photography. Are people your favourite subject?

Yes it is, I love taking pictures of people but the ones I like. When I pick the photographs I will upload, I feel like I am spending time with them, with their emotions, the moment we spent sharing those emotions is again on my mind.

Subjects I'm not emotionally involved do not inspire me.

What is your inspiration? What drives you to do this?

Bonds between people, life, wine, and nature. The balance I feel coming from them. My portfolio evolves with me.

I don't plan in any way my shootings because it doesn't work for me. And all of a sudden, while I'm walking with my husband, we draw a heart on a field with our shadows and most of all we spend a fun and lovely time together.

I also like sometimes when I find an old, forgotten shooting. I see them with a new eye, I change the framing or the colors in order to make them new and present.

White wine or red wine?

As a matter of fact, I moved last year to live in Burgundy. It is a beautiful region. I passed a wine tasting formation. Other senses are stimulated but the sensory process feels the same to me, it is really motivating!

A new set means new inspirations sources.

Got any advice for those looking to make a commercial success from smartphone photography?

Every single part of life is interesting, try to give a new look on usual thing.

Simplicity frees creativity.
The pictures of our teenagers with those new tools are the very proof of this.

We absolutely loved chatting to Eleonore and thank her for taking the time to answer our questions. To see more of her beautiful photos check out her Fotolia portfolio