Meet Nika Vekilova | Photographer/Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nika Vekilova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nika, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
One of the most difficult decisions I had to make was giving up my first career dream job. I spent my whole life interested in fashion design and had moved to the US to pursue my dream. After 10 years of designing for major labels, I faced a difficult crossroad where work was overwhelming my ability to raise my family. I had always thought that it would be possible to do both, and had the support to do it, but the fashion industry is a tough and unrelenting business. I am happy to know now that I made the right decision and putting my family first was the healthiest and best thing I could of done. When I took up photography, it filled that urge to create, and luckily now I have a work-life balance that makes sense for me and my family.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My first dream of designing clothes started at the early age of 9. I was educated in Istanbul and Los Angeles, then found the start of my fashion career in New York City at the age of 22. After 10 years i left to pursue photography and raise my family.
My love for fashion, art and design seamlessly translated into a passion for Photography. My understanding of color, composition and style, has contributed to a collection of work that I am truly proud of. I love to travel and find inspiration while visiting new locations and capturing beautiful imagery.

I am truly blessed to be able to photograph and work with diverse clients and great brands. Each and every project, continues to evolve who I am as an artist and what my brand is becoming. I believe my upbringing in fashion, my hunger for constant creativity and my easy going personality contributes to the growth of my business. I want and hope that when people work with me they too are inspired by what we create together.

Biggest lesson for me so far is that you can never stop learning. There are so many photographers that I look up to and that I want to learn from, and some are so open about helping and teaching you new methods. To me, this is a fantastic and lucky time to be in this business where we all get to share our expertise with each other.

I am striving to become a visual storyteller. It is through these stories that people are inspired.
Inspiration sparks imagination, which turns into creation of something beautiful and meaningful.
There are great stories waiting to be captured everywhere, everyday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I am still discovering this city. I have only been living in Miami for a few months, and I can’t wait to discover all the wonderful places this gorgeous city has to offer. So far I am a big fan of Key Biscayne , Fairchild Botanical Gardens and Vizcaya Museum and gardens.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my biggest supporter, my husband Raul Celaya, who bought me my first camera and always encouraged me to pursue whatever makes me happy. Of course my parents who gave me all the opportunities in life that allowed me to thrive. Also have to mention my first photography mentor Alan Weissman, who helped me understand techniques and how portrait photography works.

Website: www.nikavphotography.com

Instagram: nikavphotography

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/nika-vekilova