Niki Colemont
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Back in 2016 I was walking around at my girlfriend’s granmother’s house. I was daydreaming and not paying much attention, but suddenly a squirrel came very close to me, maybe a metre away.
“I stood still while the squirrel did his thing. He wasn’t scared at all. I knew I wanted to get closer to these animals, so I bought a feeder for the tree and filled it with walnuts. Then I waited each day for the squirrel to come and eat.”
I was spending all my free time observing the squirrels trough a motion detection camera
and saw how they opend the feeder. I soon realised that I need some equipment to capture these lovely animals
so on my 30th birthday I bought myself a nikon d5200 with a sigma 150 - 600 zoom lens
and a camouflage tent to capture my first images of the squirrels and thats how it al started
2. Where did you study photography?
I have never followed a course or scool. I just made many mistakes and learned from it, thats how I sort of learned photography !
Photographing a subject it's a feeling that I have I know from formal mistakes what I need to do to get the shot.
Trail and error made me the photographer that I am today
This should be my own quote :p
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first wildlife shot in 2014 was a shot from the great tit with nesting habbits flying out of the nest searching for food
4. What equipment do you use?
I had borrowed the nikon D3100 and a Nikkor 18-300mm zoom lens from my parents in law
I did not had my own equipment
5. What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to achieve in winning more photography contest and to share my knowledge to other photographers
I also hope to inspire younger photographers to keep photographing and to find there subject just like had found mine
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
I had inspired a friend in starting to do wildlife photography and also buying the same lens as I have now
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
I think the drama that I had in my personal life inspires me to showcase more happiness in my pictures
I have xperience so many bad things that I want to inspire people to see the brighter things in life
sometime I try to capture the darkside of nature but I also try to capture moments of joy and positivity It depends on my personal mood and share them with others. There are many ways to spread positivity and inspire others, and I think i have the potential to do so
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Captivating, Funny, Creative.
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the European Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Winning a photo contest great way to boost my confidence, and to motivate me to enter more contests
there is no better way to get recognition in the photography world !
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 European Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
When choosing my pictures to enter for the european photography award, it's important for me to consider the theme and criteria of the competition. I want to make sure my work aligns with the competition's requirements and stands out from other entries.
I love to select unique and creative photos that showcase their individual style and perspective. By doing so, I can differentiate myselve from other photographers and I hope to increase my chances of winning. !
11. How has winning an award developed your career?
I think I have more convidence in showing the world what I have to offer ! before I started to enter photography I wasn't sure that my photography wouldn't be good enough
12. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Máté Bence, Heikki Put
13. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Try stepping out of my comfort zone
14. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Understanding the technical aspects of photography is definitely important if you want to take great photos. Exposure, aperture, and ISO are three key elements that you should understand.
In addition to these technical aspects, it's also important to understand how your subject behaves. Whether you're photographing humans or animals, knowing how they move and react can help you capture more spontaneous and natural-looking photos.
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Having a clear vision or concept for your photographs can help you create a cohesive body of work and stand out from others.
Lastly, taking enough time on your subject and being patient can allow you to capture the perfect shot. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.
16. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
To stay in a receptive space for new information and knowledge, it's important to have an open mind and be willing to learn. Keeping up with industry trends and advancements can also help you stay ahead of the game. Upgrading to a mirrorless system camera can definitely provide new opportunities for photographers, as they offer many advantages over traditional DSLR cameras, such as lighter weight, faster autofocus, and improved video capabilities.
17. Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
If you want to become a photographer, try not to be scared of making mistakes. Even if you miss a shot, there will always be a next time to try again, which is why you shouldn’t give up on trying to reach your goals. You can start small in your own garden or house, experiment with ideas. Every object can be interesting.
