If you are here, you want to know a little bit more about me!
Try the life, while it tries you!
We never know what to expect on our journey through life. We often think that bad things happen only to us, but that’s not true! Yes, many challenges can try to break us and drain our motivation, and it can be incredibly difficult to get through those tough times. But we must never give up.
t took me a long time to realise that even in the darkest moments, we need to focus on the positive. By doing so, we can truly appreciate the small, beautiful things in life.
Sometime on that same path, I have understood we have to try many different cakes to choose the right one for any further situations... It sounds a bit complicated, right? What cakes am I talking about?! Well, I want to tell you that we cannot find our right job or hobby, unless we try many different. In my case, I explored a lot of things I thought I’d love, but the ones that truly resonated with me were the ones I initially rejected. One of those was photography!
The year that offered me INSPIRATION - 2022
In 2022, life offered me a few trips, and the first one was to my native country, Bulgaria. My home region is Pirinska Macedonia, a region between three different mountains—Rila, Pirin, and the Rhodopes—located in the southwest part of the country. During that first trip, I had the opportunity to revisit many locations in northern Bulgaria, along the Stara Planina mountain range and the Danube River. Those stunning places made me want to save my memories there for later, and the answer was simple—taking pictures with my phone. Actually, I was never interested in such a thing... but then I realized I was getting really pleased with my shots, and taking pictures with my phone became a routine.
Ten days later, I traveled for a project in Antalya, Turkey—still one of my favorite places! This project is really a story for another time, but what interested me was the beauty of the place, the culture, emotions, and the most important factor—an Estonian photographer who motivated me and planted the idea in my mind that I needed to buy my first camera...
A few months passed after that project, and December brought a new trip—a trip to a new place for me: Cornwall, England! Cornwall had, has, and always will have many things to offer me! In short, it became my most desired destination to visit every time, even though I had already been there many times! Nature, people, culture, places to photograph, friends—all these things combined create long-lasting inspiration, motivation, and calmness like nothing else! Until my first visit there, I had forgotten the idea of buying a camera, but after that English paradise, I went back to Bulgaria and started researching photographers and reviews for my future camera!
The Official Start
In the begging of 2023, finally I bought my first camera. Here comes the official start! My new camera and my regular travels (thanks to the previous 2022), gave me motivation powerful enough to do my best and start learning photography!
Path of Learning
In 2023 I combined many travels, learning from professionals and learning from my mistakes. During this phase of the path I realised photography for sure is my cup of tea! I had no reason not wanting to be better, except few difficulties and obstacles in my personal life that shook me really hard!
Motivation
Sometimes all my motivation is ruined by events from my personal life or periods in which I don't reach certain level of creativity that I wanted... But there are some things that can bring me back to life!
The first one, I can tell you, is a visit to my favourite place - Cornwall! In short, Cornwall is a county that is home to the warmest climate of England located in the southwest of the country. It is the place where nature and people live together in harmony, and is known as the wildest and greenest county of England. All those features and English accents work perfect for me, as one real nature and UK lover! Sun and clouds for morning photography, exploring new places during the day, cup of tea and walk through narrow paths on the Cornish hills during afternoons, and time with friends at home in the evening. So, find your place which you can feel like your home!
I can say Cornwall is a place forever in my heart, but that doesn't mean I don't travel to any other locations. Italy, Portugal and France are few of my favourites, as well! So as the second factor I bold the travel activity! It's quite nice to see how different nations live differently, learn about their history and culture is just another passion of mine. Regular walks and photography help a lot! Here is important for you to find supporting activities which to practice while photographing!
The third one is mountaineering or simply go and find new or previous nature places. That can help me a lot with my mind-clearing and inspiration. In conclusion, for factor number three, I say - chilling and clear your brains from negative thinking!
A warm cup of English tea can always help me, too!
In my book, practicing the things I love, brings me inspiration for new projects and photos and gives me that needed motivation. It's important to add that all awards I received motivate me, too!
Path to Professional
After my first year as beginner photographer, I understood photography cannot be my hobby anymore and I decided to enroll myself in a BA in photography. Right now I am still studying it in New Bulgarian University in Sofia, Bulgaria.
What I photograph the most and how?
As you already know, my favourite genre of photography is the one connected with nature! Photographing landscapes never scares me even if I have to get up at 5am, go midnight in the forest while listening to the wolves, go out in -26 degrees Celsius, go in snow, rain, get wet or muddy, or risk my gear in heavy wind and storms! Actually thus, I feel more interested in such events filled with adventures! For sure, I love to go in some ordinary conditions, as well - foggy mornings, sunsets and etc.
It is really hard to tell my most loved season for shoots, because everyone has something to offer, but it's mandatory to be a place or happening interesting enough for me!
Achievements
With this picture 'The Golden Eye of Tuscany', I won 'Photographer of the Month - June 2024' title by Canon Bulgaria!
With this picture, I won 'Photographer of the Month - December 2023' title by Canon Bulgaria!
Debut Exhibition
January 2025 began with debut exhibition of my best pictures, currently on display in the International Art Gallery in Bansko! You can visit the gallery, more about that HERE!
Every picture is in A4 to A1 size range, printed on high quality paper and framed in wood! On the back, there is attached signed certificate with short story and QR for more details!
Gear
As my first camera I started with Canon EOS 2000D and few lenses, thanks to which I learned a lot!
After upgrading my gear I've stoped on Canon again but not a DSLR anymore. Now I use one of the greatest mirrorless cameras Canon EOS R6 Mark II, combined with Canon RF 50mm 1.8 IS (very good for portraits, documentary, travel and landscapes), Sigma 24mm 1.4 Art (very good to excellent for astro and landscapes) & Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary (very good for wildlife and sometimes for landscapes and abstracts).
My backpack is Shimoda Action X30 Black (hight quality backpack, size perfect for travel but big enough to collect everything I need, weatherproof) and my tripod is SIRUI 7A, 48-166cm.