happiness is not
only a dream.
My name is Karolina Stus. I’m a Polish photographer/artist living on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand specializing in creative, ethereal photography.
I have also been known to dabble in other mediums outside photography using more organic methods such as wood, alternative processing, and natural materials.
Growing up without many material things in a country fighting communism, I’ve created memories that have warmed me over the years.
I believe these experiences built the foundations for my soul, and the way I look at the world today.
visit my fine art galleryMy fine art editorial approach creates timeless, luminous, and cinematic images. My goal as a portrait photographer is to look past the face we present, to capture something deeper. Sometimes this results in a bright, eye-catching image, and sometimes a more poetic study of the face.
I’m in love with everything that is old, odd, or different; I find these things beautiful. I transform these old things and give them new life. My house is full of these pieces. I connect strongly with this quote about the Japanese art of Kintsugi:
“When the Japanese repair broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something has suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful.”
This is how I live my life and the way I work as well. My purpose is to fill all the broken gaps with gold and to show that inner beauty.
My work has been featured in many photography magazines and received recognized photographic awards.
Achievements
- Master of Photography I ( Dist.), New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography
- An accredited professional photographer
- 2023 NZIPP Commercial Photographer of the Year
- 2020 NZIPP Expressive Photographer of the Year
- 2020 NZIPP Highest scoring Expressive category entry
- Representative of the NZIPP 2016 Highest Scoring Region (Wellington)
