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 gallery

My 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
  • AFD Accredited Children’s Photographer
  • 2020 NZIPP Expressive Photographer of the Year
  • 2020 NZIPP Highest scoring Expressive category entry
  • Representative of the NZIPP 2016 Highest Scoring Region (Wellington)