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TALENTED photographer Nicole Jopek is snapping up contracts in the highly-competitive fashion industry and believes her upbringing, plus the advice and tips she received in Bahrain helped her develop the skills needed to succeed.
The former British School of Bahrain (BSB) pupil has picked up awards for her powerful portraits and compositions and now based in the north of England her talent as a photographer and ‘retoucher’ is in huge demand.
“Fashion photography is what I specialise in, and I love everything about it – from the planning and brainstorming pre-shoot, to all the stress mid-shoot, and the retouching – my favourite part – post-shoot,” the 22-year-old told GulfWeekly.
“Aside from the photography itself, my teams – consisting of hairstylists, make-up artists and models – are so close-knit that it’s wonderful to be able to call them friends and not just colleagues. I love that I’m in a career that doesn’t feel like work!”
She says her success has been partly made possible thanks to a collaboration with ‘fantastic Bahraini photographer’ Ali Riffai of Ali Photography.
Nicole explained: “I was fortunate enough to be able to have some work experience with Ali. I was out in Bahrain for a long two-month summer vacation.
“Ali’s previous studio was located just outside my compound in Janabiya and he gave me the opportunity to watch him on countless shoots for leading clients such as Batelco, Al Zain Jewellery and Toyota, to name but a few.
“Even when Ali and his team were so overworked themselves, they still gave me the time to explain what they were doing and why – something I’ll never forget.
“We still keep in touch and I try to visit him whenever I’m in Bahrain. He’s a great guy and an incredible photographer and I’m so very grateful for his time.”
Ali took the image of Nicole, featured, left, on this page.
Now based at Al Ayam Media Centre off Janabiya Highway, Ali, 41, who was raised in Manama, is an acclaimed commercial and editorial photographer.
His passion for photography started in 1996 while still working at a petrochemical company and his career took off eight years later when advertising agencies started to notice his talent.
That’s when he took his first leap of faith and quit his day job to pursue the challenge of creating engaging, contemporary portraits and captivating, dramatic composites … and 500-plus assignments later, Ali, remains one of the region’s most sought-after professional photographers.
He is delighted to have played a role in helping Nicole achieve her dreams. “Nicole contacted me for a summer job to assist me and to learn about the job,” he explained. “I took a look at her work and, even at the time, I was surprised by her ability at such a young age.
“I said to myself: ‘this girl knows what she’s doing’. She was clearly passionate about photography and had great ambition. She joined our team in the summer of 2013.
“She was energetic and eager to find out everything about our operation and showed great ability from day one.
“I knew back then that she would have a great future ahead of her. I’m very happy to see that her dreams are becoming a reality.”
Nicole has returned to her Yorkshire home town of Huddersfield with her mum, Krystyna, 50, a housewife, and brother, Robert, 19, a mechanical engineering apprentice. Dad Andrzej, also 50, is still based in Bahrain as a process analyser consultant supplying on-line measuring equipment used for optimisation of natural gas and petrochemical plants.
“I arrived to Bahrain from the UK at a very young age due to my father’s work and stayed there until I returned back to the UK in time for my GCSEs,” explained Nicole.
“Looking back I can honestly say I had the perfect childhood. I’m extremely appreciative of where I was brought up, the people and different cultures I’d met along the way and the overall living experience. Bahrain has really shaped the person I’ve become today, and for that I am very grateful.”
She studied at the BSB up until Year 9, and returned to the UK in 2007 to finish school and take her GCSE examinations at Huddersfield Grammar School, before completing her A’ levels at Huddersfield New College.
She moved on to university to study for a photography degree and graduated in the summer of 2014. During her time at university she was awarded the coveted ‘Associate’ status with the British Institute of Professional Photography.
This training is considered among the most rigorous in the world when it comes to photography. She was also presented with the Dean’s Award for Best Portfolio in Practice at the University of Huddersfield and rounded off her three years with a 1st Class Honours Degree.
But she started developing her photographic talents at a much younger age.
“I had become really interested in digital art as a whole art-form at about the age of 11,” she said. “I started playing on Photoshop and developed my own website with my best friend at the time showcasing all the pieces of work I had produced and created.
“After choosing to study photography at college I soon found that all this early practice went hand-in-hand in producing and retouching my own work – and from there on I knew this was what I wanted to do.
“My career has continuously developed over the past six years and continues to do so every year and I’m really quite excited to see where it ends up.”
A major assignment involved a shoot for hairstylist Rick Roberts as part of his entry into the British Hairdressing Awards. “In the UK this is the most prestigious hair event of the year and thousands of hairstylists and hairdressers always strive to make the final,” said Nicole.
“Last year I shot the hair collection for Rick and our photos made it through to the grand final on the night. It was so incredibly rewarding.
“I have three more lined up this year so fingers crossed they all make it through to the finals!
“Choosing my favourite photograph is like a mother choosing her favourite child – it’s impossible!
“Although I love my fashion work, my hair and beauty photos always seem to remain my all-time absolute favourites – especially my photo of Sarah, the blonde girl with the red lips, that’s one I’ll never get bored of looking at!
“As I’m constantly shooting all the time and churning out new work I always have something new and fresh to love. I guess that’s what’s so exciting about my job – you never know what your next assignment will be.”
Her fashion imagery is considered to be ‘clean, neutral and minimalistic’ according to clients.
“When shooting, because I work with creative people that I’m already so close with, the atmosphere on the day is always a friendly one,” said Nicole.
“I think it’s so important for your model to feel comfortable and it’s always a compliment when they leave the shoot saying it was their ‘favourite’ assignment. All I want at the end-of-the-day is a great selection of finished shots and a really pleased team.”
Her message to any young keen photographer reading this article is clear and precise. “My advice for a photographer wanting to start up is: don’t give up!” she said. “It’s not going to be easy straight away – it’s going to take time to get to where you want to be … but if you have the passion and determination to succeed, then there is absolutely nothing to stop you from achieving your goals.”
Check out Nicole’s website www.nicolejopek.com or via email info@nicolejopek.com. Instagram is @nicjopek and any other social media links can be found through her website.
