Meet Maria Nikolaeva | Photographer, Director, Editor & Set Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Nikolaeva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Like every person following their dream, you want to give up when things get to complicated! What keeps me going is the people around me, friends and other artists remind me of my goals and remind me of my journeys that took me to where I am today. In my time of climbing the success ladder, I realized if you make good connections and build a community, the community will support you and uplift you through your whole success. I do not believe in giving up, giving up means every set you took to get where you are, was a waste! If something isn’t working, take another path to get the same result that you intended. Every great artist works with what they have and make it into something wonderful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s hard to say what sets me apart from other artists, because there are so many great artists! But I would say, I’m really good at hearing my team out, I want my team to also put their input into the project so they feel like it’s their project that they are proud of as well. The most exciting part of an artist is meeting other creative people, I’ve learned so much from other artists that I could never have thought about doing! If you only do what’s in your mind, then you will eventually repeat yourself. That’s why it’s always important to talk to other artist and ask what inspires them, many artists have such a crazy creative mind and how they process art. Where I am professionally is not where I want to be, I have too many big goals that I’m trying to reach EVERYDAY! With having big goals and no guidance through the process, it was never ever easy. I sometimes lay awake at night thinking “why am I even doing this?” But something in me always get me up and continue on my journey. The one big lesson I’ve learned is you always need a “home base” a person or a place that you could always go to when things become to overwhelming.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well…I moved to the LA area when the pandemic hit. So it has been hard to explore ever since, LA is a big city! I have not explored in very long because I’m to busy with making art. BUT! I would go adventuring with friend and we can be both surprised with what LA has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I appreciate every person I meet and talk to. But of course thank you to my friends and artists that agree to work with me that believe my vision and the process, even when the process looks strange at times.

Instagram: Nik.olsm

Other: Tik Tok: @Nik.olsm

Image Credits
Instagrams: @nik.olsm @vora____ @m00nmakeup @kxtydid @kell.does.hair @imanandajade @natrenelle @steffon.official @taylorthelight @renomuren