Meet Nikita! Kelowna is his stomping grounds, as he was born and raised here. Nikita is a professional photographer who loves to go the extra mile and take big risks for the best shot!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Such a hard question, variety is the spice of life ;) But I do love spending time with my brother, mom and dad!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Would say Motovida. Love how they've built something more than just a motorcycle repair shop.
Describe yourself in one word.
Driven
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Marrakech for sure. Everything about it is amazing, the people, landscape, culture, food... I think their way of life is such a different one than the one I lead in Kelowna.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Climbing with a crew at any of the crags around Kelowna, and bringing along my 35mm camera to shoot!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
It's gotta be missing my Mechanics of Material engineering final last year. Thought it was at noon, but it was at 9am so everyone was leaving as I was arriving. 10/10 do not recommend.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I'll leave out the specifics but a mutual friend in a similar industry was the victim of some less than fortunate circumstances that cost them basically their livelihood. Despite these hardships, they kept hustling and pursuing the same goals despite losing nearly everything. Seeing the blind dedication they injected into every damn day was so amazing to see. You never know when you develop the momentum that sustains you. In the face of the unknown they worked and overcame that inertia stopping them.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was really fortunate to have some adventurous parents so when I was 9 and my brother was 7, our family biked around the IJsselmeer which is Holland's in-land sea. Absolutely unreal experience, although if I were to do it again, I think I'd have a much different perspective and appreciate the history a lot more.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I love to help fellow students with car troubles. I've learned a lot from my trials and tribulations through ownership unreliable modified cars. Using that experience to help other students with car problems, when thats the last thing they would like to deal with around finals, is always rewarding!
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
As an Engineering Student, I'd love to see a greater emphasis on a holistic approach from large corporations on environmental sustainability.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
There are some amazing rooftops around Kelowna to sneak onto to watch sunsets from unconventional angles.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I already see so much happening in Kelowna that is inspiring like small businesses collaborating in unique ways. If I had to see something happen, it would be to a bridge between the UBC Okanagan campus with employers in the Okanagan that hire young professionals. Kelowna is such a great place to live and so many students think they need to move to find work after graduation. It would be amazing to grow the younger demographic in Kelowna and startup incubators like AO (Accelerate Okanagan) amongst others are already leading the way!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It's like Goldilocks porridge of big city hustle meets small city vibe.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I drove 1450km in one go with the help of about 12 Americanos. That was fun 3.7/8 would recommend again.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Generally Instagram! (@nikita_shoots)
What is the name of your business/organization?
Nikita Shoots
Why did you get into/start this business?
Photography has always been a passion. After experimenting in so many different areas (corporate, event, product etc.) I feel I've felt my niche in wedding photography.
What is the goal of your business?
To capture adventuresome couples that share the same love for life, in a raw and authentic style.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Drinking too much espresso/Redbull. Natural self-induced motivation is way more powerful than the artificial caffeine-induced version.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Wouldn't change a thing (except for my tendency to buy old Japanese cars)
What do you always find yourself saying?
Safety second, Just gonna send it
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
People are defined by their actions, not their thoughts, words, financial worth, or anything else.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Sam Kolder is a really inspirational individual and adventurer. He has built a path in life for himself using his passions (of which everyone should) that is really inspirational.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's like the Godfather; you gotta keep it in the family. Support locals and you're really supporting yourself.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I hate this questions because I always have something thats a work in progress. Can we come back to this in 5 years?
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I'd like to shoutout my mom, Joanne Taylor, to help her out at the home stretch of her PhD!
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Ricky at Ikon Adventures
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I love doing audacious things with audacious people. If anyone reading this has an audacious adventure they've been wanting to execute, find me on insta and I'll bring along my camera!
Also, I never thought I'd love spotify as much as I do. Been listening to a lot of Whethan and Glass Animals lately.
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