Photographs published in National Geographic

I am more than satisfied with 2014. Despite having very little time, I managed to create numerous stories for the nature programme ‘Osoon’, and a considerable amount of photos also made it to print. Among other things, photographs were published in National Geographic, and what is more, in the international edition, not just the Estonian one. My surprise was all the greater as as many as two different photos were published. This is a great honour, especially for a photographer who is still at the beginning of their journey. 

The first photo, a mushroom composition, was scheduled to be published in the magazine as early as December 2013, but whether the photo would be published then or a little later depended on various factors. For example, whether enough advertising space was filled and whether the photo suited the other stories and photos being published. The photo appeared in March 2014. I must admit that by the time that moment arrived, the excitement had gone. I had simply already got used to the idea. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to flick through the magazine and find my own little story in there too. 

I was asked for a second photograph in June 2014. I was away on a short trip in Norway at the time, but I replied to the emails at the very first opportunity. These are the kinds of emails that one should reply to immediately. Not that I wouldn't normally reply at the first opportunity. The photo I was asked for featured old hair rollers in various sizes and colours. What makes this photo special is that you don't very often come across such a sight. The model this time was my grandmother. Let it be said that I don't usually capture such moments, but on that day the right light, mood and even the rollers in her hair were somehow inspiring. It worked for the photo editors at National Geographic, too. So much so that the photo was published as early as October 2014.

You might think that from such a point there is nowhere further to reach? Fortunately, that is not the case. It still bothers me that neither of the published photos is actually my so-called bread and butter – nature photography. So I can only hope that in the future the editors of National Geographic will also consider the nature moments captured by me to be worthy of publication. Time will tell what the future brings.