Artist Bio

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I often get asked what my name, Mimika, means and being of Greek/English origin all I can tell you is what my Greek grandmother says it means - green fingers. Gardening is not my strongest trait (my poor plants never make it passed the second week) but capturing heartfelt memories is definitely what I'm best at. Call me a sentimental romantic!

Born in South Africa in 1976, just nine days after a political drama put my country on the world map, I'm happy to say that I've enjoyed the experiences of light and shade on this journey we call life. Having been schooled in South Africa, and photographically trained in England, it has afforded me the opportunity to appreciate different cultures, languages and points of view. If we were stuck in an elevator together I could amuse you with my different accents and I could ask you ''how you're doing'' in English, Afrikaans, Greek and Zulu hoping to pass the time!

Growing up all my family have been ''memory makers'' capturing time in some shape or form. I distinctly remember as a seven year old child watching the silent movies of my father's childhood growing up in Sudan, that my Papou (Greek for Grandfather, now 96 years old) proudly displayed on the white sheet he hung on my Yiayia's (my grandmother) kitchen. This habit carried through my childhood when my father would make me the designated filmographer on family holidays with his ''state-of-the-art'' betamax video camera.

My mother has also been snappy happy always capturing my first smile, first walk, first ride etc. My Mom's passion for storytelling had been instilled in me from a young age and what we cherish the most amongst our possessions are the faded family photographs of my great-grandparents and other family memories spanning the range of 100 years. I was tickled pink to discover recently that my great-great-grandfather on my mother's side was in fact a well know photographic artist in England in the 19th century. Thanks goodness for photographs that document our colorful history!

After trying out a few different career paths, I finally realized my calling when I became a mother. From the moment my first child opened her eyes, I was convinced how important it is to capture the fleeting precious moments that are gone in the blink of an eye. My camera became attached to my hip and I had the joy of capturing every smile, every word and every step my daughter and my son have taken in the last 11 years. My family and I moved from South Africa to England in 2001 whilst I was pregnant with my second child, and again I have had the joy of capturing every special memory my son and daughter have given my husband and I. They are truly our greatest achievements and blessings from God!

News Flash: Working with pregnant Moms and babies makes one broody and I'm proud to announce that I am expecting my third child in July 2010!

Having had six years previous work experience in the website design, public relations, and the small business management industry; I decided it was time to get away from sitting in front of a computer and pursue my dream of turning my long time ''hobby'' of photography into a career. Once my children were old enough to go to school, I made a decision to follow my dreams of starting my own photography business. I'm now living my dream!!!

Although I still find myself sitting in front of a computer some of the time, most of my time is spent enjoying the privilege of sharing in people's special memories. Having established my photography studio in Britain, we relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2006 where we now reside. We try to travel as often as we can between the UK, South Africa and USA to visit family and check up on things on the other side of the world.

A few early years in front of the camera doing modeling, make-up application and posing, has helped me understand how to get the best results from my clients. With the experience of working as a 'live-to-air' television presenter for a year in Britain for my local TV station (co-hosting a live morning breakfast show), it provided me the opportunity to learn to think on my toes. The 5am ''ad lib shoot from the hip'' training has taught me how to keep my cool in any situation -with or without a coffee fix!

I've always loved the arts from dance to image making, and I feel my 'creative eye' has given me the edge in being able to create images with style, elegance and artistry. Having received my official photographic training under the auspices of the British Institute of Professional Photographers, as a qualified licentiate member, you are assured of a high standard of quality and a professional service. BIPP qualifications are highly regarded and are recognized across the world as a benchmark of excellence. A Licentiate qualification reflects a high level of experience, skill and achievement. So always choose a qualified professional!

My work is on display at these venues:

• Presbyterian Hospital Main in The Nursing Mother's Place, Charlotte NC
• The Prenatal Picture 3D/4D Ultrasound office, Charlotte NC
• Belly Elan Maternity Store, Charlotte NC
• The Birthing Center, Fort Mill SC
• Women's Hospital Greensborough NC

Look out for upcoming features here:

• PBS TV station documentary for UBPN organization (coming 2010)
• The Charlotte Observer newspaper

Life is a journey... enjoy the ride! With every project I undertake I like to bring my creativity, vision, enthusiasm, determination and sheer passion to every aspect of my image making. I believe my strong faith in the Lord has helped mould me into who I am today, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing my God-given talent with anyone who is willing to share. I simply love dancing! With 15 years training and experience as a dancer in ballet, jazz, contemporary, freestyle, latin and tap, I feel I have the enthusiasm, passion and vision to capture the essence of dance.... a non-verbal story.  Live by your dreams...Seize the day!