Katarzyna Okrzesik-Mikołajek

I owe every step along my beautiful journey and every lesson I’ve applied to my personal growth to photography. My passion for this art took me from a shy little girl always afraid of the unknown, to the unstoppable and self-confident creator I am today.

Through photography, I found the confidence to act on my biggest dreams and discover the world as I pursued my quest to capture the likenesses of the most beautiful creatures of all — horses.

I cannot imagine my life without photography and never could have predicted how it would become my link to the world of horses. My dream to photograph incredible horses in unique settings has been my reason to travel the world, and combining horses, travel and photography has been my life’s passion for nearly half of my existence.

I’ve dedicated my life to bringing unique and heart-catching frames from all the places where horses belong. As a self- taught photographer, the skills I have today are the result of many years of challenging myself to improve my craft through new experiences and conditions behind my camera.

THE HORSE

„Unbranded spirit, descendant of freedom.
A creature whose presence combines the magic of finesse and the power of majesty. Brimming with strong yet gentle expressions. Enchanted; shrouded with centuries-old mysterious legends, myths and tales. Inspiring humankind throughout the ages.
A muse of art in all forms.
A one-of-a-kind living entity that continually impacts our perception of infinite beauty.”

Books:

Exhibitions

  • „MY PERCEPTION” – a vernissage marking the premiere of the first book, The Pearl, Poland 2022
  • „MY PERCEPTION” – an exhibition dedicated to the „PERCEPTION – The Horse’s Infinite Beauty” book, Mara’ee, Bahrain 2023
  • „TREASURES OF RAWDAT ETHANYA” – a dedicated exhibition presenting the Arabian horses of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Katara International Horse Festival, Qatar 2024

Awards

  • The Best Black & White Photographer in Canada 2023 in World’s Top Black & White Photographers 2023 organized by One Eyeland Awards
  • FIAP Gold Medal of Open Monochrome category 13th International Photographic Salon Varna
  • Winner of the Animals category in 2016 National Geographic Photo Contest (Poland)
  • Prix Special Du Jury at 43rd Salon National des Artistes Animaliers (France)
  • Grand Jury Winner in Black And White Compositions Photo Contest organized by ViewBug
  • Rated in 10 Of The Best Photographers In The World Of Horses by Russian Photo Magazine
  • Rated in Top 10 Best Equine Photographers In The World by TopTeny
  • People’s Choice in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest by ViewBug (USA)
  • 1st place in photography contest Summer Solstice organized by EPNet
  • 1st place in photography contest Horse sports organized by EPNet
  • 1st place in photography contest On The Snow organized by Foto-Kurier
  • Best of the best in Foto-Kurier, June 2012
  • Photo of the month in Foto-Kurier, November 2013
  • Photo of the month in Digital Camera Polska, April 2014

Interviews & Features

  • Podcast
  • TV

  • Interview for Chiiz Magazine Vol 39 (India)
  • Interview for The Leading Equestrian Magazine of China 中国马术在线 《马术》杂志 2019/02
  • Interview for Voyage LA Magazine 2019 (USA)
  • Interview for Bare Essentials Magazine Issue 46 (Australia)
  • Interview for Kentaur Magazine 2017 (Sweden)
  • Interview for Digital Camera Polska 2016 (Poland)
  • Interview for AndalusianWorld Magazine Issue 9 (USA)
  • Interview for World Dressage Masters 2015 (Germany)
  • Interview for Gold Mustang Professional №2(149)/2015 (Russia)
  • Interview for Foto-Kurier 7/2013 (Poland)
  • Interview for Baroque Horse Magazine Issue 10 (Australia)

Publications

  • „O śnieżnych wyzwaniach” Świat Koni 1/2017
  •  „Stajenne impresje” Świat Koni 8/2016
  •  „Starcie tytanów” Świat Koni 6/2016
  •  „Camargue – Białe Konie Morza” 6/2016
  •  „Klasyczne piękno” Świat Koni 3/2016
  • „Taniec we mgle” Świat Koni 1/2016
  • „Magiczny mróz” Świat Koni 12/2015
  •  „Wielki błękit” Świat Koni 8/2015
  •  „Jest gdzieś taka kraina…” Świat Koni 6/2015
  • „Curly Shadows” Świat Koni 5/2015
  •  „Zaczarowany świat Cavalii” 5/2015
  •  „Spod samiuśkich Tater” Świat Koni 3/2015
  •  „Apassionata – The Golden Trial” Świat Koni 2/2015
  •  „Gypsy Vanner” Świat Koni 1/2015
  •  „Czarno biało” Świat Koni 10/2014
  •  „Pogodzić dwa żywioły” Świat Koni 9/2014
  •  „Wyspiarskie olbrzymy” Koń Polski 11/2013
  •  „Kuce z wrzosowisk” Koń Polski 1/2013
  • „Złote andaluzy” Koń Polski 11/2012
  •  „Egipskie Konie” Koń Polski 3/2012
  • Numerous covers of books and magazines in Poland, Germany, England, Australia, USA, Canada, Sweden, Russia.
  • Annual publication of photos in multiple calendars

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