In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KamloopsBCNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Lisa Novakowski
What do you always find yourself saying?
I find myself saying “…that’s so beautiful” and “amazing” way too often! I see beauty in everything, and wanting to immortalize that beauty is part of what led me to photography even as a kid. To be completely honest, I am also often heard to ask, “Do you know where I put my…” I’m always losing things. I suppose I’m not as great a multitasker as I think I am.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Only one? That’s tough… there are so many great leaders out there whose wisdom I would love to glean, but when it really comes down to it, I would choose my family. Life with three kids means we are forever pulled in a million ways and it’s not very often we have an entire day just to ourselves.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Winning a Fearless Photographers award would be pretty awesome.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
I would absolutely love to tag along with Ansel Adams on one of his photo excursions. He saw the world in a way that was both unique and inspiring.
Who inspires you?
Henri Cartier Bresson and Annie Leibovitz – two very different photographers, both inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and grow. Malala Yousafzai – an incredible, fearless young woman whose strength in the face of unimaginable adversity compels me to be more meaningful with my life.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Travel Europe. Shoot a wedding in temple ruins (South America or Thailand). Jump out of an airplane. With a parachute.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
The Next Horizon
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about relationships and about family.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My children… they make me so proud and I’d do anything for them.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kamloops? What do you like about it?
Kamloops has SO many amazing places to eat, and with such a variety! Seriously. Some of my current faves include Hello Toast, Art We Are, Mittz Kitchen, Flavours of India, and Oh Sushi Mura. I like food. Too much probably, but you know… these places all appease my inner foodie.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kamloops? Why?
I love roaming the hills around here. There is so much variety in the landscapes surrounding our city and I enjoy exploring our beautiful surroundings!
Please, tell us a bit about your business or organization.
I am a photographer here in Kamloops. Until recently, I would have said that I specialize in weddings and families. Which I do. 2015 marks my 9th year of photographing weddings (and a decade shooting families, wow!) as Aspect Arts Photography and I love it! I get to be a witness to one of the happiest days in people’s lives, every weekend, and that’s pretty fantastic! In my people photography, my focus is always on two things… finding incredible light and telling the authentic story that is unfolding in front of my lens. I’m all about the story, whether it’s the plot of an entire wedding day or the story of this day in the life of a family. That’s what drives my business, and it’s what makes my heart happy in business.
Photographing the many details that are part of every wedding has led to the discovery that I also thoroughly enjoy photographing spaces and product, so I’ve just recently launched the commercial branch of my business under Lisa Novak Photography. Not surprisingly, then, Lisa Novak focuses on architecture, business spaces, and product photography. Here again, I’m always struck with how much the play of light on my subject changes and enhances it.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Aspect Arts Photography and Lisa Novak Photography
What does your business/organization do?
Aspect Arts Photography – my people photography, focused on documenting weddings and families
Lisa Novak Photography – my commercial business, specializing in architecture, business spaces and product photography
Where can people find you or your business online?
Two places actually!! For weddings and families, I can be found at www.aspectartsphoto.com and my commercial work is at www.lisanovak.ca
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Lisa Novakowskii
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Aspect Arts Photography and Lisa Novak Photography
What is your Twitter account?
@AspectArtsPhoto
What is your mission?
In a nutshell, my mission is “Documenting the Life You Live”. Life passes by so fast, and it seems like we are all trying to pack more and more into every day. I don’t think we stop to just enjoy where we are in life very often. My mission, then, is to capture this moment in time and immortalize it for my clients. An afternoon or evening with me also enables families to slow down and take a few minutes to just enjoy each other, even just for a few hours. I love that!
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Personally, as far as accolades go, I’d like to be one of the Top 10 Fearless Photographers.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
In five years, my goal is to have a thriving commercial business that has achieved balance with my people photography.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Weddings: Jerry Ghionis
Portraiture: Annie Leibovitz
Architecture: Mike Kelley
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Authenticity. Integrity. Visionary.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
Kamloops has been good to my business, and I worked hard to make the connections necessary to give back in any way I can. I work closely with the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, donating my photography services to their big events (like the Royal Affair). The RIHF does so much to help our community by fundraising for our hospital and I’m happy to be a part of that team! There’s been a tug on my heart to give back to this community in a bigger, more personal, and very specific way, and it’s a vision I have that is in the early stages of development. I’m super excited about it all and wish I could spill the beans and share more, but it’s coming, and I’m sure you’ll be hearing about it soon enough!
If I could change one thing about Kamloops, it would be:
To find new solutions to meet the needs of our homeless, the ones who don’t want to be in the shelters, but who still have immediate needs for food and basic shelter.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
The people and the weather!
My choice for the Kamloops In Focus spotlight is:
Michelle Mistal – Read Deals on Home Decor
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops!
