A few months ago, I blogged about falling out of love with Flickr, as I felt Yahoo! had failed to keep up with the rapidly changing social media landscape, and Flickr users’ needs (no Twitter/Facebook integration, lack of innovations within the platform, no status updates but to name a few).

I am a huge fan of the Flickr community and I still post occasional photos on my basic Flickr account, which allows me to also stay in touch with some of my favourite photographers.

One of these photographers, is the lovely Paola Cermak also known as Sunny on Flickr, whose adventures I have been following over the last couple of years.

Paola’s social media story is truly fascinating ; she started taking pictures with a compact camera uploading them on her Flickr account, became a semi-pro photographer in just under a year, and has grown an impressive community of fans on both Flickr and Facebook.

Here’s her story and take on Flickr/Facebook and how social media has helped with her photography career.

Lolly: Can you talk me through your photography story?

Paola: I have always been interested in photography but never owned a camera. I bought a Canon Ixus in 2006 and started shooting around. When I found Flickr on the internet I was amazed by all the talent and soon needed a DSLR. I decided to buy a Canon EOS 400D in May 2008 and from that day I was hooked. Most of the time I carried it around in my handbag and shot everything that cought my eye. I wasn’t too sure where this would take me.

I started taking portraits of family and friends and soon the friends of my friends asked me to shoot them. After about a year I got my first paid assignments – still shooting with the 400D! I couldn’t believe it, getting paid for doing what I love was the best thing ever. In November 2009 I bought a 7D and still shoot with it.

In January 2010 I suddenly became very ill, got one eye blinded and they diagnosed multiple sklerosis. I felt as bad as never before in my life. It was a huge shock. Mostly I was afraid that I couldn’t shoot anymore. Now, about 4 months later, I am back on track, shooting again (still with only one working eye) and feel that photography gives me the strength that I need, beside my wonderful boyfriend of course ;-)

I do mainly weddings, couples, fashion and nudes. I also love to do street shots. Catching that one special moment and freeze it forever, that’s what I love most about photography. I also love telling stories with only one picture. My dream is to shoot for an international magazine some day.

Lolly: You started using Flickr to showcase your work; have you become real life friends with other Flickr users?
Paola: Yes, actually I did. Usually I’m not that type of person that meets people from the internet but I’ve met a couple of cool guys and actually, one of my best friends is from Flickr.

Lolly: Flickr or Facebook?
Paola: I definitely prefer Facebook, although I’m quite a newbie on there. I feel it’s more “real” and you can do better networking and get cool job opportunities. Working as a pro, it helps to find clients.
Flickr is quite nice to showcase your work and get inspiration, but I’m from a small country [Austria] and not too many people know or use Flickr over here. But I also have to say that Flickr pushed me to go further with my pictures. There are so many talented people out there that I love, and who really inspire me.

Lolly: Do you live off your photography these days? Has Social Media helped with your photography career?
Paola: I don’t entirely live off my photography but I’m a part-time pro and I’m proud of it. I’ve come a long way and I still have many goals to achieve ;-) Besides my own projects,  I’m currently working for a wedding photography agency and I love it! We found each other on Facebook too. Without Flickr and Facebook I wouldn’t be where I am now! Social media definitely helped me a lot.

Lolly: Final question, what’s your inspirational picture?
Paola: Okay, that question took me ages. It’s so hard to decide for only one shot. I could decide easily if I should find somebody else’s shot that I love… but I had a hard time finding one of myself. I took this picture at an indoor pool, catching a very special moment between a father and his son. Even when doing street or reportage shots I try to keep composition in mind.

I’d like to thank Paola for taking the time to answer my questions. You can check out her work on her website, Flickr and Facebook.