AN INTERVIEW WITH FELICIA KUBIEZIEL, PHOTOGRAPHER
There are so many talented humans in and around Queenstown! Felicia Kubieziel is one of them who creates beautiful and inspiring photography. She is also offering 10% off her services for QVS members! Here's a little interview with this local vegan photographer!
Tell us a bit about your business?
I’m a photographer with a strong focus on fine art maternity portraits. Why maternity photos, you might ask?
For me creating new life is probably the most magical thing on earth yet most women start to feel uncomfortable and self conscious about their looks when reaching the 3rd trimester. With portraying them as the strong, beautiful humans they are I want to empower them to embrace their curves, love their belly and recognize the divine powers they possess to grow a baby for 40-ish weeks. Having a maternity photoshoot not only allows them to create meaningful memories of their pregnancy that they will treasure forever, it’s also an excuse to dress up in a gorgeous maternity gown and feel absolutely beautiful while celebrating the anticipation of what’s to come!
What was your inspiration for going vegan?
As long as I can remember I have been very inquisitive. I have always been fascinated with nature and everything in it. It confused me to see that my grandparents killed animals for food that just some time before they taught me to love and respect. When I was 14 I became a vegetarian as I couldn’t understand how you could love one being and kill the other. 4 Years later - being a strong animal rights activist as this stage - I saw an interview with Moby on MTV where he spoke about veganism, a word I had never heard before. It was like an epiphany and from one moment to the next I became a vegan myself.
What's your favourite restaurant to go to for vegan options in Queenstown?
Tough questions as Queenstown now has so many amazing places that offer vegan food.
I love the tacos at Lord of the Fries, the Hawker rolls at Hawker&Roll are always delicious but if I had to pick one it would be Farellis - nothing beats Italian home cooked meals.
Any advice or tips for people who are interested in veganism?
Educate yourself on what it means to be vegan - from the health aspect, to animal rights and the benefit a vegan lifestyle brings to our environment. It has never been easier to make the switch. The internet is bursting with yummy recipes, movies like Cowspiracy and What the Health have hit the mainstream and are widely available on Netflix and our supermarkets are stocked with all kinds of vegan treats. If all that information is too overwhelming start slow. Switch out cows milk for soy or almond milk, order a tofu scramble instead of scrambled eggs. Being vegan will broaden your view of the world and that’s a wonderful thing.
If you could be any animal for the day, which would it be and why?
I would probably go for a whale. To explore an ocean environment while belonging there must be an unbelievable experience that most of us can only dream of. And because whales are incredible compassionate beings I would feel safe to explore the depths of the sea surrounded by a loving family.
What's your fail-proof potluck offering?
Vanilla-coffee-cream filled donuts - yum!
Check out Felicia's website: https://www.feliciakubieziel.com