For our latest contributor interview, we sat down with Gabi Bucataru, a photographer and filmmaker whose work is driven by instinct, emotion, and a deep respect for the unplanned.
Do you have a favorite project or image in your collection? What’s the story?
Favorites are always so tricky to pick, but here are my top 3.
First, our youngest had dressed as a fairy for Halloween, and just as we stepped outside, everything aligned — the light, the fresh snow, her quiet focus with the wand in hand. It was a gentle, perfect moment that felt touched by a bit of magic, the kind you don’t plan for and can never quite recreate.
Another favorite is a photo of my father that is a soft echo I carry with me. Even as his body began to fail him, his hands remained faithful to their rituals — always tinkering, always shaping. Here, he’s building a flower stand from forgotten scraps around the house, coaxing beauty from what was left behind, as if refusing to let stillness take root.
And last but not least, while documenting the lives of skateboarders in my hometown of Timișoara, Romania, I stumbled upon this moment inside an ancient fortress — an unexpected intersection of youth and history. The shot wasn’t planned; it just happened, perfectly capturing the raw, improvised spirit of the scene.
When you’re creating visuals for Stocksy, do you approach it differently than your personal or client projects?
Absolutely, for the simple fact that I have freedom in creative expression without any restraints. Clients, on the other hand, have certain expectations that I have to follow, whether they align or not with my initial vision.
The fine line creating content for Stocksy is to balance creativity with commercial potential. This is something I learn with each series. The Creative Briefs are helping tremendously getting some ideas rolling, since the groundwork is already done by the good team at Stocksy.
What is currently catching your eye in the Stocksy collection?
Those unscripted emotional beats — those rare, raw moments that weren’t planned, but say everything. There’s something powerful in the rawness and honesty that just lingers.
Where do you think the industry is going in terms of visuals? Are there trends you’re excited about — or tired of?
I am recognizing a shift towards lo-fi aesthetics with a high value on representing truth. That does not mean low-quality work. Precisely the opposite: capturing instant, relatable stories in a bold, true way is in itself a skill I am very excited to learn.
How much of your work is made with a commercial mindset, and how much is art for art’s sake?
It’s a funny phenomenon. I’ve noticed that, at least for me, series created with a commercial mindset tend not to perform as well as I expected. And partly because I have a tendency to overthink and plan, which inhibits the spontaneous and creative aspects of the content.
The opposite happens when I just capture the moment because of the moment. Some of my bestselling assets were captured that way.
For example, the image of a boy pushing another boy in a toy car. Completely unplanned, I just happened to be in the yard when I saw these two running.
How do you see your medium (photography, 3D, illustration, animation) fitting into digital media and advertising right now?
Photography and video are two of the most versatile media for digital media and advertising. By design, they present one of the most efficient deliveries of human emotional connection. That said, I think exploring more UGC and lo-fi styles with little or no production at all has the potential to offer one of the highest impacts in storytelling for brands.
Visual stock media has evolved a lot over the years. What do you think makes an image feel fresh and relevant now?
It all starts with being connected as an artist to the events in our world. Whether environmental, political, or social justice, being aware of the issues in our world will inspire us to produce stock media that’s real, relatable, and emotionally resonant. It’s been done since forever in all sorts of art forms.
What’s something outside of your medium that influences your creative approach — music, architecture, books, random things you see walking around?
Movies have been a never-ending source of inspiration. Working also as a cinematographer and colorist, I cannot help but filter everything I see through the analytical side of my brain.
I’m always visualizing the set beyond what I see on screen, and I am finding myself Googling the behind the scenes after each movie. Sometimes, a simple scene or lighting diagram can spark a whole idea of a set produced for Stocksy.
Have you ever had a dream project come to life? If so, what made it special?
One of the most fulfilling projects I’ve worked on was “To Build a Home,” a documentary that traces an unlikely collaboration between a Swedish woodwork designer and a Roma community in rural Romania.
Together, they craft exquisite woodwork that finds its way into homes worldwide. I planned the journey and spent several days immersed in the village, filming the story of a gifted young Roma man whose artistry and resilience defy the poverty and prejudice that still shadow his community. It was a rare chance to capture beauty, dignity, and transformation in a place often overlooked.
Discover more of Gabi Bucataru's work
