Michaela Noroc is author of The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 portraits.
At 27 she quit her ordinary life and spent 4 years travelling the world, photographing the unnoticed beauty in the people around us. According to Michaela,“I see myself like a very normal woman, with ups and downs. I work hard for my dream, and, by chance, this dream is appreciated by mass media. But there are millions of women in the world, that work even harder for their goals and maybe their activities don’t seem so spectacular from the outside. I hope I will have the chance to photograph some of them for the project, capturing their inner and outer beauty and showing them how special they are.”
What is the first trip you remember taking?
My first trip with my family, to the seaside, in Odessa, during the communist era.
If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – on a long-haul flight, who would it be?
Marco Polo
How do you recover from jet lag?
I just go on the street and photograph women for my project. That intense feeling makes me forget about the tiredness.
Your flight’s delayed an hour and your phone’s out of battery. How do you pass the time?
I open my camera and have a look at the photos I’ve taken.
Biggest lesson from your travels?
To be yourself, honest and authentic, so people will be more open to you in all corners of the world.
Do you travel for food, leisure, culture or something else?
I travel for photography.
Favourite Hotel? Why?
I love sleeping in night trains. You meet new people and when you wake up you are a new place.
Favourite airline?
I don’t really have a favourite. When it’s possible, I always prefer to travel by land.
What’s on your travel playlist?
Hejrat a song by Googoosh which I always listen when the plane takes off, because it makes me forget about my fear of flying.
Where next?
Right now I’m traveling around Europe to promote my book. My next destination is Brussels.
Must-have travel picks?
Camera, smartphone, ear plugs.
First thing that comes to your mind?
Hand-luggage essential?
Photo camera.
Packing: roll or fold?
Fold.
Time killer on a long-haul flight?
Movies.
On-flight tipple of choice?
Wine.
Bucket list top destination?
Brazil, Myanmar, Italy.
Best shopping gem found abroad?
A pair of earrings from Jerusalem.
Beach or City?
City.
Ultimate hideaway?
Colombia.
Any Questions or Tips to add?