Behind the Lens: Fashion Photographer Ziga Mihelcic on Inspiration and the Dubai Market

Ziga Mihelcic: The Slovenian Photographer Bringing a European Edge to Dubai Fashion

From an accidental start in his sister's bedroom to shooting for international magazines, we go behind the lens with the artist making waves in the Middle East.

In a region known for its opulence and growing fashion scene, finding a unique visual voice is key. Enter Ziga Mihelcic, a fashion photographer whose journey from the winters of Slovenia to the vibrant creative hub of Dubai is as compelling as his imagery. We sat down with Ziga to discuss his accidental entry into photography, his greatest inspirations, and his vision for bringing a fresh, European perspective to the Middle Eastern fashion industry.

For many artists, the call to create is a loud, undeniable force. For Ziga, it was a nudge from his mother on a boring winter day.

"It happened one boring winter day back in my college days," Ziga recalls. "My mother noticed that I had nothing to do so she suggested that I take a few photos of my sister who was modeling at the time."

With no formal training, he improvised, turning his sister's room into a studio by removing the wardrobe and gathering every light he could find. The moment he saw the results on his computer and began experimenting with post-editing, he was hooked.

"I was amazed as to what I could do... From there I just began taking more and more photos of my sister and friends until finally I got noticed by a few model agencies who asked me to test. Once I began shooting for magazines I established my passion."

A World of Inspiration

When asked about his inspirations, Ziga cites the giants of fashion photography—Mert & Marcus, Txema Yeste, Mario Sorrenti, Greg Kadel, and Giampaolo Sgura. But his creative fuel extends far beyond the work of others.

"I also get inspired by beautiful locations, models, a particular look or style can inspire me and well of course art. In fact, anything can trigger an inspiration, it is all around."

The Dream and The Reality

For Ziga, every shoot is a valuable chapter in his ongoing story. "Well every shoot is a different story so it's impossible to have a favorite," he says, highlighting the importance of the learning process. "Many times things can go wrong on set, but the growing curve helps me only to get better and to grow as a photographer. This is actually one of the best parts of my job."

His dream project aligns with his relentless drive: to continue shooting for top-tier fashion magazines that champion creative expression, to work on major brand campaigns, and to create iconic portraits of celebrities in the vein of his idol, Annie Leibovitz.

A European Eye on the Dubai Market

Having worked in the region, Ziga offers a thoughtful perspective on the Middle Eastern fashion industry.

"I noticed that many fashion editorials and campaigns here in Dubai look the same or often have a similar style," he observes.

He sees this not as a limitation, but as an opportunity. He notes the positive impact of international photographers bringing their unique styles to the region and is positioning himself to do the same.

"Fortunately many foreign photographers are coming in and out of the region... which is what I am trying to do. Both the clients and editors are open for something fresh and unique and I am definitely hoping my European approach to fashion and photography is of interest to this fascinating market."

To stay inspired, Ziga keeps a curated list of go-to digital destinations, including Fashion Gone Rogue, Fashion Copius, Design Scene, fashioneditorials.com, Visual Optimism, and ftape.com. He also keeps a close eye on the talent at Wilhelmina Dubai, wink wink. Despite his digital diet, he still holds a torch for the tactile experience: "I still prefer print magazines but it is obviously easier to access much more content online."

As Ziga Mihelcic continues to build his portfolio between Dubai and Europe, his story is a powerful reminder that the most successful careers can often begin with a simple, accidental moment of curiosity.

Follow Ziga’s work on Instagram and explore his portfolio on his website.