beyond the lens

Welcome

to the soothing world of sea and light. My aim is to pass on the tranquility of the sea and the endless power of the ocean – to bring their calm and wonder into your life, just like they bring it into mine.

I’ve always felt deeply connected to the sea. As a kid, I would stay in the water forever and my parents still laugh about how stubborn I was, refusing to get out even when my whole body was trembling and my lips were blue, all while insisting »I’m not cold!!!«.
 
Not much have changed since, except that my parents don’t try to get me out of the water anymore, and the Adriatic sea in the summer got so warm that I get too tired swimming and diving before I get cold.
 
I’m currently based on the beautiful Slovenian coast and it’s around here that most images are created. My passion for travelling also takes me to other coastal destinations, always giving me fresh and untapped inspiration.
 
A few random things about me:

  • I worked and sailed on different sailing boats for several months at a time and it was some of the best times of my life. It also annoys me because it set my life goals much higher and harder to attain.
  • I once experienced what I call nirvana – pure bliss and endless unconditional love with dissolving of the ego. It was by far the most powerful and shocking experience of my life in the best possible way, but just like sailing (though I’m not quite comparing the two), it also annoys me because it set my life goals much higher and harder to attain.
  • I love exploring different aspects of life, psychology and spirituality, which is what led me to the previously mentioned experience. Consequently, I also love deep conversations and philosophy. 
  • I started photography somewhat coincidently when I was 14 and had to decide which secondary school to attend. I had never done photography before but it was the love at first thought and hasn’t left me since. 
  • While I grew up in Slovenia and my father is Slovenian, my mom is French and my Breton roots make Brittany feel like my second home. 
  • I’ve always loved listening to people sing along a guitar but it didn’t happen often enough, so I just learned to sing and play it myself. 
  • I need to be surrounded by nature as much as possible to stay sane – possibly all the time. I never miss the city and only go when I really need to. 
  • I lived in Paris for four years while studying photography. While it was fun and very enriching, it also confirmed that living in a city is not for me. 
  • I need and love a lot of alone time, but I also deeply cherish the time I spend with my family and friends. 
  • Gratitude for all the good and simple things in life is what keeps me going and looking on the bright side of life. 
  • I don’t like to talk about me as much as it might seem right now, but someone once told me that sharing helps us connect better – so here we are!

You are invited to explore the images here. My hope is to bring serenity, awe, and a touch of sea’s magic into your space.

If you have questions about the photos, ordering, custom options like framing or paper, or anything else, feel free to reach out—I’ll reply as soon as possible.

“Wondering if you are Love is like the ocean wondering if it is water.”
~ unknown

In addition to my fine art sea photography, I also bring a wealth of experience to a variety of other photography fields, including commercial, nautical, real estate, lifestyle, portrait, and event photography.
To view a selection of my diverse work, visit:
https://barbaramilavec.com
For my nautical photography, explore: https://seaandlighthorizons.com

Sea and ocean photographer Barbara Milavec
Recognition

Awards & Selections

A part of the cover of the book "50 ans de photographies Gobelins l'ecole de l'image"
SEP 2021
  • Winner

Cannes Yachting Festival Photo Competition

MAY 2013
  • Featured

50 Years of Photography by GOBELINS, l’école de l’image book

MAR 2005
  • Honorable Mention

Slovenian Women Photographers Exhibition, Kos Mansion, Jesenice

APR 2000
  • 3rd Prize & Special Jury Award

Landscape 2000 Photography Contest, Jesenice, 2000

FEB 1998
  • Selected for Exhibition

Photography of the Year 1997, Emzin Contest, Cultural Center Ivan Cankar, Ljubljana

JAN 2015
  • 16th Art Salon Ruma

group exhibition, Ruma Cultural Center, Ruma, Serbia

FEB 2009
  • (Not) a Photograph

group exhibition, Piran Municipal Gallery, Piran, Slovenia

MAR 2007
  • L’Ile d’Yeu

Red Dawns Festival, MKSMC Koper, Slovenia

JUN 2006
  • La lenteur

group exhibition, Festival du Mot, Charité sur Loire, France

APR 2006
  • Intimate

group exhibition, Piran Municipal Gallery, Piran, Slovenia

FEB 2006
  • Nomad’s Land

group exhibition, Paris Subway, group project “Time and Rhythm” (photomontage1.7 x 5 m), Paris, France

SEP 2005
  • L’espace

Photo projections in OPA Club, in collaboration with musician Laurence Moletta, Paris, France

nov 2004
  • Hype Gallery

group exhibition, Palais do Tokyo, Paris, France

sep 2002
  • Path

independent exhibition, gallery Menza Numero Due, MKC, Koper, Slovenia

Recognition

Exhibitions

A short selection of solo and group exhbitions. 

learning

Education

2004 – 2006
  • Photography

Image Processing section, GOBELINS, l’école de l’image, Paris, France

2001 – 2003
  • DEUG degree in Visual arts

Université Paris 8, Paris, France

1994 – 1998
  • Photography

Secondary school of design and photography, Ljubljana, Slovenia

A minimalist photo of four small clouds just above the horizon with a blurred sea in the foreground, displayed on a shelve in a home.
Framed wall art of sparkling ocean waves under bright sunlight, displayed on a wall in a modern interior.
A dreamy photograph of a blurred wave in soft pastel blues, with a golden and orange sunset sky in the background, framed above the bed in a bedroom, creating a serene and peaceful ambiance.
your peaceful escape

Fine Art Photography That Brings A Touch of Calm to Every Space

Transform your walls into windows to the ocean’s tranquility. Gallery-quality wall art, designed to elevate your space.

21
different locations
145
hours spent in the water
sustainability

Eco-Conscious Wall Art for Inspired Living

All photos are printed on archival quality, acid-free and lignin-free Hahnemühle paper, made with primary FSC- / PEFC certified fibres.

Hahnemühle has been committed to sustainability for centuries, producing high-quality papers with pure spring water and sustainable fibers since 1584. Their environmentally conscious practices include FSC- and PEFC-certified materials, innovative tree-free options, and a circular production process. All Hahnemühle papers are vegan and fully recyclable, and the company uses renewable energy to reduce its carbon footprint. They also support biodiversity, reforestation, and ocean clean-up initiatives through their Green Rooster program, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Best Quality

Printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art acid-free archival paper.

Free Worlwide Shipping

Including full tracking and insurance.

Warranty

100% Money Back Guarantee within 14 days.

Eco Friendly

Paper and packaging follow sustainable practices.

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