Nikola Stamenov is among the most prominent masters of photography in Plovdiv. But his path to this well-deserved recognition was extremely difficult. He was born in Karlovo in 1885, but a few years later his family moved to Troyan. His father could barely provide for the family and, most likely, overwhelmed by worries, suddenly died. Just then, a German photographer arrived in the small town. Little Nikola was captivated by the work of the photojournalist. He constantly accompanied the German on his tours of the beautiful surroundings of Troyan and helped him carry the heavy photographic equipment at the time. A year later, the foreigner left the town, but in his place came the photographer Lefterov, who took the inquisitive boy under his wing.
Having gained experience and a little money, Nikola Stamenov managed to buy a camera and after only a few months began to make portraits of Trojans.He opened his first studio in Karlovo in 1906, then continued his activities in Kyustendil (until 1910) and in Plovdiv, where he worked until his death (1959). In the 1920s, he initiated the creation of the Plovdiv Photographic Society, which he led for years.
For the artistic portraits and views of Old Plovdiv he presented, he received a gold medal from the Industrial Exhibition in Plovdiv in 1933, and in 1951 he was recognized as a photographer-artist.
Nikola Stamenov probably arrived in Plovdiv at the end of 1910. Initially, he worked for the famous master Henrikh Hershkovich, and in 1923 he set up his own studio on Knyaz Alexander I Street. The reconstruction of Plovdiv’s main street in 1924 caused Stamenov to move his studio to 14 Patriarch Evtimiy Street. Here, next to the Plovdiv Police Commandant’s Office, he created his most significant works. In the 1930s, Stamenov also opened a photo materials store at 47 Knyaz Aleksandar I Street, where he primarily offered products from the Gevert company.
Under the hills, the young photographer quickly discovered his great potential and won the respect of his colleagues. His drive for continuous improvement was proverbial – he constantly experimented, corresponded with famous European companies for the production of photographic materials, procured new equipment, and subscribed to authoritative magazines.
For years, Nikola Stamenov was a leading photographer under the hills. His works can be found in the archives of many Plovdiv families.
Nikola Stamenov was the first Bulgarian photographer to appreciate the romance of the Old Town and the opportunities it provided for creating works of art. For nearly 30 years, he photographed the houses of the main Renaissance architectural ensembles along the Three Hills and accumulated a rich collection. After the forced closure of the studio, he began to move the equipment to his home on Antim I Street. In the commotion, unknown thieves took away his most valuable works, and unfortunately, their fate is still unknown.
