> And the winner is.....

It was something I had never done before. Making a 'moving' image about... well, me. I am not the kind of person that feels naturally comfortable in front of a camera. If I know someone is trying to capture me through a lens I suddenly feel the urge to do all sorts of things but not be in it, sit still, or try to go with it. So yes. After a week of filming, me and my craziness, I decided to do what I love most. Make a video of my story illustration style. I finished just in time and sent in my Shutterstock Stories video.

Now a month later all winners are announced and I have this very cool 'badge in my right corner' thing going on. I am honored to be one of the winners. All Shutterstock Stories have been very inspiring. Proud to bee one of them! So thank you all for voting and supporting me these past few weeks. And I will have to thank two peeps i couldn't finish this without: Jaap Vork for his amazing eye and Rob Kanters for his soundscape and greatness of his ears.

Enjoy watching if you haven't seen the video yet and follow all new exciting things happening on facebook.

> Exciting! One of the Shutterstock Stories finalists | Place your vote!

I have been working on a video last month about my creative story for the Shutterstock Stories program. I am so excited I am selected as one of the finalists. There are so many interesting, funny and also moving stories behind the artist, the Shutterstock contributers. It is lovely to see how people from all over the world join a creative community like Shutterstock. So many possibilities come with being an artist for them. Check all video's. They are very inspirational. If you would like to support me in the race please watch my Little Smilemakers video and vote!

WATCH THE VIDEO'S AND VOTE HERE

Last but not least a big thanks to Jaap Vork for capturing these moments. And Rob Kanters for his effort to record my voice-over. Thanks guys!

> Shutterstock Stories | My Little Smilemakers Story by Maaike Boot

When I was little, i only had one hobby: drawing. My mum used to buy me a new package of pencils every week because i run out of ink that crazy quickly. As long as i can remember i was busy creating things. My parents always knew i would be doing something with that creativity.

This spring i was invited to dinner by a Shutterstock representative and i was informed about the Shutterstock Stories program. Shutterstock has been very important to me during the seven year I work for them as a contributer. I think it is partly because of them I was able, and dared, to quit my job and start my own Little Smilemakers Studio. As an ambassador i just had to join in and send my little story into the world.

I love creating things but filming... as it turns out i do not have a a lot of potential as an actress, just being myself and telling my story was too hard for me to do on camera. I kept forgetting my own text. Strange, because it was my text, my story. Well, I needed to come up with a different approach. More me, not in in the spotlight and all about drawing. A dear friend and awesome photographer, Jaap Vork, helped me to make it more 'me.'Hope you can appreciate the video. It is kind of scary to put something out there that is clearly not my media but is very personal. But it's there, all finished!

WATCH THE SHUTTERSTOCK STORIES VIDEO