Maybe this will sound silly, but since I was a kid I would put my Barbie (and other) dolls in poses and imagine taking photos of them, even without having a camera. Later on my sister and I used a cheap film camera, pretended we were models and took silly photos, haha. Some “serious” photography began in 2008, I would say. It wasn’t so good but it was a beginning.
And about knowing I would pursue being an artist… Well, I kind of always knew that. Most people know me for my photographic work, but since youngest age I’ve been constantly drawing. And now I’m a student of painting at an art academy. I think I can only be an artist in this life. I tried “not doing art” and it just made me terribly unhappy.

 

2. What other artists and art forms have influenced you and your work?

In this age of Internet and whatnot it’s hard not to be influenced. I studied history of art, I love watching cartoons and movies, reading comics, browsing other people’s online galleries (photographers, painters, designers, make up artists…) so I think I can say I’m influenced by all of it. Some people try to isolate themselves from influences so they can create their own, unique style. But I don’t agree with them. This is the era we’re living in and I’m gonna embrace the influences. I can still be myself.

 

3. Can you describe your current artistic process, habits, techniques you have formed?

I usually start out with sketching ideas on paper. I discuss the ideas with my assistant, models and people I’m collaborating with. I have a general idea of what I want a photo to look like but it’s still mostly improvising when it comes to actual photo shooting. It doesn’t always turn out the way I imagined it originally, but sometimes spontaneous ideas during the photo shoot can make an even better photograph.
After the photo shoot is done I carefully select the best images and start with the editing process. I must say, that’s my favorite part – taking the idea to its final stage.

4. Is storytelling important in your photography?

I like my photos having a story. I’m not saying all of them have a story, though. Some are purely there to be visually interesting. But a lot of them have a story. I don’t like telling the whole story by myself. Let’s put it this way – I start a photo with “Once upon a time…” and I let the viewers to create and finish the story in their own minds.

 

5. What are some of your favorite books, poems, authors?
Do comics count as books, haha? Because I really like reading comics, especially Dylan Dog.

All joking aside, I would say my favorite books are “The Tunnel” by Ernesto Sábato, “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach, “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde, “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk… I also like Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake and reading fairy tales. I’m a kid at heart, what can I say.

6. Can you put into words the way you have evolved over time as a photographer?

I would say I still need much evolving. But looking back at the beginnings I did evolve mainly considering technical aspects and quality of my photographs. I think I also evolved in choosing subjects and motifs for my photos. Today, I think my work has more meaning, more emotion, complexity… But I’m still not there where I’d want to be considering my photography. Who knows, maybe I’ll never get there… But I promise to keep on trying.

 

7. Where do you turn for motivation and new sources of inspiration?

I always first turn to myself and my own mind. I’m trying to come up with my own and original ideas, which is basically impossible these days. I try using my own drawings and paintings as a source of inspiration. But at times I do get inspired by some (online) photographers. I’m avoiding copying anyone but I “examine” their work, trying to put myself in their mind… Some people are just brilliant and at times I want to be as brilliant as they are. So, maybe I’ll just borrow 1% percent of their photographic genius, haha.

 

8. Discuss the role of community and gallery showings, etc to your growth as an artist.

It definitely played a major role in my artistic growth. Sharing my work with other people/artists and viewing other artists’ work was essential for my growth. You learn a lot from it – both about good and the bad things in your own work. It directs you in technical and artistic aspects. And the important thing is your work gets seen and as a consequence you get commissioned, your work is sold, etc.

 

9. What do you think is more important for your craft: passion,  dedication, or raw talent and can you elaborate on why?

I would say all of the above is equally important. I think without passion towards what you do there can be no dedication either. You just gotta love what you do. And talent is what’s gonna take you to the “top”. Raw talent can be refined, but only with a lot of passion and dedication. That’s why I think these three things are inseparable.

 

10. What is a project, or theme you are currently working on, or something that is currently taking your attention, that you are aiming to explore in your work?

I’m not currently working on any project in particular. I do have a few ideas that have been “lying around” for some time that I’d like to make into photographs. My aim is to work more on some conceptual and emotional photography and perhaps to try and combine my photographic and painting/drawing skill in my future works.