- Modellenland
Interview: Photography Shades of Beauty (Austria)
Tell us something about yourself
I do portrait-, fashion- and wedding-photography for several years now, with Shades of Beauty I also started boudoir-photography, which gives me the freedom to shoot with no expectations or boundaries with a different style then I am used to.
How and when did you get into photography?
I started as teenager taking pictures whenever I could short bevor digital cameras got affordable. When canon released its Rebel Kiss (300D), I purchased it and it was fun taking pictures with it. From that day on I tried to get better and better in photography and especially in lighting the subject right, what is in my opinion the most important thing in photography
What does photography mean to you?
Photography gives my life a reason. A reason, to continuing getting better, accomplishing goals I set, it gives me the chance to aim higher than bevor, planning shoots and accomplishing them as good as I can. And it’s a lot of fun, working with people, getting to know them and try to make them look as good as possible on the picture
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I don’t want to have a certain style. If every picture looks the same, just with different faces, I probably will get bored very soon.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Nowadays I see so many pictures all day long on social media that I get saturated very soon. The process of Inspiration starts on the set with the model on the spot, because the whole look of the image depends on the model and her way of expression. Is she shy or is she outgoing, is she a lady or a vamp and most important, how does she want to look on the pictures. Photography is a doubles-player game like tennis or badminton
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
Of course I give a thought in advance, what props might fit the model best, but mostly it’s the model’s choice. I take care of the mood in the picture.
Studio, on location or both?
Mostly on location, because most models feel more comfortable on location when they have something to lean or sit or lie onto, than standing on an empty space I front of a grey wall.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I am a paid professional, but Shades of Beauty is my balance, I do it just for fun in my free time
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Every session is conserved in my memory because every session is unique and different like every model is, like every human being always will be.
What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?
My biggest source of inspiration when we start shooting is the model. She sets the stage, I only slightly redirect her when I see something, that looks even better than they just offered.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? I stick to Canon, cause I could use all of my father’s old lenses whit the new DSLRs from Canon. If he’d had Nikon-Lenses, I would have bought a Nikon-DSLR
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
To keep in mind, that if she or he really wants to start a business with photography, taking pictures will only be about 10 % of your (not always well paid and hard) work, while practicing photography as a hobby is most likely very fulfilling.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I find all pictures in the magazine of very high quality. Therefore I feel very honoured to be a part of it.
Alex
Rafaela
