Interview: Photographer Kestas Venzlauskas (Lithuania)

Can you tell us a little about you?

My body is almost 39 years old, which mostly lives in Kaunas, Lithuania. But I love to travel. I’m proud of my wife and two wonderful children, I graduated school, college, read many books, saw lots of movies, I traveled around many beautiful countries, met so many interesting people, I learned and knew many different things, but I’m not done yet.

How and when did you get into photography?

Four years ago I was lucky to visit Venice, Italy. I took a few dozen photos there with my iPhone, one of them was some tiny street. But when I came back and saw how bad it was, I started to interest about the apps where I could make it better. This led me into iphoneography – I was already searching, learning and trying. At the beginning I was shooting trees, rocks, landscapes and similar stuff. In a few months I was bored of still life, so I decided to ask one of my friends to pose in front of my iPhone. Yes, I know, not the best idea. In a while my colleague photographer Gerda, which could no longer suffer my Facebook feed with portraits, made with a phone (who I am so grateful for the support and the foundation in photography she gave me) told me to get professional camera. That’s how randomness forced me to change my life. Completely.

What does photography mean to you?

Alive. I feel alive. You must always keep going. You must learn all the time – how to see the world differently, how to communicate with people. You must master your skills, improve your taste, and here are no limits, you are able to do it for ever. It’s a gentle fight with yourself – never stop. But the fight is easy, when you have passion for it.

Photography makes me a floating river rather than stinky swamp.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

Must be the hardest question... My path in photography is too short to be sure what is my style. But I know exactly – my aspiration is emotion. Yes, I like contrast, especially in black and white, I like dark pics more the bright ones, but anyway – there must be a feeling in portrait.

Where do you get inspiration from?

My inspiration is the most perfect creature in the world – woman. Every cell of this miracle inspires me. But it is a Couse. To be able to perpetuate that beauty in a picture I observe other portraitist, for now the best inspiration feed for me comes from 35photo.ru and fstoppers.com.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Always. I’m preparing for the shoot for 2-3 days – browsing for inspirational photos, planning, getting the ideas for any accessories, but when the moment comes…it’s always goes extemporary.

Studio, on location or both?

Both have own advantages and dissadvantages, it depends on the expected result and the gear you own.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I prefer to work with proffesionals, would it be model, stylist or make up artist, and the main reason for that – responcibility and guaranteed results. So being a hobbyist I’m trying to work like a professional.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

It was two years ago. To challenge myself I asked my Facebook fans to come on a location one evening with no preparation. I promised three photos from half an hour shoot, and I squeezed this shoot into about 3x3 meters. I was was expecting 3 to five models. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately – 10 of them showed up! I had to spin arround like a crazy – these people came at the same time, and had to wait till I photographed all of them, one by one. Hell yeah, it was hot. By the way – one picture on this magazine is from that shoot.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I shoot with Canon 6D, and my favorite lens is nifty fity, but – is there a difference what camera or lens we use? If someone doesn’t feel passion in photography - no gear will help.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start

their own business?

Don’t be afraid. There must be no doubt. In any activity there is no place for weakness. If You feel it is really Your way – stop struggling, start the first step, and go on.

What do you think of our new magazine?

Oh, it’s a good idea and a great tool to get more exposure. And a perfect place to get some inspiration.

www.instagram.com/kestas.venzlauskas - www.facebook.com/venzlauskasphoto