Interview: Photographer Tomasz Stankiewicz (Poland)

Modellenland

16 nov 2019

Can you tell us a little about you?

My name is Tomek, I was born in 1969 in Warsaw, where I live and create to the present. A chemist and computer scientist by profession, but I have always been interested in arts and crafts. First, metalwork that turned into a passion for jewelry and now also photography, which occupies the first place in my life

How and when did you get into photography?

My first adventure with a photo camera started a few years ago as I traveled through far away lands and places on earth, while looking for minerals, precious, and semi-precious gemstones for my jewelry. I was touched by nature’s amazing mineral creations as well as the environments they were found in, stopped in time, their colors, smells, distinct atmosphere, and culture. I wanted to immortalize them. I and my adventures soon gained two four-legged friends of the Alaskan Malamute breed: Princess Soraya and Malakwa Creek Sikko. Watching their behavior and admiring landscapes while taking their walks was a wonderful experience, especially when coupled with the photo camera and taking photos. The magic of photography captured me completely at that time but shortly, my faced another challenge: taking photos to exhibit his art. In mid-2015, I began to seriously think about professional photography. I took photography classes, gained knowledge from online courses, started scheduling photo sessions, and taking many photos. I currently strives to widen my horizons and abilities, continually challenging myself, by always setting and achieving new goals. "Because Lifi is Beautiful" is my motto.

What does photography mean to you?

Maybe I will be banal but for me the most appealing in photography are those quiet, non-obvious moments in people's lives during sessions, in life, on the run, which sometimes can be captured and stopped. These emotions, passion and desires that can be seen in photography are what I am looking for in photography.

Studio, on location or both?

I know both types of photography well. The studio suits one session, the open air, urban city or other surroundings. I do not try to choose by force, rather I adapt to the atmosphere of the session8

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

During the session, I try to establish this ephemeral thread of understanding that allows me to create not pictures but pictures that depict history. During the session, I want the photographed people to open and show their emotions and feelings.

Where do you get inspiration from?

My unsurpassed guru is the recently deceased Peter Lindberg, come also looking for inspiration in fashion trends, among the evening walk in the city and cycling in the countryside. Life is buzzing around us and we can draw inspiration if we are open to what surrounds us

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture ?

I try to plan sessions. How to do it, make a stoyboard, print inspirations and send to the team, but it also often happens during joint meetings and conversations, I grab the camera and do some quick, spontaneous shots, It has its magic :)

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

This is my job, so I try to think of myself as a professional, the more that I charge for its performance, I try to make my work and its results at the highest possible level.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

The most probably stuck in my head session with my friend who was quite tense before the pictures. We went to the lavender field to take some nice pictures. It wasn't a bit sticky for us, there was no climate. I'm saying we are taking a break. I say, we don't do anything by force, we did a picnic, we opened the wine, we started to eat something and talked well, it all started to spin up and in the end when we started taking pictures again it was about everything I was looking for - joy, feelings, happiness. Yes it was one of the cooler experiences

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I started my adventure with Canon, first 7D then 5dm3, then 6D and finally 5dm4 but about 1.5 years ago I switched to Sony system, first A7R2 now A7m3 and it was my very good move. Earlier my favorite was 70-200GM 2.8 Sony but with time it changed and for over a year I have not parted with 135mm 1.8 DG HSM Sigma Art come slowly I am more and more tempted by 50mm 1.8 Sony and 35mm 1.2 Sigma Art lenses

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

It is not an easy piece of bread and in an era where everyone takes pictures with a cell phone, it is worth considering this career path, but if you have the desire and your view of photography, take my advice and take as many pictures as possible, because practice makes perfect 😊

What do you think of our new magazine?

I really like your magazine. It is full of works and projects at the highest level, I like to browse when looking for inspiration. Good job ! Keep it up !

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