Interview: Photographer Mónica Alcalá (Spain)

Tell us something about yourself : What defines me are my actions, not my words, but I would say that I am a sincere person that you can trust, I believe it is very hard to find these days, we live in a world full of hypocrisy, which is part of ALL our society. Being a mother has been the best experience of my life, even better than becoming a photographer. Did I already say that I am a sincere person ? Haha ;-)

How and when did you get into photography ? As a child I felt like an artist but I did not know or had the opportunity to perform. I did not like dolls or playing with other children, well, a little, but what I really enjoyed the most was painting what I saw or inventing new worlds. I told my parents, “I want to be an artist ! ” but I think they did not understand me enough and my family's resources were not enough to keep an 'artist' at home, so I decided to 'help the world' by being a social worker, but of course, it wasn’t for me and I felt so frustrated that I needed to rebuild my disillusioned world by studying architecture (technique), but still felt unhappy inside, my creative side, was still not being fulfilled, then one day, some years ago, someone presented me with the best gift I could of ever dream of, a camera, then the scene was set ! And when I began to experiment with it, I said “This is what I really want to do !” I started feeling really good inside with my new found interest, until little by little and without realising, I was being paid for my creativeness. The earth began to look really wonderful, an immense ocean to explore and experience, full of different people and places, and that's how I started to see everything with such wonderment and vigour, colour and a light, like never before.

What does photography mean to you? Photography means the light for me and light is energy and the human being is energy and the earth, water and sun are energy too, and without that, we cannot survive. I could not live without my photography, my passion, my gift.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. My style is always centred to the type of picture I am creating, when I am shoot a wedding, which I just love to do, it is a very natural discreet style, but when I do sessions with models, I love creating colourful compositions with creative scenarios (backgrounds) so that the viewer can read the photograph from left to right or from right to left, depending on your culture ;-)

Where do you get inspiration from? Inspiration can come from anything, at any time, in any situation. A movie, a conversation, a person, a look, a trip or even a bad experience can present a beautiful image.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture? Sometimes I'm planning a picture for months, until I find everything I want, and other times all I want is the present spontaneous moment to capture the story.

Studio, on location or both? Both of them. Each one has its charm.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional? I think I am both. My Hobby because I enjoy what I do, and professional because I get paid for it.

What has been your most memorable session and why? The most memorable are the sessions in which I photograph my beautiful boy, those are the photographs that selfishly, always, I keep for myself and my family.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work? I find one of the most beautiful and delicate inspirations in Orient. Wong Kar Wai's film, with such extremely delicate and elegant women, is something that really moves me, or the photograph of Mika Ninagawa, with such explosions of colour, so extremely intense.

Nikon or Canon? Favourite lens? I work with Canon because of the compatibility of using many other professional brand lenses. But I really do not see much difference between the two quality brands. What I would say is that I'm really happy with my Canon 5D Mark III. It is a camera capable of doing many things and allows me to create my vision/scene. My favourite lenses are fixed lenses, 50mm, 85mm ... the definition is bigger and when I want to blur the background it is always much more enriching, but I also work with zoom when the occasion requires it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business? I would tell them 'Try to invest your time in composing and seeing what others do not see, rather than spending big money on expensive equipment.’

What do you think of our new magazine? I am a big fan of the magazine since I discovered it thanks to a friend. It seems to me a most excellent publication, full of great stories, and promoting new talents and their works, for me, it really is a must read. www.no1photos.com https://www.facebook.com/No1photosFotografia/?ref=bookmarks https://www.flickr.com/photos/99051081@N07/albums