Interview: Photographer Michał Laskowski (Poland)

Tell us something about yourself. My name is Michał Laskowski and l am 30 years old. I was born in Toruń but currently I live in Wrocław. I work as a frontend- developer. I like speedway and movies.

How and when did you get into photography? It was about 4 years ago - I am technical guy so i read some technical blogs. In some of them I found nice article about basic photography. It was about the Exposure Triangle how to set up ISO, aperture and time. That was so interesting to me to try this myself. So I took the camera and began trying to set the correct exposure. I didn’t know yet that I would take pictures of woman. The beginnings were not easy, but I wanted to try something different. One year later I went to photography workshops. I met there Nicholas Javed - my mentor. He was the person who taught me a lot of knowledge. He gave me a lot of energy, a lot of passion that I could believe in myself, my abilities. From that moment I knew what I want, my photography became better and better from one session to another.

What does photography mean to you? Maybe it sounds weird but photography is a part of my live. When I get back from my work, I sit down to my computer I’m looking for inspirations to new photoshooting or I retouch my latest photos because I can’t wait to see the final results. Photography gives me a lot of energy and mostly satisfaction. I can relax during the session, especially when I have an opportunity to meet amazing models that have great personality.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. It’s very difficult question to describe my own style. I shoot only woman and it’s because their gentleness and sensuality are a great inspiration for me. I want to capture the moment, show emotions on my photos. I shoot portraits, sensual/boudoir and art nude. I love when model look inside the lens and it seems to others that she is looking right through them at the final effect. I love ambient light. My pictures are very natural because of warm tones. Retouch here is very minimalistic. It is almost not-needed.

Where do you get inspiration from? Movies, retro albums on instagram, music and also from other photographers because we can always learn something from each other. I also love to work with music on.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture? It depends. Sometimes yes, I know exactly what I want to do. When there is a good place, beautiful model what could possibly go wrong? :) But mainly I have an idea, then I look at the location, I think about the place, possibilities, light, model, then I choose what we can do in this location and modify the idea during photoshoot.

Studio, on location or both? Usually location. I don’t mind studio but I like outdoors in summer and also indoor shooting like some beautiful apartments/interiors when it’s better atmosphere to work with models - not in rush as in studio.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional? I am a hobbyist photographer, it makes me free in creativity. I can choose the people with whom I want to work and find a beautiful place. But maybe in the feature I will became a paid photographer. I don’t know yet what will bring the future.

What has been your most memorable session and why? I have many memorable sessions but two are very important for me. The first was about 2 years ago with my friend. I was living in Toruń, and I need to go near Warsaw where we were supposed to meet at horse stable. She got 2 beautiful dresses - white wedding dress and a red one. The weather was beautiful that day and an amazing sunset appeared to us. We had specified plans and we made them done. Photos went even better then we thought. It was important session for me. At the beginning of this year I had some crisis in my photography career and also in my personal life. I wrote to one beautiful model if it’s possible to work with her. She agreed so I had gone to Kraków in next 3 days and we have met there. The weather was awful, the apartament was not perfect with only one big window so not much light inside but this was a challenge for me. Cooperation was so great, the atmosphere also and it appears that she has a great personality too. We made a wonderful photos. It gave me a lot of positive vibes. I started to believe in myśelf once again. Thank you Kate!!

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work? People with whom I worked, Internet, albums and other photographers.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? Nikon. I have D750 from about 2 months I have also my "old" D7000. I work only on prime lenses - my favourite one is 85/1.8

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business? Be yourself, do what you want, what gives you happiness. Do not listen to the neo-verbal opinions about yourself (I'm not talking about constructive criticism).

What do you think of our new magazine? I liked it! Many inspirations and interesting interviews. And now it’s nice to be a part of the issue. It’s a pleasure for me! Thank you :) You Facbook or website.

https://www.facebook.com/MLaskowskiPhotography/ http://michal-laskowski.pl/ https://www.instagram.com/michlask/