Interview: Photographer Umut Kiran (Umut Photography) (Germany)

Can you tell us a little about you? My Name is Umut Kiran I am 22 years old and live in Frankfurt/Germany. I started with photography when I was 18 years old. First it was my hobby and i shoot only just for fun. After a while I started to shoot hobbymodels. I was studying machine engineering at the University of Frankfurt. In the 4th Semester I quit studying because i found my passion in photography. I am really ambitious what I learned by doing boxing. When I lost a fight I didn't give up I became stronger and continued. I want to reach my goal to be a great and well known photographer.

How and when did you get into photography? I borrowed a camera from a friend and simply started taking photos on the wedding of my aunt. It was just for fun but I already realised at that time how much of a fun factor that was and noticed my passion for photography. Some time later my mother bought my very first and own camera for having passed my A-Levels. Since April 2017 I am a professional photographer.

What does photography mean to you? For me photography is form of art. A form of art giving people the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts through pictures. Simply: The art of Photography.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. I think this is one of the hardest and most complicated questions a photographer has to answer. I would say that I have a pretty fancy and eccentric style. The more fancier and eccentric it is, the more I love it. I try reflecting this on my pictures. I assume that with the years my style will change several times due to the fact that people develop and evolve with time. You don’t have the same personality you had for example 15 years ago. I try to stay real. Let’s just see what the future brings.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture? Of course I do think a lot about when I plan shootings and think about my photos. First I do a mood board to have all my ideas together and when I'm on site sometimes it changes a bit. However most of the time spontaneous photos becoming the best photos.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work? Inspiration and creativity are the key. I get inspiration from fashion magazines and printerest and do think about what story I want to tell with the photos. I do brainstorming and write down all my ideas and then all comes together. I also get inspired from one of my favorite photographers the art partners mertandmarcus.

Studio or on location? Definitivly I love to Shoot at locations, because the atmosphere is the best there. Of course I like to shoot in a studio for campaigns but I prefer locations.

Nikon or Canon ? Canon! I often use the Sigma Art 35mm and my allround lovely lens 24-70mm 2,8 ||. I love the Art Series of Sigma. Its one of the best objektives.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional? Well I started my own business last year(2017), that's why I would say I'm kind of both.

https://www.facebook.com/UmutPhotography1