Interview: Photographer Marcin Laskarzewski (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Hello! I am Marcin Laskarzewski, fine-art and portrait self-taught photographer living and creating in Poland, exactly in Szczecin, the city in northern-west part of the country. I feel like I am combination of two people – the first one is the Dreamer, some kind of artist, who loves create beautiful worlds and stories in his mind and show beauty of people souls using photography as a medium. The other guy is the Scientist, more logical, who always ask questions and is looking for answers, explanations, especially in areas which are barely discovered. For last 5 years they were fighting which each other in some way, because one part of me wanted to create, to photograph, and the second chose science to. This year, when I’m 24, I graduate from a master's degree in microbiology and I would like these two guys finally work together to create great things in a future life.

How and when did you get into photography?

Adventure with photography began at the age of secondary school, when I was 12 or 13. My sister gave me a camera, a little compact. I started to photograph objects, like buildings, cars, then more nature, landscapes, flowers and bugs. When I bought my first DSLR I tried more macrophotography. I didn’t start with people because I was scared of them and I was really shy. The next step was when I decided to choose my high-school in another, a lot bigger city – Szczecin. Photographing people was a great way to overcome my shyness which bothered me for many years. Through high-school time I was looking for my own style and I even had my first exhibition.

What does photography mean to you?

It is the way to show and express a part of me. Beauty is not only for eyes, but through your eyes you can feel it. In creating, I get to know better what is inside me, not always available for consciousness. Maybe, when you will look at my pictures you will know me better, or maybe after see your reaction you will better know yourself?

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I am creating scenes which are not possible to catch during normal life, but in a dream. I’d like to make something unusual, deep, strong and dreamy, fairy tale.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Really good source of inspiration are paintings. I love especially pre-raphaelite style. Sometimes I see something interesting during a dream or meditation, listening to the music also helps me feeling more, especially Hans Zimmer’s. You just can’t feel nothing listening to his music! And of course people. They are really inspiring.

Studio, on location or both?

Definetely I prefer location, it gives your mind more space to be crative, but also I am doing simple portraits inside.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Mostly I’ve got a brief vision, an element I would like to show, framed with the rest of picture. Sometimes I sketch the picture before and sometimes I am creating a story just during the session.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I created and I will be creating just to express myself and also to meet gorgeous people, but I am thinking about building my own brand and this is a secret, so don’t tell anyone :).

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I usually photograph people several times, so the most memorable sessions are the first ones, when I meet them. They are giving me a part of themselves, their privacy. It is really memorable when you meet a great person. I am really thankful for that.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I’ve been always use Canon, never tried Nikon. Currently I am using 50mm f1.8, and 28mm f2.8, but looking for something new, so we’ll see which one will be favourite next year.

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

Be sure that you’are creating something, which gives you satisfaction.

What do you think of our new magazine?

It is really well-designed and contains a great amount of inspiration. You are giving people opportunity to meet great artists, and I am really thankful I could be part of it.

https://www.facebook.com/marcin.laskarzewski.fotografia/

https://www.instagram.com/laskarzewskiphoto/