Interview: Photographer Florian Staffolani (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Hi, My name's Florian Staffolani and I'm a french self taught photographer living in the beautiful country of Poland for four years.

How and when did you get into photography?

I start doing photographs when I was student in ecology by shooting flowers and insects. From my point of view I really get into photography seven years ago when I broke my leg. Unable to walk a lot for a couple of months I started doing portraits in studio.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is a way to use reality to create story. Even if I do lot of creative stuffs, like sewing, painting or wood work, only photography gives me creative fulfilment.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I'm still experimenting a lot, but I do like very grafic pictures. Sometimes I just want to do something beautiful, sometimes I try to use personal emotion or preoccupation to produce an image who may make react people.

Actually I will probably focus my work on portraits and get more and more in boudoir photography.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I can spend hours decorticating pictures composition and lighting plan from famous photographer, and I think I learned a lot by doing this.

Inspiration can come from almost everything, even someone or a situation in the street.

Nowadays, with mobile application like pinterest or instagram you see tons of images but you may also loose yourself.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

I never start a session without a specific idea. Sometimes I even make some drawing before the photoshoot. Once I got what I want or if model gives me something interesting I like to improvise.

Studio, on location or both?

90% studio, I just start to do projects on location very recently.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I'm a passionate photographer who just start to be paid for my work.

But I still do a lot of collaborations with models.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

For sure, it is my first session with Mika for my project “Carre Rouge”. Every session was usually 1h30-2h long, but Mika posed in the box at least 3 hours. She was completely gone and didn't listen to me when I told her I had everything I needed and did'nt see that I've stopped shooting for the last 30 minutes. It was an impressive performance.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Nikon since I bought a D700 long time ago and a couple of prime lenses. My favorite focal is 85mm because I did lot of portraits in studio but I do use more and more 50mm.

Actually a part of my upcoming project will be made with a large format camera that I built last year.

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

Never keep trying, you may be lucky one time.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I just discovered your magazine recently. I think this is interesting not only to show great pictures but also share interviews from people involved in photography.

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