Interview: Photographer Anna Kryza (Poland) Winner Of the Month
Can you tell us a little about you?
My name is Ania Kryża. I am a photographer from Poland. I am a econometric informatician by training with the specialization of computer graphic and multimedia. I am also Master of Management and Marketing.
How and when did you get into photography? From a young age i was fascinated by photography. I was stealing analog camera from my mother and sister, but during that times i had problems with gathering money for film or develop a photograph. Over ther years I finally managed to buy my first camera. I remeber how hard I have been working and saving every penny from my first job at aquarium. When, in 2008, I bought first SLR camera I was crying like a baby with happiness. During that time I was studying in high school where I have met many, many great people who accepted me without looking at my financial status and clothes that i was wearing. They were crazy, positive artists who acknowledged me and infected with their passion. First time in my life I could finally be myself.
At the beginning of my adventure i was phothographing the landscapes and animals. During that time i did not have time to show my work to my friends and besides closest family, no one saw my photos. That state of thing held until I my life changed again by falling in love in filmmaker. Christopher gave me and my work interest and support which I very needed. He was motivating me and with him every concerns dissapeared. I think that because of this things I could really spread my wings. I am very thankful to him for being such a great person.
During 3 years my career developed in express tempo and I am sometimes horrified how many people is counting on me now.
What does photography mean to you?
At first glance this question can be simple and obvious but the answer is a little more complex. Photography is an incredible adventure, passion, feelings, freedom. I never thought that I will be ever able to be so free in expressing myself and that i can be someones inspiration. From my photos I am expressing myself, what i feel and what i think. I also never considered that I will be stopping time and saving people memories who are so close to my heart. Photography is something very personal for me. It is like breaking into someones privacy, sort of poking around with permission of poked person. Fun fact is that in regular life i see everywhere frames and presets.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
It is hard for me to crealry describe my photography style. For the long time I have had trouble with determining the style of my workings. I was afraid that I am a photograph without style and that people who will see my photos will not notice that I was the one who made it. However during the time I have gained more and more experience and my photos and my style started to be recognisable. With the method of trial and error I determined my aesthetics feeling. People, when they looked first time at my photos, were surprised because the never saw workings close to that. My style is my colours, my frames, my ideas and expressing of "secod me". I can not explain it in the other way.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Inspiration in my work are the people, because it is them who are beautiful and the most cruel in this world. I am inspired by stories, experiences and feelings which can be easily seen in the eyes and body of human. There is so many emotions hidden in poses of models, so much pain, emotional baggage, happiness, love in people. When I am looking and listening to the person and when I see the place of work, in my head I creates the vision of the frames and emotions which i want to pass to the viewers. I love the models who can put their all trust into me, who put themselves under my authority (no matter how bad it sounds). It does not mean that I do not respect the creativity. Nowadays, creative people are very rare. Everything is served on a platter and people are only impersonators.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
I think very often about specific frame, but sometimes it is just a spotnaneous decision. I also make many decisions about particular photo during its editing. I would rather not constrain myself with specific thought but would rather give myself a back door to spontaneous imagination.
Studio, on location or both?
I definitely prefer exterior sessions. Natural light is fundametal to my photographies. I like when the plece is setting the whole session. Exterior is often surprising form me an it is boosting my creativity. I also work in closed rooms which can be used in the interesting ways but in 99% I use only natural light of those rooms.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I can say that when I started making photos in 1999 as a hobby and during years it turned into fully professional photographer. Since young age it was my passion and pleasure. Now it is my job and love of my life.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
I have more than one memorable sessions so I can not tell which one was the best. I will only say that the best sessions was during winter where naked models worked in snow in temperature under 0ºC. There were also very interesting the session on the beach where we used up 3 liters of milk to sprinkle on the model. I think that sessions which i like the most are the ones where models are going beyond their comfort zone.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
For me it is a question type of: Lamborghini or Ferrari?. Now I am working with Canon 6D mark II and it is very comfortable and altough my first camera was Nikon, I do not regret the change. Recently my favorite lens is 35 mm f / 1.4 .
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
My best advice is: "look before you leap". Starting own buisness is often bonded with work in the way that the client want us to. Sometimes we have to do something against ourselves because of client vision. Its especially hard for us- photographers who highly values freedom in their work. When starting Your own company think about who will be Your clients and prepare your mindset for all kind of uncomfortable situations.
The next advice is that this work is related to efficient managment of time and money so before starting make a good businessplan.
On the first steps You will have to work 25 hours a day but You still need some time to rest to not overwork yourself- thats the last and maybe the most important advice.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I think that Your magazine is showing the truth about street photography which i highly respect. It is a great support for non-comercial artists and hobbysts where social status does not matter.
