Interview: Photographer Mariusz Żyła (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you? I live in Cracow, Poland. Photography has been in my life for over a dozen years, but yet I am still looking for ways to express myself. It is my profession but at the same time a great passion for creating something new.

How and when did you get into photography? I do not remember exactly how it started, but what I remember is that I always wanted to paint :) Unfortunately, God did not bless me with this talent, so by means of photography I paint with light instead.

What does photography mean to you? Photography is my little, private world, in which I feel good and safe and which allows me to express my feelings, emotions, and ideas.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. I believe I am working on my own style the entire time. I am looking for it, trying to reach my feelings inside and understand myself. In my photos, you can see the anxiety, which tells a story, some sort of narrative. This is exactly the direction I want to go into - tell stories about myself and the emotional states that I find myself in.

Where do you get inspiration from? From everyday life. Every day, every person I meet can be my inspiration. Anything can inspire you, but you have to look carefully at the world surrounding you, process it in your head and you have a ready image that can be your next photography.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture? Yes, I always have a project ready in my head. I imagine every single detail and frame of the final picture. Obviously, photo shoots can be surprising and not always correspond to what we have imagined, so you have to be prepared for a little bit of spontaneity.

Studio, on location or both? I don't like to do photo shoots in a studio. I prefer to take photos in more interesting places.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional? First and foremost passion! If the money goes with it as well, then I am happy. But if there is no passion in it anymore, then it means it is time to stop my adventure with photography.

What has been your most memorable session and why? I do not have one. Each one of my sessions was really interesting in its own way, brought something to my life and I look back at them with a lot of joy in my heart.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? Nikon, Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business? I think photography can be very challenging and you can get discouraged quickly. The trick is to discover your passion, nurture it and never give up, even though the beginnings can be tough.

What do you think of our new magazine? Great thing, there should be more of these types of magazines, keep it up! https://www.facebook.com/zylek7 https://mariuszzylek.wixsite.com/zylek