Interview: Photographer Lena Błachowicz (Poland)
Can you tell us a little about you?
I’m a professional photographer living in Lodz, Poland. In the past I used to live in
Ireland for almost a decade and I’m absolutely in love with the isle. I’m mom of wonderful boy an wife to a man, who is my best friend. My family supports me a lot and motivates to explore new ways to express myself. I love life, music and art.
How and when did you get into photography?
I’ve been making pictures since 2009, when I bought my first serious camera to document joy and beauty of my newborn son. Throughout the next years I studied photography under supervision of many great photographers around the world. In parallel I started my own business as professional pregnancy, newborn and family photographer. I always wanted to achieve more creative outcomes and finally realized I need to release myself form the constraint of the role of the family photographer. Five years ago, in pursue of my one style, I started attending workshop led by masters of photographic portrait. Soon I knew this was my artistic way and since then I’ve been realizing my own unique projects, that combine portrait, light, emotions and storytelling into unique photographic experience.
What does photography mean to you?
Everybody who’s ever met me personally knows that I’m sensitive person, who is very receptive to the beauty and emotions. My photography is an expression of my sensitivity. It’s my way to tell romantic beautiful stories.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I recommend to anybody who wants to know my style to visit my page and experience my pictures on its own. I can characterize my style as the unique artistic portrait photography with a story.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Many forms of art other than photography inspire me. I love fine art paintings, beautiful movies, books, music and I often take inspiration from those. Furthermore, often places inspire me, especially beautiful historic places such as romantic houses, gardens, castles or wild nature. To put it short, the inspiration comes from my heart that acts as a prism by combining all the beautiful experiences from he world around me into the ideas for my sessions.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
To me each photography session is unique experience, therefore I remember them all very well. It’s hard to highlight single session, because I put a lot of efforts and heart into each project.
Studio, on location or both?
I love magic of natural light. Most of my photographs are taken with such light. Each season, each time of the day offers its own unique light. For my indoor and outdoor sessions I’m always looking for amazing light to express the atmosphere of the scene. As one can see on my pictures I often shoot in carefully selected locations that gives a visual background to my photographic stories. I adore professionals, such as Roza Sampolinska or Anton Rothmund, who shoot in studio using the
light to create cinematographic pictures focusing entirely on the model. Black and white portraits in film noir style is something I’m going to try in the near future.
Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?
Of course I do! Each scene, story, model, costume, make-up, hair style, props, location, light are directed by me. My sessions are very carefully prepared in advance, so I can explain to the model, make-up artist and hear stylist all the details. To me, each scene is part of the story I want to tell and the model is an actor playing the role with my direction.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I consider myself as an artist. I used to do paid sessions, but years ago I decided to give up on that form of commercial engagements to gain full creative freedom for my works. These days, I occasionally offer paid workshops to other photographers who want to learn about my style and work alongside with me.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
At first, when I began my journey as photographer, I used Pentax system, because its unique range of prime lenses. In pursue of superb quality for my photographs I changed the system to Canon and I’m absolutely in love with the equipment. The handling of my Canon 5D Mark III enables wide range of creativity and results are outstanding. For most of my portraits I prefer Canon 85mm 1.4 L lens that is sharp and offers beautiful blurred backgrounds. For the wider angle I prefer my Sigma
35mm 1.5 Art lens.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start
their own business?
My advice to them is to be courageous to experiment and try different forms and styles in photography. Stay true to your feelings and follow your intuition, it’s always better than blindly following trends.
What do you think of our new magazine?
From the perspective of the photographer the content is very rich and represents wealth of the forms and subjects. I love the fact that beside the photographers there are also highlights on models, makeup artists and hear stylists. It’s the work of all the people to create unique photographic experience and the magazine gives credit to them. The magazine is full of inspirations and I like to browse the new content enjoying my morning cup of coffee.
Website: http://lenablachowicz.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lenablachowicz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenablachowicz
