Interview Photographer Sylwester Zacheja (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Hi, I'm Sylwester, like Stallone or cat Sylvester :) Almost 54. I was born in Warsaw, Poland. I'm a proud father of two beautiful daughters. I'm an engineer with the soul of an artist :) For years I was working to newspapers as a printing and IT specialist supporting press rooms. The DTP (desktop publishing) of magazines and newspapers has no secrets for me. Colour management is one of my interests. I love to travel, eat good food and drink good wine and coffe. Love yourself is my slogan.

How and when did you get into photography? My adventure with it started at secondary shool. I was going for trips with the analog camera of my father - FED3 (made in Russia). Still I have prints from that time. I have always combined my travels with photography of landscapes and animals (including birds). In 2011, after the expedition to Ecuador with my friend I published an album - Treasures of Ecuador and Galapagos Islands.

Photo shooting people I started in 2011. In my career I cooperated with a lifestyle magazine "Aktywna Mama" shooting editorials. I'm proud of my cover in Practical Photoshop all over the World.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography takes a big part in my life. For family it is a bank of memories. For me is a motivation for being active, take a camera for a bike trip, meet people. Effects give a satisfaction. For myself. Likes on Instagram are not so important ;)

Where do you get inspiration from?

From the Masters of Art - painters, other photographers. Sometimes it is yesterdays dream :)

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I'm a type of observer. In contact with model I give only suggestions about posing, not direct instructions. Than I catch the moment. That's it. I usualy shoot portraits, boudoir photos, lingerie, nude but fashion is my target as well.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

I'm trying to plan every time. Improvisation is creative but takes time during session. You must have at least a draft vision before. I hate working with pression of time.

Studio, on location or both?

Most of my photos I take on location (indoor and outdoor) but studio is the place where I can feel well. Lately I've been using my Profoto B2 lamps outdoor.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

Photography is my passion. I can explain my experience as a professional but I don't live from photography. During a year I get some paid work.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

There are two sessions I'm proud of most: - order from a Polish Goverment - a series of 48 sessions of fathers with their children all over Poland - published brochures, calendars and billboards - about 9500 km in a month - why? a really big challange - I proved can do it! - my charity project, calendar for 2016 - a night fashion shooting in Museum Łazienki Królewskie in Warsaw like the Dior's session with Rihanna at Wersal (Secret Garden) - why? my personal success apart from huge amount of work, logistics, and stress.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Since 1994 I've been using Canon cameras - analog ones, later digital. Now I have EOS R and EOS 7D II. Best lenses - Canon EF 100-400 IS for animals, Sigma 50/1.4 Art for people. For some serious work I rent PhaseOne XF with their lenses.

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

Watch albums of famous photographers as inspirations, watch tutorials on YT, be creative. And trust yourself. It's like sport - training makes masters :)

What do you think of our new magazine?

It's a great idea for promotion and making contacts all over the World. My magazine Nago will be a quite similar idea but specially aimed to nude photography.

https://www.facebook.com/sylwester.zacheja

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@sylwesterzacheja @boudoir_isylwester @nago.online

https://isylwester.com https://nago.online