Interview: Photographer Christina V Henningstad (France)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Sure! My name is Christina Valerie Henningstad, and I am a professional Portrait and Fashion Photographer. I am Norwegian but currently I live and work in Paris. My photos including photo reportages from the fashion shows often published in numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines.

How and when did you get into photography?

I think can say that I have always lived with photography. My dad was seriously into photography. Those time it was analog photography. We liked to take photos and then spent hours in our home darkroom developing the images. We always had at home a lot of magazines and books about photography. We often together read them and admired photos of the famous photographers.

I did not come to professional photography directly. For some time I worked as a photo retoucher and photo assistant. I have learned a lot from the professional photographers I have had a pleasure to work with. I want to thank all of them for the valuable tips I got from them. Couple years ago I decided to become a photographer myself and now I can't imagine my life without photography.

What does photography mean to you?

Well. It’s not a simple question. To me, photography is a way to capture the moment, mood, emotions which never ever will be the same. Sometimes, it's just my own way to express my mood or vision. Photography is my own language I speak with the world on. Although I am still developing my personal style in photography I hope with each project of mine it will become more recognisible and understandable for the viewers.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I’m truly passionate about taking portraits, especially on location. For me, portrait photography is something very special and it gives me great excitement and satisfaction to capture people expressing their personalities in various ways – and all in a spirit of fun!

Whether it is a commercial or private photo session, I try to capture the true personality of the person and to create a little story line around the model.

I like natural looking photos with a minimum or even without retouching. I love all this little so called imperfections what make us all unique and beautiful.

Where do you get inspiration from?

I find inspiration in a variety of things and people. Sometimes it comes from a book or magazine or a movie or an art object I have seen. But the biggest source of my inspiration is my talented, creative and very supportive team. Thank you, guys for being with me! You are the best!

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

Usually me and my crew know what result we want to achieve at the end, The wishes of our clients are always in the priority for us, but often in our own projects we like to improvise.

Studio, on location or both?

I am lucky to live in the city where almost everywhere you have a fantastic location for the outdoor shootings. I love to photograph on location. Street style is my favorite type of photography.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

To this question, I can answer that I am lucky because my hobby and my work are the same. But as a professional photographer, I offer my clients a wide set of services like portraits, lookbooks, editorials, advertorials, personal branding, coverage of the fashion shows and so on.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

All my session are somehow memorable. Every project is a new challenge for us. But every time I love making models feel comfortable in front of my camera!

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I am NIKON team J. If I had to select only one lens I think it would be 24-70mm 2.8

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

For the newcomers I would remind that a photographer is a profession for patient, hardworking and creative people. This profession also requires serious financial investments: a professional camera, good lenses, flash units, a computer, graphics programs, master classes and so on. Just beware all your investmets may not pay off soon.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like your magazine very much. It is always a pleasure to be published in “Modellen land”. And I am happy to see how it getting more and more popular with each issue.

Let me thank you for your interest and I we will do our best to come up with new projects for your nice magazine.

www.facebook.com/christina.henningstad

www.henningstad.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/christina_henningstad

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Anna Zanaroli @anna_zanaroli

Make Up & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Wardrobe Stylist: Tania Tuka @perfectlook.paris

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total look: FOLK FASHION, Make-up - LANCÔME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Yanis Garfield @yanisgarfield

MUA & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total look: PAVILLON NEUF @pavillonneuf

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Mathilda Barret @mathildabarret

MUA & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Stylist: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total Look - FARHAD RE @farhadreofficial

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Adelina Wall @adelischaa

Model Agency: Mademoiselle @mlleagency

MUA & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Stylist: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Dress - ARTURO OBEGERO, Tights - CALZEDONIA

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Snake Ninja aka Narbonnais Mickael @snake.n.inja

MUA & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Stylist: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Shirt - PAVILLON NEUF, Pants- ZAADY

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Charlotte Vallin @thalieducentaure

Wardrobe Stylist: Daniela Mvan @daniela_mvan

Art Director: Anna Boudy @anna_boudy

MUAH: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total look - OMENS. PARIS, Make-up - LANCÔME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Angele Fougeirol @angelefougeirol

Model Agency: Contrebande @contrebande

MUAH: Nayma Beauty @nayma.beauty

Stylist: Margarita Lagozha @mezhgalaktic

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Tights - CALZEDONIADress - ZARA Shoes - SENSO

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model - Anastasia Kulakova @ana_andersaale

MUAH & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Wardrobe Stylist: Margarita Lagozha @mezhgalaktic

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Hat - 12 STOREEZ

Sunglasses - LE SPECS

Blouses - ZARA

Top - ALICE+OLIVIA

Skirt - RACHEL COMEY

Belt - MANGO

Gloves - VINTAGE

Make-up - GEKA GmbH

Photographer - Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model - Evgenia Silina @evart_paris

Makeup - Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair - Olga Bachuryna @olga_bachuryna

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Top - & Other Stories

Jeans - Current/Elliott

Makeup - Lancôme

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Elsa Couturier @elsa.ctr

MUAH: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

MUAH: Zimming Guo @a.e_zimingguo

Wardrobe Stylist: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total looks - CAMERON KHAM, Make-up - LANCÔME

Model - Ryan Larson @ryan_t_larson

Model Agency: Сovermodels Management @covermodels_management

MUAH: Serguei Chatel@serguei_chatel

Wardrobe Stylist: Lucian Popescu @lucian.popescu.couture

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Coat - LP Couture, Shirt – ZARA, Tie - GIVENCHY

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Rene Manuel Nessler @renemanueln

Wardrobe Stylist: Theo Zeroual-Dupuis

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Hat - ISABEL MARANT,Jeans - H&M

Off White Oversize Pullover - JAPANESE YARN

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Mathilda Barret @mathildabarret

MakeUp: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair: Khatouna Chamsani @khato_chansani

Wardrobe Stylist: Margarita Lagozha @mezhgalaktic

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Coat – ZARA, Tights – CALZEDONIA, Shoes - 8 OTHER STORIES, Hat - RAG & BONE, Gloves - VINTAGE

Make Up - LANCOME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Hannah Weidenauer @hannahweiden

Model Agency: ENJOY MODELS @enjoymodelsagency

MakeUp & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair: Tetsuya Kaneko @tetsu3139

Wardrobe Stylist: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Blouse - SHIATZY CHEN, Skirt - DAWEI

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model : Gael Claviere @gaelclaviere

Make Up & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Administrator: Ekaterina Akhmerova @katecake999

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Jacket - BILLTORNADE, Shirt - KARL LAGERFELD

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Iuliia Belova Colussi @rockingshoking

MakeUp & Hair: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Assistant: Milana Arsoeva @milana_arsoeva

Wardrobe Stylist: Margarita Lagozha @mezhgalaktic

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Blouse – SEA, Top – ZARA, Pants - ISABEL MARAT

Hat – BRIXTON, Make-up - LANCÔME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Clément de Gasquet @clement_dgsqt

Model Agency: Сovermodels Management @covermodels_management

MUAH: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

MUAH: Zimming Guo @a.e_zimingguo

Wardrobe Stylist: Lucian Popescu @lucian.popescu.couture

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total Look - LP Couture, Make-up - LANCÔME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Antavenus Diop @antavd

Model Agency: Сovermodels Management @covermodels_management

Make Up: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair: Olga Bachuryna @olga_bachuryna

Wardrobe Stylist: Anna Boudy @anna_boudy

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Mini Dress - ANNA BOUDY, Handbag – GEDEBE, Belt - GIVENCHY

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model: Arthur Lacoste @arthyumantis

Make Up & Art Director: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair: Mariana Gritcyk @marianagritcyk

Hair Salon: Yvette Salon @yvette.salon

Wardrobe Stylist: Dace Aleksandravica @dace.aleksandravica

Set Designer: Mila Eva @mila.eva

WARDROBE CREDITS:

T-Shirt – ZARA, Make-up - LANCÔME

Photographer: Christina V Henningstad @christina_henningstad

Model - Sarah Maurizi @lolita_rose

Make Up: Serguei Chatel @serguei_chatel

Hair: Olga Bachuryna @olga_bachuryna

WARDROBE CREDITS:

Total Look - LYUBOV

Make-up - LANCÔME