Interview: Photographer Ektor Angelomatis (Malktime Photography) (USA / Greece)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I’m a photographer who grew up in Greece, but luck played its part and I have ended up being based in Los Angeles, California and Athens, Greece. This has meant that I’m able to work with amazing models and designers on both continents. It’s a wonderful sensation to meet and collaborate with people coming from such different backgrounds around Europe (Paris, London, Frankfurt, Athens) and the U.S. (Los Angeles, New York, Boston). From conceptual ad campaigns to personalized photo sessions, I love to hand-pick talented stylists and makeup artists, source cutting-edge garments, and scout unique venues for each project.

Whether I’m photographing models in a costume designer’s latest collection, or working with a private client on a boudoir shoot, creating artful images and fine-tuning the smallest details is my real passion.

How and when did you get into photography?

For many years I was an amateur landscape photographer not following my real passion – which is fashion and boudoir photography. I studied law in Greece, and then actually pursued a law career, until I found myself in Los Angeles at the age of 28. There, the pieces fell into place and – quite randomly – I met someone who showed me that it’s never too late to follow my dream. That’s when I really decided to pursue professional fashion photography. Surrounded by art-thirsty and talented people in L.A., I made my first steps into fashion. The rest is history!

What does photography mean to you?

Fashion and boudoir photography is about trusting the process, and identifying what each individual contributor has to offer. It’s about creating a perfect moment – a perfect pose – and then that instinctual click of a button when what your eye sees resonates with the image inside you.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I prefer a relaxed approach in most of my shoots. Although I plan the look and feel of the shoot thoroughly in my head in advance – envisioning the outcome and discussing the concept with the model, stylist, and my hair and makeup artists – at the end of the day, I do not overwhelm the models with instructions. I let them do their thing and I am there observing, capturing the images I need.

Where do you get inspiration from?

That’s a tricky question. It would be fair to say that I get my inspiration every day, from every single thing around me. If you take the time to observe, there is always something around you to inspire and uplift you. Certainly, the works of the fashion and boudoir greats are important, always teaching and guiding me: Newton, Penn, Cubitt, etc. But at the end of the day, in the midst of a photo shoot, the inspiration flows through the connection I have with the person I am working with.

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

It is a good thing to have a sense, in advance, of what you want, to have covered the ground of the work you are going to do. But, I am always prepared to change my perspective. I have found myself on numerous occasions where the planned shoot ended up being so much more than I’d prepared for, giving so much more imagery than anticipated. I find that if I’m there in the moment, letting the flow of the photoshoot guide the camera, the outcome is always a great one.

Studio, on location, or both?

Both. No question about it. There are things that cannot be done on location and things that cannot be done in the studio. It all depends on what you are going for – what vibe you want, what lighting you need, etc.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am a paid professional. But, I still enjoy working with models for free and helping them build a portfolio, and I also find it rewarding to shoot with everyday women who never thought of pursuing a career in modeling.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

That’s a difficult question to answer. I would have to choose a shoot I did on a whim, literally at the last minute, in Runkel, Germany. I was there with some friends on vacation and was not planning on shooting. Xenia, an amazing German model, reached out to me and we scheduled a casual session, not having any expectations, but rather in order to connect. It was seriously one of the most fun shoots I have ever done, and we got amazing pictures out of it. (Xenia, if you’re reading this: thank you!)

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

That would be Canon for me. The 35mm is a favorite, but I also find myself turning to the 50mm often.

What is one piece of advice would you like to offer a new photographer?

Do it. Go all the way in. Hussle. And then hussle some more. Conviction always pays off. And never ever stop practicing. Try out new things. Perfect old techniques. Keep clicking.

What do you think of our new magazine?

Absolutely love it. I have been following you for quite some time on social media and I am happy you have decided to allow your readers to download PDFs of your issues, and have the option of ordering and receiving them in print. The layout and the selection of artists and imagery is astounding in every issue!

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Website: www.malktime.com