Interview: Photographer Irina Dzhul (Ukraine)

Can you tell us a little about you?

My name is Irina Dzhul. I am a photographer from Ukraine. I am an architect and artist by education, and photos have been my hobby for many years. It has been for almost 10 years.

How and when did you get into photography?

Like everybody I began my hobby from small things, but every day absorbed me. Now I can't imagine my life without photography. It all started when I was on maternity leave with my children and wanted to take beautiful pictures of my family. I never thought that it would get me so.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography for me is a way to tell a story, to raise important questions for me. Create a story in one picture so that the viewer thinks over it and can take people into another world. My credo is the harmony of people and nature. I show what a person should strive for. For harmony with theirself and everything that surrounds them. I try to talk not only about the beautiful form, but also the content. The magical world of a fairy tale, travel in time and space, an exciting dream ... what I live every day. Almost all my works are about the soul ... because in my opinion every object, creature and person has its own story: birth, growth, adventure and death. The soul is the main character and every time it takes on a new look. I have a series of works “Soul of a Tree”, where female models make trees alive through my picture. Because I believe that trees are living beings who see and feel everything. I also have several projects on social important topics: "God is One" about the fact that we all go to one God through different religions "Invisible" about people with disabilities and "Memory of generations" about historical global problems of our world, such as war, famine, catastrophe

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers?

I'm fine art photography, some people call me a fairytale photographer

Where do you get inspiration from?

Locations inspire me most of all, so I always travel a lot and come up with an interesting image and idea for each place. I am also inspired by people and beautiful outfits.

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

I try to think over all my works from idea to implementation. I create characters on images, I often make outfits and decor myself. Every my picture has its own story, so mystical and mysterious. All my works were made in different parts of the world. I love when photography tells a story.

Studio, on location or both?

I always shoot outdoors, very rarely in interiors. Because everything is real in my pictures and I don't replace the background in Photoshop, I have to look a lot for different interesting places for filming.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I consider myself a professional

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Perhaps the most memorable was the shooting at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. That shoot shows how much the photographer is ready to get up at 4 am to take the perfect picture

Nikon or Canon?

Favorite lens? I prefer Kenon. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark IV. Mainly on Canon 85mm 1.2 lens.There are also 135mm 2.0 and 35mm 1.4.

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

If you are fascinated by photography and have fun, then develop your skills. Learn the craft with joy, step by step. Join our photo academy ART5 (phone application). There are many useful and very interesting lessons

What do you think of our new magazine?

I am always happy with the magazine, especially when it shows the world of different authors and brings beauty to the masses.

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