ALISA EFREMOVA INTERVIEW: For me, photography is the way to express yourself, tell your stories, and create your own world.

Swanky Magazine Interviews the wonderfully talented photographer - Alisa Efremova from St.Petersburg, Russia

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT | Alisa Efremova

Q1.Swanky Mag: Hello Alisa, Can you introduce yourself to Swanky Magazine's readers? Can you tell us a little about you?

Hello everyone, I'm really happy I have the opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself and my photos. Thank you, Swanky Mag!
So my name is Alisa, I'm 31 years old, I live in Russia, but was born in Estonia.
Only a few years ago I understood that photography is kind of the love of my life. So now I'm trying to escape from boring office work and to make photos a big part of my everyday life. Hope that one day I will manage to do it. Unfortunately because of the main job I do not have as much time for taking photos as I wish to have. I'm working as a crew manager in a big crewing company, but now I understand this is what I do not want to do for my whole life.

Q2.How and when did you get into photography?

This is a very good question. Actually, I started taking photos about 10-11 years ago, but it was reportage shooting.
I have a second hobby - historical reenactment dedicated to WWII, so I was taking part in WWII events and taking photos of fights, parades, military equipment of that period. Then slowly, slowly, step by step I've started making portraits of reenactors, and I understood that it's really interesting and fascinating for me.
Then about 2 years ago, I decided finally to take photography courses and to follow my dream to create my own stories by doing portrait shootings.

Q3.What does photography mean to you?

For me, photography is the way to express yourself, tell your stories, and create your own world.
It's amazing when somebody comes to you wishing to have portraits and you show this person with the help of a camera and a lot of ideas the way he can look and feel.
It's great to see people's emotions when they receive the result of photoshoots. I really love it so much.

Q4.Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

Now it's a mix of vintage and some kind of modern Fairy tale shoots when you create with the model your own character.

Q5.Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspiration from people surrounding me, from the music I listen to, and from simple things like drinking coffee in a really beautiful place but mostly it comes from people.

Q6.Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes, sure! Before arranging my photo projects I'm searching for references, they also help with inspiration and new ideas. Also, I'm writing down the way I see the shot and trying to explain it to the model as simply as possible.


Q7. Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

Now I'm more a hobbyist, but I hope that soon I could call myself a paid professional.
At least I'm on the way to it.


Q8. What has been your most memorable session, and why?

The most memorable session for me was the fashion photoshoot project in the hotel with beautiful and unusual rooms. We were working together with the model, spent more than 4 hours on 3 different looks and we did a really great job! It was very hard, but we were really happy with the result of our cooperation. It's still one of my favorite sessions. All the clothes and accessories we brought from our homes.

Q9. Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Nikon, and it's because it's the first camera with which I've started to take pictures. Now I'm using Nikon D7000, it's not modern, but I still love it.
And as for lenses, I have two favorites - the first one is Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF and the second one is Nikon 85mm F/1.8G. Mostly I'm using 50mm.

Q10. What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

The main advice is not to be afraid of mistakes. Anyway, you will do them, but it's not a crime, it's the experience which will help you to understand more and to improve yourself.

Q11. What do you think of our new magazine?

I like your magazine very much! Swanky magazine provides a big variety of photo styles, it's collecting creative minds and their ideas all from all over the world and gives an opportunity to
talented artists to share their works. I'm really happy that I became a part of Swanky magazine by giving this interview.

Follow Alisa’s Journey here:
Photographer: @reini_heydi_photos

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