Anastasia Surkova interview: For me, photography is a way to show people that they are beautiful, to help them love themselves.
Swanky Magazine Interviews the wonderfully talented photographer - Anastasia Surkova
PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT | Anastasia Surkova from Moscow, Russia.
Q1.Swanky Mag: Hello Anastasia Surkova, Can you introduce yourself to Swanky Magazine's readers? Can you tell us a little about you?
My name is Anastasia. I’m 25 years old. And I am a self-taught photographer from harsh Russia. I believe that good taste and a sense of style can be acquired through observation, skill can be developed, and diligence can beat talent.
Q2. How, and when did you get into photography?
Accidentally. I was always a kid in school who had problems with communication and had no friends. At least I thought so. Taking photos of my classmates during school trips was the only way for me to be a part of their fun. But I never thought that it could be my hobby or profession. Just a way to communicate.
We had a tradition with classmates - to give crafts for the 18th birthday. They gave me a cardboard camera and told me that I see people as they want to be, that in my shots, everyone seems to be better than they are. I understood that I can make other people more confident, I can make them love themselves (that was my own problem, so I took it very important, as a mission of my life). After that, I bought my first own camera and started organizing photo sessions.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q3.What does photography mean to you?
For me, photography is a way to show people that they are beautiful, to help them love themselves.
Q4.Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
Emotional. Elegant. Classical.
Q5.Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m inspired by the people I photograph. In every person, there is something for which you can fall in love with him. I look for these features in my clients and reflect them in the picture.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q6. Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?
Yes. I usually have at least one concrete picture in my mind, that I want to embody.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q7.Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I’m a hobbyist who makes money on what I love. I cannot classify myself as an amateur who does work of less quality or for free. But I also cannot refer myself to an artisan who churns out works and does not put his soul into them.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q8. What has been your most memorable session, and why?
The most embarrassing for me was a photo session with a homosexual couple. Initially, the boy ordered an erotic love story in lingerie along with his soul mate. Already on the set, it turned out that the his soul mate is also a boy. In Russia most of people are prejudiced towards such couples, and I didn’t know how to communicate with them. And although the guys were funny, that was my first experience for me, so it was very strange to photograph them. As if I'm doing something illegal. And I wasn’t sure how my audience will react on such photos.
That shooting was memorable also because thanks to it I reconsidered my beliefs and became a part of a tolerant society.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q9. Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
Doesn’t matter. Now I use Canon. Before that was Nikon. And the difference is almost invisible when we are talking about one price segment. If you have the ability, you can take a stunning photo with your old smartphone. And if there are no abilities, no equipment will help you.
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Model: Vitalii Arbuzov @RF Model Management
IG: @arbuzik_13
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Natalia Efimova
IG: @natasha_efii
Model: Polina Golovneva
IG: @polina.golov
Photographer: Anastasia Surkova
IG: @su_anastasia
Q10. What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Don't think that expensive equipment will do all the work for you. And look often at works of other photographers, it will help you shape your style.
Q11. What do you think of our new magazine?
I’m glad that your magazine provides an opportunity for photographers to show their view of beauty. It’s important to convey to society the idea that each person is unique and beautiful.
Follow Anastasia Surkova Journey here:
instagram.com/su_anastasia