by Vladimir Komlev (interview)
A nice talk with Vladimir Komlev, a talented and inspiring Moscow based photographer who presents us this sensual and emotive series featuring stunning Katya Step, enjoy!
Know more about Vladimir at instagram.com/todietoday– komlevv.tumblr.com
In a few words, tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in Ukraine, grew up in Belarus and living in Moscow. These days I mostly spend my time doing things I like: sports, design, programming, photography & videography. photography-wise I worked with IMG, Viva, Next, Starsystem & a lot of russian and ukrainian agencies.
How long have you been a photographer?
Since dec 2013, or something like that. at least my tumblr says so.
How did you discover photography?
One day I woke up and it’s like - FASHION TIME!!! so I bought a camera(that’s what u do when is fashion time), sent couple messages to people on social networks - showrooms, makeup/hair artists, models. it’s kinda hard to convince people u r worth working with when u don’t have any images to showcase, so I got tons of ignores and no’s. still couple ppl agreed to work with me, with some of those I still work to this day, for instance Muadzu (instagram.com/muadzu) pretty much did makeup&hair on all my shoots im moscow and is _the best_ muah in moscow for my type of work.
How was your first shooting? What did you shoot?
It was awful! I had studio, lights, muah, model, stylist, all working professionals & here was I holding a camera second time in my life, still everything was weird as fuck, I didn’t know what I was shooting: fashion? test? lookbook? story? I didn’t even bother to walk around and change angles or direct, shot ~3000 frames from the same angle - no regrets. model was good though, really knew how to pose and had enough imagination to improvise, since i’m not ‘put your hand there and your leg over there’ micromanaging kinda guy. but whatever, I like to shoot :)
How would you describe your style?
I don’t think I have one, having a style is limiting, it’s boring af – same shtick all over again everyday. also it is bad for business when your 'style’ goes out of date :). I like to explore and try new stuff, get out of box and improvise. maybe today it would be downbeat depressed shot, tomorrow vanilla shot, after tomorrow - over retouched shot. it doesn’t matter - the only criterion is having fun. if u stop having fun doing things, u shouldn’t continue doing them. doing same thing all over again, calling it style == no fun.
What does photography mean to you?
Everything! and nothing! I don’t think art should have meaning, u r doing art for the sake of doing it. for my team it’s precious moments we had together and memories we made, it is the stuff we live behind after us. otherwise it’s open for interpretation. I like when people can find something for themselves in my works, catch a feeling & interpret in different ways, it’s pretty cool.
What inspires you?
Extraordinary people. I stumble on a person and think - this is so wicked, I _need_ to have it too. then I start a project.
What would you like to photograph?
Some cool stuff, cool people, cars, clothes, sexy stuff, lifestyle, maybe shoot a movie(!!)
A photographer you particularly admire?
I used to like guy bourdin, avedon, lindbergh, webber and all that folk, but these days I think their kinda old school and boring and out of context and it’s ok. I think we should move on and follow and like some cool kids on behance and tumblr and not dead guys from the past.
What is happiness?
An overrated thing society is making people think everybody should have so those who don’t have it feel defective :)
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I like visiting new places, I don’t think you should live in _a place_, better have couple spots around the world, every place has something special about it.
What’s your next goal?
I was doing some video work recently, It’s pretty cool. So i’m gonna release it soon. stay tuned - you shall see :)
Credits:
Model: Katya Step instagram.com/katestepura
Makeup: Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist instagram.com/muadzu