Photographer Anna Theodora Interview

Anna Theodora 

 I'm not sure I can put a label on Anna, given my experience with her I'd say one of the most humble, down to earth ridiculously talented photographers I know!

I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to ask her few questions and share them with you guys,

  

Introduce yourself 

Well, my name is Anna Theodora, I'm a Brazilian photographer. I've been doing photography as a hobby since 2007, but started working as a photographer in July 2010. 

When I started I was using a Canon T1i, now I use a Canon 5D Mark ll.

What is your ideal camera (doesn't have to be real)
That would be one with the same dynamic range of the human eye 

If you had to choose one lens what would it be?
probably the 35 mm 1.4

Do you prefer natural light or flash?
I actually like working with both, even though I've been working with strobes for one year only.

Indoors or outdoors?
both

Self portraits or models?
both

You are very attractive and expressive in your self portrait, have you ever thought about modelling for somebody else?
I don't think there are many photographers that like to pose for other photographers haha I most of all, don't like to.

Do you like working with models? Can you name your favorite model?
I love working with models, it's usually lots of fun. But I don't have one favorite model, there are quite a few that I love working with.

Who do you think is overrated as a photographer or model?
I don't usually think of these things, but then I remembered there's this Terrence Richardson person...

Do you like using actions?
Yes, I always use actions :)

Describe your favorite image taken by you.
I can never pick one single absolute favorite for anything haha everything has some kind of emotion or memory attached to it.

Describe your favorite image taken by another photographer. 
Same here

Do you like shooting weddings?
Nope, I shot a few in 2010 and decided that's not what I wanted to do.

If you could be anything other than a photographer what would you be?
a writer, maybe...

Do you read any photoshop related books/ articles or watch any online tutorials, if so please link to them
It has been a long time since I read anything, but I learned a lot from Natalia Taffarel's dvd on skin retouch.

What are you still learning? 
Everything

Did photography effect your fashion and style? 
It sure did haha I've started to be a little more aware of how to style myself. 

you've recently dyed your lushes brown locks to icy ones and then blue, what a daring move, tell us about that,
I had never done anything to my hair, so I decided I should, before I get too old to be fooling around with my hair like that. It was also obviously for photos/self-portraits, but then I got super busy with work and didn't have much time to take self-portraits. Bummer :(

it also seems like the change of your hair color had effected the "mood" of your self portraits 
I felt free 

If you can photograph anyone or anything in the world who/what would it be?
I would really love to photograph the whole world haha I love traveling. And there are also quite a few models that I would love to work with one day. Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne are two of them.

 What inspires you the most? 

Music inspires me the most, but books and movies too... and arts as well.

Who inspires you the most?
I never have just one source of inspiration, there's a lot of talented and inspiring people around.

How can you describe your style?  
Some people have said that there's a kind of innocence in the sensuality I picture. And a little bit of a sense of "laissez faire, laissez aller, laissez passer" 

If you had magical powers (breath underwater/fly/be invisible) what kind of pictures would you be taking?
I had always wanted to be able to fly. I'd be taking some crazy landscape pictures.

If someone asked you how can i be you, what would your answer be? 
Why the hell would you want to be anybody else other than your best self?

Follow Anna's -- Flickr  -- Twitter -- Instagram -- blog -- buy prints here

Intervew with Adnan Nawaz Khan

Feel like going on a trip?

I came across this photographer for a while now, It's not really like me to follow street style photographers but once you see the photos you'll understand.

Here we go 

  

- Introduce yourself.

Hi I am adnan, born and raised in Pakistan, lived for some time in london and currently in Netherlands.

- How did you find your passion for photography?

I have the curse or blessing whatever you like to name it , of having an observant eye, I am always noticing things around me, simplest things attract me and I always like to document things around me, I got a chance to work with few fashion photographers and that’s when I really started it as a hobby, gradually I started doing architectural shots since you know how rich the city is with its glorious build.

- Going through your photos I really felt like I was travelling with you, how do you make sure you "capture" the right moment?

At times it just happens in a blink of eye really, I end up capturing things as I witness them, at times I would see a perfect corner for a photo opportunity but would wait for people to walk by so I can make them part of my story, for me my pictures are a way of telling my story and my journey, it’s a simple thing but I know if you keep things simple and just put them across , people can take it from there . I leave a lot for imagination and it creates a sense of journey for the viewers.

- While travelling do you find yourself reaching for your DSLR or your Iphone more often?

I am guilty as charged for reaching out to my iphone, it has become my go to gear, it’s just fast, and for the kind of style I have it’s all about capturing moments as they happen and in light speed really.

- What was your favorite place to photograph?

so far Rotterdam and Breda have been fascinating here. But apart from them i love photographing London.

- Are you strictly a Street style photographer or do you see yourself doing other types of photography (composites) for example?

I actually did experiment a lot, I tried doing conceptual shots since there always are ideas running around through my head but somehow street style is what I love doing .

- Who inspires you in terms of photography?
I am an indecisive person, lots of things inspire me, many people , friends , colleagues and obviously renowned artists and their work, I can’t really name any one specifically, I like looking at and learning from anything or anyone that inspires me.

- Where inspires you in life?
Oh, my mother the most I guess. She is a balance of everything amazing about life.

- You seem to be a book lover, what is your favorite book ?
choosing a book would be like choosing between breathing without oxygen. The kite runner, raja gidh (in my native language urdu), Alchemist and Khalil jibran’s the prophet are to name a few.

- What music do you like to listen to?
I am into sufi music, but I really can listen to anything at all , depends on what kind of mindset I am  in.

- Who are your biggest supporters?
Well,I guess my friends and family obviously.

- Not so long ago you were added to instagram suggestion list, tell us about that?

 yes, that was a opportunity that came my way after my picture was selected from the world insta meet held for the Amsterdam region, it felt good to be acknowledged like that.

.
- Do you have any tips for travelling with gear?
Always travel light, don’t go for fancy gear , know your absolute strengths first and choose accordingly.

- How long have you been doing Europe Diaries?

It’s been half an year almost, I started soon after I arrived last year.

- You also created karachi diaries, how in love are you with your culture?
Very much, culture defines who we are, and being part of Karachi, the biggest multicultural urban city is amazing, you get to witness an outburst of cultures and traditions with mix of everything modern and in between as well.

- Is there any other diary your planning to start in the future?
I do have some collaborative work planned, you’ll have to bird watch my instagram to know about that.

- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you do?
After Europe i would love to explore south american countries, specially Peru to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu.

- You happen to paint as well as you photograph, have you ever thought about combining these two skills together ( like use stylus pen and photoshop to draw over your photographs)?  

Yes, I have tried doing that  and I am planning on something but I wont give that away right now.

- Have you made any online "photography" friends?
A lot, that’s the best part about all of these social platforms that you get to meet like minded people with crazy talent, I have made amazing friends all around the globe and learned a lot from them as well. 

- How did photography change your life?

I think it widened my thought process more, it makes me think and challenge myself as to how I can improve more, it’s a competitive world, I like to push my self and do better each day than before. Also the people I've met and the experiences I shared with them have been life altering in most cases.

Follow Adnan at

Instagram -- Tumblr

Announcement!! Announcement!!

Hello everyone!!

yes! I'm still alive and I'm back after abandoning my blog for two years!! TWO YEARS!! I know I'm horrible at keeping up with social media!!
but I'm here now to announce that I'm coming back with new materials and things!!

I've added some new categories and more topics to make up for my absence!

here's a little look,,,

Reem's Dream Journal 
 where you can find personal blog posts, some things that have personal value to me!

Reem's Book Reviews
 YESSSS!
I'm very happy to announce that I am going to start writing book reviews!
I've been reading a lot of books in the past two years and I can't help not to share my thoughts about them!

Randoms and Rants
Here you can find random things that don't fit any category or just me ranting about something or someone!

Reem's Product Reviews
From now on I will be reviewing products!! since I do a lot of beauty/ fashion photography, I know a thing or two about beauty products and also photography gear! so whatever you need to know, you can find it right here!

Reem's Little Creations 
I love to create new things and it's about time I share that with the world! I will be sharing ways to recycle and create awesome things from little items that are available at your home!


Watch out!! I could be posting any time :)

Photographer Shan interview

Going through my contacts on Flickr I always come across photographers that I should check more often! 

this photographer had so many beautiful images, new ideas and so much more!!

Closer look! 

Introduce yourself:

I'm Shan. 20 years old and I live in the sunny islands of the Philippines. 

Who has inspire you the most in terms of photography? 

I believe my father did. He's not a photographer but he took pictures of everything while I was growing up. So I always wanted to take pictures of everything too. He bought me a real film kiddie camera but I think the film was pretty expensive so only got to use it a few times but I'd just play with it and pretend. As for the style and artistic side, I've been inspired by A LOT of other photographers. I see something I love in their work and I'm inspired by that. So I get inspired by a little bit from everyone. I try to let them know that and send my appreciation.

What is your favourite style of photography? 

My favorite style is conceptual/fine art photography. I love how the artist can express a lot of things and really show feelings and personality through it.

What style of photography do you find challenging ?

I find fashion photography challenging cause the photographer needs a good eye for beauty/fashion and quality to be able to make a good fashion photograph. He also needs the cooperation of a team like a really good model and a stylist and nice clothes. I find that challenging cause unlike self portraits  it's hard to do it alone.

What do you look for in a model?

Someone who cares as much as I do for the output of the photograph we are trying to create. A model that knows what she/he is doing and can handle instructions and cooperate well. Most of my models so far are people close to me,  So it's fun and easy to work with them. I would also like to work with someone professional. 

Who are your biggest supporters?

My friends and family. 

What do you enjoy doing other than photography?

I enjoy reading books, singing alone in my room, watching movies. I also enjoy going out with my friends and going to the beach and traveling. :)

What are some of your favorite books, films, musicians that keeps you inspired?

whatever I just read is my favorite book, I just finished reading "The perks of being a wallflower" by Stephen Chobsky. I'm really into films so I have a lot of favorite movies but "Into the wild" and "Eat, Pray, Love" has influenced me a lot. Music, too many to mention! but music inspire me a lot in my photography! I have links of music in m Flickr page!

If you could pick one way to edit a photo would it be in black and white or color?

Color! There's so much to do and express with colors. I can't imagine doing my coloring book only in black and white .

What scares you the most?

I'm scared of snakes.

whats your favorite locations to shoot at?

The beach! Love the sun and water. 

Do you prefer indoor or out door photography?

I prefer outdoor photograph cause there's so much elements to work with and everything is natural and beautiful.

Is fame important to you?

No, not really. Recognition could be nice but it's not really my goal in life. I want to make something beautiful and maybe influence people. I think I want to influence people to feel good and enjoy  life and see the real beauty of it.

links you should know:

Shan's 

 Facebook page

 Flickr

Photographer Giada Laiso interview

As I promised,
I keep bringing more interviews with both professional and aspiring photographers!
this time I was contacted by the photographer for the interview and was more than happy to do it!
her name is Giada Laiso, she's 21 years old from Milan, Italy...


Closer look to Giada,

-Introduce yourself
Hi!
I'm Giada Laiso i'm 21 years old and i study New Technologies of Art
in academy in Milan.
I went to high school of Art and I studied painting for five years and this has greatly influenced my photography style. 

-Who has inspire you the most in terms of photography?
I think that paintings inspire me very much..because they are part of
my life and some things like point of view, lights/shadows effects and
more are strictly connected with photography.
So i love Caravaggio's use of the light and i'm fascinating by
Magritte, his paintings looks like photographs. I also love Hopper,
Dalì and Max Ernst style.


-What is your favourite style of photography?
I love surrealist and conceptual photography.

-What style of photography do you find challenging ?
Photography is challenging because you have to be creative to do it,
but i think that every kind of photography it's hard because in every
cases photographers must be original otherwise you fall into banality
and this is not what photography supposed to be.


-What do you look for in a model?
I look for the ability to interpret what I want to express, confidence
with me, naturalness.

-Name other photographers you admire.
Tim walker, Gregory Crewdson and more more more others.. their style
is so inspiring.


-Who are your biggest supporters?
My family and my boyfriend give me big support.

-What do you enjoy doing other than photography?

I love reading, listen to music, dancing, walking and shopping :)

-What are some of your favorite films, books and musicians that keep
you inspired?

One of my favourite films is Shutter Island, Everlost by Neal
Shusterman is my favourite book and i love Max Richter, Harold Budd
and Robin Guthrie's music..very "mystic" and inspiring.

-Do you think that you have your own personal signature ?

I try to combine painting with photograpy, create mistery. I
portraying people..the genre of photography that i create is what I am
most interested in.
I hope to leave a mark.

-What scares you the most?
Failure.Solitude.

-Tell us a weird fact about you,
huhh sure!
When i set the alarm clock I don't select times such as 10:00 am or
10.30 pm like normal people usually do...but my alarm clock is always
at times like 10:03 am or 10:28 pm .. My boyfriend thinks that I'm not
very normal about this fact.

-If you could create the perfect camera what features would it have?
Autofocus that works perfectly and everytime, nothing's worse than an
out of focus shoot.

-Do you recommend any websites for photoshop tutorials?
Mmmh i don't know, i don't follow websites for photoshop tutorials..i
try to learn by myself experimenting.

-What is your favorite photo taken by another photographer?
I love the series "Dream House" by Gregory Crewdson, one photo in
particular involves me so much: there's a man and a woman naked on a
mattress in an abandoned house's garden.

-What is your favorite photo taken by you?
"How distant your heart, how close your soul" This shot represent the
union between painting and photography.

-Do you think its hard to be unique and have your own style in

photography?

It's not hard to have a personal style because it's an innate quality,
i hope to be inspired forever and i hope to become unique and
original.

-Do you prefer shooting indoors or outdoors?
I prefer shooting outdoors, find new particular locations makes me
very happy..i prefer nature like woods, rocky areas, paths and fields.


-Is fame important to you?
I hope that photography will be my job, fame is not important if you
do what makes you alive.

-When you first started at photography, what were the mistakes you made a lot?
At first i didn't know how edit my pictures in the best way basing my ideas.

-Name people you enjoy working with models or other photographers or people you wish to work with both models or photographers.
If i had the possibility to work with fashion models i'd like to
combine my stile with fashion photography,
if i had the chance to collaborate with a famous photographer i'd love
to work with the amazing Jill Greenberg.
Anyway i hope to collaborate with creative people.

-Any new project you're working on?
"Painting" series is my new project, i'm working for the first time in
square format.


-Being a photography student, do you feel the need to always follow
certain rules?
I'd just like to follow what I love to do, free from any rule.

-What frustrates you the most about the world of photography?
Be overestimated or underestimated.

-If you could have anything ( photography related) what would it be?
I can't wait to be able to buy a Canon eos 5d mark II.

-If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Certainly not in Italy.
Anywhere away from traffic, in nature and seascape.

-What kind of photography gear do you use?
I’ve a Canon EOS 500D, to realize my images I use manual mode,
18-55mm, 50mm or 75-300mm lenses and sometimes a tripod;
for special shots I use a fisheye 8mm. For post-production I use Photoshop CS4.

Links you should know:

Giada's Flickr

For any kind of request to Giada email her at:  giada.laiso@gmail.com

Features:

Giada was featured in: 

get inspired magazine , Twice

I <3 ELECTRU.DE 

ASTRUMPEOPLE