On the relationship with a model
Most of my work is personal, which allows me to choose model, location and light. All of these aspects are fundamental, but in here I’d like to focus on the relationship with a model.
It is extremely important to me to work with a model that could potentially be my friend. And by friend I mean a person who shares my sensitivity and view on life. I’m not interested so much in her beauty, but rather in her personality. That’s for two reasons. Reason number one – personality speaks louder than beauty. Reason number two – I like feeling comfortable and at ease with a person I have in front of my camera.
I wasn’t aware that this aspect was so important to me. At the beginning I assumed that just anyone was fine for a shoot. But I soon realised that subconsciously I kept selecting models with certain character traits – gentle, feminine, soft-hearted and smart. Generally in life I have a tendency of avoiding dominating, loud people and I do the same when choosing a person to photograph.
When working on a photograph I need to feel the flow, I need to feel that me and my model understand each other without words, that there is harmony and balance between us. When the relationship doesn’t click, the shoot is like driving on a bumpy road. I may still get to my destination, but tired and irritated.
As a photographer, I expose my feelings and ideas to the model I photograph and for that reason it is fundamental that I find understanding and acceptance from her. As much as I need to feel accepted, so does she. After all, the making of a photograph is an exchange and each of us needs to give something of hers.
My model for this shoot, Magda, seems to be born to work with me. She is sensitive, cooperative, gentle and calm, but at the same time she is open to the most crazy, weird and wild ideas. This shoot was done in one of many beautiful parks in Warsaw, Poland. The day was a little rainy and humid, which kept people away from strolling the paths and gave us more space and freedom. We spent hours in the bushes, fighting off mosquitoes, inventing stories, giggling and shooting. And here I would once again like to thank Magda for our amazing cooperation and I very much hope it was just one of many to come.
