Congratulations to TANYA LEPP, the winner of VIRTUOGENIX FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD selected by multiple award-winning Fashion and Fine Art Photographer EKATERINA BELINSKAYA.
“I like the mood of the story. Fashion stories, even pure fashion stories, should make you feel something and make your imagination go further; and this story feeds my imagination.” –Ekaterina Belinskaya
See the rest of the images in the upcoming issue of VIRTUOGENIX: Hopes and the Pursuits of Happiness this Summer.
Stylist and Creative Director ALINA ARTEY
Makeup and Hair IRINA SHPINAK
Styling Assistant KATSU PEPE
Flower Arranger KRAFT FLOWERS
Model KSENIA SOM wearing YANAKISS dress
Interview with Fashion Photography Award Winner: Tanya Lepp
Please tell us a few things about yourself. How did you become a photographer?
I’m 36. I was born in a small city in Russia, but in the last 3 years I live in Saint Petersburg. Photography appeared in my life 4 and a half years ago when my husband gave me a camera as a present. I started to take photos of my children (I’m a mother of two). Then I tried to express my thoughts, fantasies, and catch people’s emotions with the help of my camera. So, the unusual present, I mean the camera, changed my life and my hobby became my passion and work of my life.
What do you enjoy the most about photography?
You see, for me photography is a way of speaking with the world and people, to study myself and go inside deeper and deeper. When looking at photographs, there are a few things to consider. What is the artist talking about? S/he must be talking about things that are beautiful or important for her/him. I do hope that the stories behind my pictures are clear, that everyone will understand them in their own way and perhaps what I consider “beautiful” will coincide with them and they will get aesthetic pleasure from the photographs.
How do you decide on which photo to retouch and submit to publications?
It is rather difficult for me to explain how I see the result. Usually it is a set of pieces that must be: model, look, light, atmosphere etc. On the set I allow myself to trust my intuition. I’m looking for angles, looking for mood, looking for… I’m looking and find something that has already been drawn in my subconscious. It is magic! It is important for me to create series, that is why I choose diverse photos that will be combined in a series.
What is your current photography style?
A very good question. My style is sincerity, color, light and it is always based on some kind of story, fairytale that I want to tell.
What is the story behind “Tired Under the Sun”?
it is a story about hot summer in the country or garden. The main heroine is as beautiful as an antique statue that inspired more than one artist to paint a portrait. She is hiding from the heat while walking through the flower garden and by the pond.
How did you prepare for the shoot?
Behind any beautiful picture is the work of a large team. Wonderful work of the stylist Alina Artey, professional work of the makeup artist Irina Shpinak, the model Kseniya perfectly lived her role, compositions from the florist harmoniously complemented the space. Everybody did their job wonderfully and we got a good result. I often notice that if you are very much interested in something, everything turns out. Respect and mutual understanding on the set helped us to shoot this story within 4 hours. The idea initiator was our stylist Alina Artey.
If you can create any photo series you like without any restriction on budget, wardrobe, or location … what do you want to create?
Frankly speaking, all the projects that come to my mind, I realize. I have a lot of plans and ideas. Now, I’m in the process of creating one large social project about people with disabilities. We plan to realize it in June. What concerns me, I plan to continue studying myself, create and give joy and work.
Thanks for your (Virtuogenix Magazine) interest, trust and support of my ideas.
