Interview with photographer Alena Sazonova

Alena Sazonova is a Moscow fashion photographer known for a large number of creative and advertising projects. Alena collaborates with many fashion designers, talented stylists and makeup artists, as well as well-known Moscow modeling agencies. Alena's works are regularly published in Russian, European and American publications dedicated to fashion and beauty.

Alena Sazonova

1. Alena, tell us why you started doing photography? What prompted this, and when did you decide to turn photography from a hobby into a professional activity?

It all started corny, with the purchase of a SLR camera. And, as it seemed to me at that time, this should have become a guarantee of the appearance of photo masterpieces ... However, this did not happen automatically and I began to figure out how it could be !!! It took time and effort to discover many technical and artistic aspects. However, almost immediately I made a choice for myself in favor of photographing people, it was the most profound and interesting for me! At that time, I was working in the advertising business and photography was just an active hobby! But at a certain moment I realized for myself that this is exactly what I want to live permanently, and it was no longer possible to be torn into different parts! The key decision at that moment was to start working for yourself rather than for hire in the office life mode!

2. Since childhood, I have liked fashion shows and models, there have always been favorite models that were a certain ideal for me. It is interesting to know if you have the image of the ideal model? Can you name a famous model that is close to your ideal?

Oh sure! I really understand you in this)) Since my activity in the field of photography was preceded by a long career as a model, then, of course, there was a close connection with the fashion industry! And to this day, I admire the supermodels of the 90s, this is such a stunning era of beauty and personality! The ideal model for me is probably all the same Nadia Auerman. This is if you need to choose just one person! Of my favorite models, I can also name Tatyana Patits, Linda Evangelista ... Of the current stars, I also like a lot of people, but now the canons of beauty have shifted somewhat in the other direction.

Alena Sazonova

3. All creative people have dreams, they want to realize something large-scale, great or unusual. Do you have plans to shoot a dream that you would very much like to realize, but there is no way yet?

Of course there are dreams and plans and desires! I would like to do large-scale projects with serious decorations, stylistic images, fantastic locations! I have a whole collection of dream concepts, and gradually I am bringing them to life! Still, if you look back, the trend of globalization is present in my work!)))

I am also madly in love when my works take on actual life, that is, on paper, in print. It is always very exciting and emotional for me!

4. The most unusual shooting, maybe in extreme conditions?

If we talk about extreme conditions, the most striking in this sense was the shooting of the Naked in the City project, when we were shooting nude models in the center of Moscow - on Red Square, on Tverskaya, in GUM and many other busy places! The project was filmed in winter, for 1.5 months, and on some days it was -15 on the street! And the entire film crew risked not only catching a cold, but also being prosecuted for disturbing public order!

5. If you dream a little, who of the celebrities of today and the past would you like to work with?

Of course, I am often inspired by inner and outer beauty! One without the other I somehow cannot perceive.That is, the combination of a strong personality and a bright appearance attracts most of all! Certainly the number one of the celebrities for me will be Madonna. In terms of strength and energy, this is an absolutely amazing woman!

6. What kind of photographers do you like? Perhaps there are favorite photographers that you want to follow?

My passionate love for photography, perhaps, began with a passion for the work of Helmut Newton. This photographer will always be extremely important to me, magnetic, exciting the imagination! Favorite photographers include Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Erwin Olaf, Mert and Marcus, Marc Lagrange, Inez & Vinoodh, Julia Fullerton-Batten and many others!))

7. What are your immediate professional plans and goals?

Inwardly, I always strive to shoot better tomorrow than today! That is, improve your ideas, skills, abilities with each new project, do something new, go beyond your own capabilities sometimes! Fortunately, photography provides opportunities to constantly grow and move forward ... And so, I really do not like planning! Basically! In my life, everything happens in such a fantastic way often that I have no idea where it will take me in a week, for example! Therefore, I try not to think more than 2-3 weeks in advance (after all, the shooting schedule often requires organization)))

8. Can photography be considered a real art, or is it a craft with elements of art?

In some cases it is even a craft without art))))) As in other areas of creativity !!! But, probably, in photography, as in painting, and in sculpture, and in music, and in literature, the starting point, the impulse that gave birth to this or that work, is important! And the source of this impulse, first of all, is the soul, in my opinion! Talent .. too, perhaps! Skills and knowledge are also important, of course, but rather, as an opportunity to bring your idea to life! I know a lot of examples of very technically competent photographers, but art is not there! And there are many absolutely opposite examples when a person shoots things amazing in composition or emotions on an iPhone!

9. Some girls do not like to be photographed due to the fact that they are not photogenic. Personally, I cannot complain about my appearance, but I am almost never satisfied with a photo, I always see a lot of defects that are not in the mirror. Therefore, I immediately open Photoshop and start polishing the photo, removing defects, correcting colors and shapes ...

Alena, what advice would you give to those who consider themselves non-photogenic? Maybe we just have no luck with the photographers? Or is it in any case impossible without Photoshop?

I am also a very capricious and fastidious model and I am rarely 100% satisfied with my photos))) BUT, as a photographer, I can say that the end result is always the joint responsibility of the photographer and the model! That is, when one of the participants blames the other, it is not entirely fair. I almost always use Photoshop for color correction and for retouching skin and imperfections, but there are also such things as body plastic, facial expression, inner state, emotions, finally! Which cannot be corrected with Photoshop)) First of all, I would advise all girls (regardless of whether they are going to take a photo) to devote themselves a few hours and work in front of a mirror, find favorable angles, poses, head positions, looks, smiles! Every woman has them !!! Watch video clips from the filming and watch the models, what and how they do! That is, these skills are useful not only for models, but in life it is also often relevant! Well, the photographer already has his own ways and secrets of how to find winning angles of this or that person!

10. It is interesting to know your preferences in the choice of photographic equipment, which camera and set of optics?

It's not a secret for anyone that the overwhelming majority of photographers are divided into 2 opposing camps - Canon and Nikon!))) I am with Nikon from the very beginning, and I am not going to betray this brand! Now in my arsenal there is a new camera Nikon D810, lenses Nikkor 24-70mm f 2.8, Nikkor 70-200 mm f 2.8, Nikkor 50 mm f1.4.I hope that one day I will get my hands on my old camera Zenit E, and we will take pictures of beauty with it!

11. Recently, an unusual situation has developed in Russia, the exchange rate of the dollar and the euro have increased, so now there is a rare opportunity to buy many goods cheaper than in the USA and Europe. In light of these events, many can profitably buy their first camera.

Which camera do you recommend for beginner photographers? Is it worth buying a DSLR today or is it better to buy a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses?

Now, probably, this moment of a bargain purchase due to the difference in the exchange rates is gone ... But I would definitely recommend buying a SLR camera! Because it will give a person the opportunity to develop if desired! That is, if there is a need, then such a camera can always be supplemented with different lenses, allowing you to perform various types of shooting!

12. Most creative people face creative crises at some point in their lives. Have you had such periods? If you were, where did you get inspiration and strength for further work?

Of course, creative people are especially sensitive to the external environment, and internal storms can be very strong! And, besides, it is impossible to be a constant generator of ideas, it is more often a wave-like process! The rise is often followed by a decline, such an amplitude of creative activity. It seems to me that in such moments of recession, it is important first of all to accept them in yourself, and not try to fight or force yourself to create! Even at such moments, support and understanding from loved ones is very important, it is very healing! And, as it seems to me, creative "crises" or recessions can always be used for your own benefit - visual impressions invariably help me in such moments! I take myself to exhibitions, I watch a lot - painting, photography, "correct" cinema, sometimes even some architectural forms are capable of much! The most important thing is to feel and listen to your inner voice! And after the recession, there will invariably be an upswing, and who knows what new achievements it will bring!