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Interview: Photographer Mikael Roos (Sweden)

 

 

Tell us something about yourself

My name is Mikael Roos and I live in the southern part of sweden in a tiny apartment mostly decorated by stored photography gear! I shoot portraits and weddings.

 

How and when did you get into photography?

Some time around 17 years of age I think.. I got my first phone with a built in camera and it just grew on me from there. Can't really tell you how since there was no eye-opening event. I grew into it over time.

 

What does photography mean to you?

The simple answer is everything. It makes me feel alive like nothing else can. It's like a love affair, sometimes it makes me feel on top of the world and sometimes it fills me with anxiety, although the latter is always just very briefly! It's also starting to become my everyday job so I guess it means more and more to me every day!

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I know I'll sound like a douchebag now but; Style is something that can only be described in retrospect when a photographer presents a body of work that has been done straight from the heart, which is no easy task. To leave out all the fantasies of what you wish your photography looked like and just shoot what comes out of the mind. Although, I can tell you that I always aim to make true and natural images, from the look of the model to the poses and lighting and editing.

 

Where do you get inspiration from?

From everything I see and hear. Inspiration is very difficult to put your finger on as thoughts just appear in my mind from seemingly nowhere. I guess that beautiful movies are a big part of what shapes my ideas. of course I have some peers; Zack Arias and Joey Lawrence both make beautiful portraiture work and I aim to be as good as them one day!

 

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Of course! I always go to a shoot with an over all plan, like a theme and different scenarios. This is also communicated to the model so that he/she knows the plan and what is expected from them! When the shoot takes place it might not turn out like intended due to outer circumstances or because a completely different idea pops up.

 

If one does not have a plan I believe the photos won't turn out as good, since you just run around the scene without a plan and shoot a little of this and that. Since I started planning out everything from clothing to scenarios and poses my pictures started to turn out better.

 

Studio, on location or both?

I'd have to say on location! Theres just so much more for the model to interact with and it looks more real! Although I live in a country where the weather only allows comfortable outdoor on location shoots 7 months of the year so I am kind of forced to like the studio as well.. Also I borrow a lot of hotel rooms in the winter time for boudoir work.

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I do charge people for my work and I always act professional so yeah, paid professional!

 

Although a lot of shoots are done just for the hell of it, so maybe one day I am a hobbyist and another day I'm a paid professional? I know a lot of photographers who are paid but act very unprofessional. Important not to get those two terms mixed up  ;)

 

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Can't name just one, But I guess that the ones I typically remember the most are the ones that didn't turn out that good.. pretty ironic.

 

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

Instagram haha! I see a lot of cool shots there every day and one can't help picking things up.

 

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Canon for me. I don't think one is better than the other performance wise. After all it's the person behind the camera that makes the difference. But the grip feels better for me on the canon and there is a big market for used gear at affordable prices. Right now my favored lens is actually the Sigma Art 35mm f1,4. Beautiful focal length, beautiful bokeh and tack sharp at a really reasonable price.

 

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Believe in yourself and do things the way you want to do them. Don't try to emulate what some one else does, that never works! That goes for everything from how you photograph to how you market yourself and so on.

 

What do you think of our new magazine?

It's lovely! I'm intrigued by the fact that you pick up small time guys like myself. Often times it's more interesting to read what up and coming people are thinking rather than long time professionals who always tell you the same stuff :)

 

You Facbook or website

 

My instagram is the most up to date media: @therealmikaelroos