Tell us something about yourself
My real name is Liudmila Shirobokova. I am from the russian city Izhevsk. When I was little I always liked to draw and looked at magazine illustrations. Even back then I wanted to be a part of that industry.

 

How and when did you get into photography? 

As a young girl I had interest about the fashion industry, but I was also fascinated by people's emotions and psyche.

When I was 18 I started to work with a russian model agency. I got a job in South Korea and there I saved money for my first camera. It was a Canon 40D. The first pictures were of my friends and colleagues.There I discovered that shooting triggered something in me.

 

 

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is all about drawing with light and saving moments. In this job I can really express myself. I love to catch emotions. I try to reveal their inner world in pictures, make them look at the photo and see a different side of themselves . My models are beautiful, magical and unique.

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers
Mostly i do fashion photoshoots. Of course I do art, nature, industry, family shoot as well. But my passion is FASHION.

 

Where do you get inspiration from?

My big inspiration is Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, great photographers like Mario Testino and Alexi Lubomirski and of course beautiful people around me.

 

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Me and my models always prepare before photoshoot. We imagine style, look, make up and poses. But when the model are in front of the camera she express her own feelings and her own character. So picture become unique.

 

Studio, on location or both? 

Just a few month ago I prefered to shoot only on location, but now I think studio can bring something interesting too. Location gives more possibilities. Model can interact with the environment, with the world. In studio all attention is only on the models. So it´s more hard work for them.

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

Professional of course. I am growing, learning and spending all my time with photo. Hobbyist can not afford it.

 

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I think my most memorable session was in Dubai one year ago. It was a photoshoot for a famous it-girl there. We had an amazing crew. It was professionals from all over the world - creative director who worked with George Clooney, make-up artist of Kim Kardashian, popular italian film maker.... It was an amazing experience! I learned so much! And you know what? Those I worked with are also incredibly nice people, even if  they have worked with the world's biggest stars. That was amazing.

 

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

I think that was also the biggest source of inspiration for me.

 

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

All my my life I used Canon but now I changed to Sony. And I love it. The lens i prefer is the 85 mm.

 

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

To become a good photographer you should start with having a strategy ... Skillfully apply themselves in terms of PR. Start a blog, instagram and work constantly with them. As for how to become a good photographer: first, follow all the fashion news, magazines, photographer´s work, try to understand what makes a picture unique, secondly, learn how to work with light and Photoshop, photographers  should be able to do it with "closed eyes" and, third: work, work, work hard! 

 

What do you think of our new magazine?

I love Modellenland. It´s very fresh magazine, with art and fashion editorials. I love that you give opportunity for artist to promote themselfes. To show our work and express our feelings. That´s  a big thing for us!

 

http://www.milaritz.com