Acknowledgements
I thought about writing this book for a very long time. I am interested in photography and each of the photos I have created as a model is extremely close to my heart, capturing amazing moments. I also met wonderful people through photography, and they were the direct impulse to create this book that you are holding in your hands right now, my Dear Reader.
First, I would like to thank the incredibly talented Karolina Sienkiewicz. She is a wonderful photographer with great passion and can work wonders. When she sent me pictures after our session together I was just touched. The art that Karolina creates is breathtaking. I am incredibly grateful to her for the opportunity to work with her. She is a wonderful person who has really given me a lot of confidence in addition to professional photo sessions. Sessions with her provide lots of laughter and fun. Thanks to Karolina, who graduated from Warsaw School of Photography, I got to know the secrets of photographer's work. Specifically, what equipment works, how to take a professional photo, and most importantly, how to make it come out better in photos. What do I love her photos for? It's pretty simple... No matter how crazy my ideas are, Karolina NEVER says no. Admittedly, he sometimes laughs at me, but he ALWAYS fulfills my crazy cravings. That's the kind of people I love..., namely those for whom there are no borders, no barriers and are able to go crazy and take risks.
When I told Karolina about my idea of creating this book, she said "cool, we'll do it". I love that attitude <3 I guess only crazy people will put up with me, or those who love to develop themselves all the time, setting new goals and constantly fighting to achieve as much as possible in life.
My heartfelt thanks also to Irina Korshun, who is a wonderful makeup artist with a true passion. Her full professionalism at work makes me ALWAYS satisfied with the results I get as a model. The make-ups she creates are done with great care and precision. Irina graduated from Mokotowska Academy of Makeup in Warsaw, thanks to which each of her makeup is adjusted to the complexion and a woman can feel very special in it.
I also had the honor of working with Karolina Nadolska, who as a make-up artist realizes different ideas, even the craziest ones. Cooperation with her is a real pleasure and great fun. She devotes her whole heart to every project, which is best proved by the photos from our session together.
I owe incredibly wonderful effects in the form of professional photo sessions also to Agnieszka Gorska who completed professional make-up course "Make-up Your Life" by Magdalena Pieczonka, online trainings "Make-up of mature woman", "Smokey Glow", individual make-up course for advanced students by Aleksandra Szczepanek, individual workshops for make-up artists organized by Katarzyna Sójka, Intense Pro course (first and second degree) in professional make-up.
I would also like to thank Ludmila Korotych, who has an artistic soul and is a fashion designer by profession. The costumes she creates have so much soul in them that no doubt they are destined for great success in the fashion world. Ludmila studies at the School of Artistic Fashion Design and is a graduate of easel painting, which she completed at the Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow Academy.
Doing what you love is freedom
Loving what you do is happiness
The camera in Karolina's hands
Irreplaceable when it comes to creating new projects and as crazy as I am... that's Karolina. Nothing more, nothing less.
Karolina Sienkiewicz
Hi. I am Karolina!
Since I remember I've been associated in my surroundings with taking pictures. I immortalized many situations and places, in analog form and with time digitally. At the end of 2017 I bought my first full frame and I was lost! I fell in love with photography all over again, and my camera accompanies me wherever possible. Despite the falls, anger, screaming, being offended by the camera, I want to continue to expand my knowledge and absorb it like a sponge ?.
Photography gives me a lot of energy and joy. It's one of the few activities that can satisfy two extreme needs - a desire to meet people and a huge desire to be alone with my camera. It is amazing that one hobby is able to combine these two states in such a beautiful way. I am so grateful to all the people who believe in me and give me a chance to prove myself! I go my way in the mindset of Marc Riboud: "Photography is tasting life in 1/100th of a second" and my heart beats to the rhythm of the camera shutter.
Interview with Karolina Sienkiewicz:
1. Since when did you want to be a photographer? Is it your childhood dream?
My lifelong passion for photography began at an early age. Ever since I can remember I have always had a camera with me - it was like a friend I never separated from. I got my first camera, an Olympus, for my birthday as an early teenager.
I bought my first reflex camera during my studies in Warsaw. In fact, you could say that from that moment on I started to photograph seriously. I was doing pretty poorly at first, but got better with each session.
2. What is most important in your work?
Of course, my clients are the most important to me and I really want them to be happy with the photos they receive, so I put a lot of heart and work into everything I do.
When it comes to the most important qualities useful in the work of a photographer I can mention flexibility, creativity and attentiveness. These are the three most important qualities for me that a photographers must develop in themselves. However, I believe that these are qualities that are useful in any profession, but in the work of a photographer in particular. In the work of a wedding photographer, it is very common to have to adapt to changing environmental conditions. No two weddings are the same, no two baptisms are the same. Everything always happens seemingly the same - it runs more or less the same way, but the shooting conditions are always different so these 3 qualities are really important to work on. Outdoor sessions, whether wedding or engagement, can be tweaked and corrected which makes you feel more comfortable.
3. When did you start your photography business and what were the beginnings?
There was a great deal of uncertainty involved in making the decision. It was extremely important to me to have the support of those closest to me and to know that I would only find out if it was the right decision when I tried it. I have done several courses - wedding photography, portrait photography, enrolled in the Higher School of Photography in Warsaw, which allowed me to acquire and expand my knowledge. I set up my Facebook page and Instagram account. At the very beginning, I posted my work there more for myself and for my friends, but then there came people who started to closely observe my posts. After a year of operating in social media, I also set up a website, which, although virtual, is a part of me. It is a memory of meetings, joy, emotions and a reminder of all those moments that have contributed a lot to my life.
4. What challenges have you faced?
Actually, the main challenges from the beginning of my business have not changed until today. The biggest difficulty is getting clients. You can take the best pictures in the world, but if people don't know about it, getting new clients will be a problem. And to stand out in the very beginning is very difficult because of the high competition in the market.
5. What should you look for when buying a camera?
The most important element is not the camera itself but the lens. A good lens plays a key role here. I recommend investing in a bright fixed focal length lens because it allows you to shoot indoors in natural light. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the concepts of aperture and shutter speed.
6. What kind of photos do you dislike?
I don't like artificially posed photos. I like when something happens in the pictures, when emotions are shown.
7. Do you think the job of a photographer is hard?
Most people find the work of a photographer to be light and fun. Just press a button and you have a picture. With today's technology developing both the equipment and cell phones, which make it very easy to take pictures of everyone, even through the use of various filters, people consider photography to be very easy. This is very misleading, because in order to take the right picture just pressing the shutter button on a professional camera is not enough. There are many factors that need to be considered - these are technical issues such as setting and choosing the right parameters or the aesthetics of the frame, exposure, colors, etc. The final stage is the postproduction and developing of the photos.
8. What tips would you give to budding photographers?
It's worth remembering that photography rarely leads to wealth. It is hard work. Before you give up your regular job for photography, you have to realize that success is not achieved in a few days. You have to learn as much as possible, but practice is the most important. Photography is the fastest and most effective way to learn from your own mistakes. Before going to any courses or buying literature, it is best to equip yourself with the simplest SLR camera and try to learn how it works yourself. If you swallow the hook, you won't stop photographing. Before accepting a paid assignment, it's worth practicing by photographing family and friends. The more you photograph, the more you develop your style and acquire knowledge.
9. What is your favorite area of photography?
I started with landscape photography and then moved on to portraits of people and to this day I enjoy it the most. But recently I fell in love with reportage. What I enjoy the most is observing and capturing what is real and finding a way to convey emotions as faithfully as possible. I don't like too much artificiality and posing in photos. I really like photos on the move - then I can wait for the right moment and capture what I want to show. Reportage is more challenging than portraying people and I like challenges.
10. What are your plans for photography?
My plans for photography are pretty much the same as they were at the beginning of my journey. I intend to continue to grow, learn new skills, explore and capture beautiful stories. Additionally, my dream is to open my own studio ?
Art, photography and a masterpiece in one
Photography is supposed to catch the eye, magnetize and express emotions. The position of hands is extremely important here, the pose of a model which has to be kept for some time, that is until the photographer says "it's okay, we can go on". This is the feeling when you want to close your eyes, but you can't because this could be the moment... or rather one second, thanks to which all your work will be appreciated and you will get what you have worked for so long. Everything is important here... once you look at the photographer, once at your hand, once at the tree, and once your eyes are completely closed. Looks are magnetic, but a lowered gaze allows makeup to show up better in photos, which is extremely valuable for a makeup artist who needs photos for a portfolio. That's why... during the session, we think of every member of our team to make sure everyone feels satisfied. Everyone has taken the time to make the session come out the best it can and everyone cares about different shots. We respect each other's work and figure out exactly what we need before the session. This is exactly what professionalism is all about. We don't just think about what we like. If one person from the team needs serious photos for the portfolio, and another person prefers funny ones, then we have only one option... do both. At each such session the model plays the role of an actress. She has to control her facial expressions and be professional. The photographer or other members of the team, such as the make-up artist and the designer, who make the models laugh, can help to a great extent. In the case of this shoot, this is exactly what happened. And here are the results:
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
Photographer: Karolina Sienkiewicz Make-up artist: Irina KorshunFashion designer: Ludmila Korotych
