Today’s spotlight is somewhat closer to my heart than usual
– I’ve interviewed my own husband !!! Photographer Kurt Paris. Whilst normally, I make these interviews about people not too directly linked to me, this time I’ve made an exception. With
his recent nomination for Best Fashion Photographer in this year’s
Malta Fashion Awards (happening this Sunday) and the
launch of his renovated website Kurt Paris Photography,
I thought my readers should find out a
bit more about him, after all his photos are a regular presence on this blog!!
– I’ve interviewed my own husband !!! Photographer Kurt Paris. Whilst normally, I make these interviews about people not too directly linked to me, this time I’ve made an exception. With
his recent nomination for Best Fashion Photographer in this year’s
Malta Fashion Awards (happening this Sunday) and the
launch of his renovated website Kurt Paris Photography,
I thought my readers should find out a
bit more about him, after all his photos are a regular presence on this blog!!
So, Who is Kurt Paris ?
I’m a pretty relaxed individual with a love for photography of people 🙂
When did your interest in photography first begin ?
I’ve loved playing with cameras a far back as I can remember, however I had only ever taken it up as a hobby before I decided to splurge on an SLR. My
first camera was a Canon 350D and it gave me the opportunity to make the hobby
my own, rather than have to beg/borrow/steal family equipment. My interest
became an obsession in 2008 when I was introduced to the world of
“People” photography. Since then I’ve never looked back – this kind
of photography is a great way to express myself artistically and also meet a
bunch of great people too.
first camera was a Canon 350D and it gave me the opportunity to make the hobby
my own, rather than have to beg/borrow/steal family equipment. My interest
became an obsession in 2008 when I was introduced to the world of
“People” photography. Since then I’ve never looked back – this kind
of photography is a great way to express myself artistically and also meet a
bunch of great people too.
When did it actually turn into a profession ? Which branch of photography
do you feel you excel at most ?
do you feel you excel at most ?
Photography is more than a profession. Luckily for me my bread is buttered
by Software Engineering (which, being a geek I enjoy) so I only take on
photographic projects which I find interesting or fun. I typically decline
projects which don’t involve people with only one exception – Food 😉 I feel at my
best in Fashion, Portraiture or Conceptual photography.
by Software Engineering (which, being a geek I enjoy) so I only take on
photographic projects which I find interesting or fun. I typically decline
projects which don’t involve people with only one exception – Food 😉 I feel at my
best in Fashion, Portraiture or Conceptual photography.
How would you describe your style?
Bright. I love light, I love bright colours and I really try to make these
elements shine in my work.
elements shine in my work.
What inspires you ? Are there any particular photographers who you feel
had an influence on your style and technique ?
had an influence on your style and technique ?
People. I can happily spend a whole day shooting people in every
conceivable way. Portraits, Fashion, Art Nude, Lifestyle – anything 🙂
I think
that there are quite a few photographers who have had a big influence… coming
from a background in stock photography (and being currently employed as a Photo
Inspector at iStockPhoto) technical perfection is very important to me. It doesn’t mean that its a law which cannot be broken – but rather a deliberate
breaking of the rules to achieve a desired effect. For example I had a shoot in
strait street where the only lighting I used was a little LED panel (as opposed
to the truckload of lights I normally carry around) because I wanted a
raw/grungy effect. If I had to mention one photographer who has had the most
influence it would have to be Joan Vincent Canto – who taught me to look at the
little details (as well as lots of lighting and other stuff ;))
conceivable way. Portraits, Fashion, Art Nude, Lifestyle – anything 🙂
I think
that there are quite a few photographers who have had a big influence… coming
from a background in stock photography (and being currently employed as a Photo
Inspector at iStockPhoto) technical perfection is very important to me. It doesn’t mean that its a law which cannot be broken – but rather a deliberate
breaking of the rules to achieve a desired effect. For example I had a shoot in
strait street where the only lighting I used was a little LED panel (as opposed
to the truckload of lights I normally carry around) because I wanted a
raw/grungy effect. If I had to mention one photographer who has had the most
influence it would have to be Joan Vincent Canto – who taught me to look at the
little details (as well as lots of lighting and other stuff ;))
What do you consider to be the most important element in a fashion
photograph?
photograph?
“The Clothes” – of course its not just a question of how much of
them is visible or if they are sharp/not, its more along the lines of “how
does this scene make me feel about those clothes”. Many times apart from
the obvious visual configuration (lines/colours and what not) a good fashion
photo will make the viewer ‘feel something’ for the outfit.
them is visible or if they are sharp/not, its more along the lines of “how
does this scene make me feel about those clothes”. Many times apart from
the obvious visual configuration (lines/colours and what not) a good fashion
photo will make the viewer ‘feel something’ for the outfit.
In your opinion, what makes a fashion model brilliant ?
If I had to narrow it down I’d focus on two things – a fashion model must
have interesting face and be able to control the expressions on that face 🙂 In
fashion the clothes are key, however our eyes are always drawn to a model’s
face to give us a sense of what that person is feeling and portraying. The
second Most Important Thing (tm) is for the model to be comfortable with their
body and to know which poses suit them – and then to tweak and vary poses
they’re given when being directed
have interesting face and be able to control the expressions on that face 🙂 In
fashion the clothes are key, however our eyes are always drawn to a model’s
face to give us a sense of what that person is feeling and portraying. The
second Most Important Thing (tm) is for the model to be comfortable with their
body and to know which poses suit them – and then to tweak and vary poses
they’re given when being directed
Describe the best/favourite photo you have ever shot ?
My favourite photo was taken during an iStockPhoto event in 2009 in
Berlin. As we were packing up after a whole day shooting, we noticed that the
changing room of the studio was made up of these panels of stretchy material. I
asked one of the other photographers to press her face into the material, add
some lighting and voilà – I present “The Scream”
Berlin. As we were packing up after a whole day shooting, we noticed that the
changing room of the studio was made up of these panels of stretchy material. I
asked one of the other photographers to press her face into the material, add
some lighting and voilà – I present “The Scream”
Do you have a few images you can share with us?
Plans for 2013 ?
In 2013 my first target is to put up an exhibition – so far the theme is
still a secret but the work is ready and now its a question of finalising
printing/ gallery etc. 🙂 I would also like to revisit my roots and shoot a bit
more of my own conceptual projects (as well as fashion of course ;))
still a secret but the work is ready and now its a question of finalising
printing/ gallery etc. 🙂 I would also like to revisit my roots and shoot a bit
more of my own conceptual projects (as well as fashion of course ;))
And there you have it – the hubby 🙂 To view more of his work go to facebook Kurt Paris or his website Kurt Paris Photography.
Caro
xxx
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