Margarita Vinogradova: Alisa in the Garden
CALEB SCHAFTLEIN,
1. Could you please give us a little introduction and tell us about your first experience with photography? Who or what inspired you to begin photography?
Hello! My name is Margarita Vinogradova. I was born in a small town in the east part of Russia. In my early 20s, I started my small resale business. I started studying photography to do commercials by myself to save a budget. Since that, a lot of things have changed. I moved to South Korea, married, sold all my shops, and became a housewife. I was bored in quarantine and decided to start a TikTok with photos just for fun. I started meeting and photographing people in Korea and found out that photo is the thing I always loved but was always too busy to realize. That’s how my journey here began. The diverse women’s beauty is my biggest inspiration. How beautiful and unique we are!
2. From your point of view, what are the most exciting aspects of professional photography?
The most exciting thing is my feelings right after a photo shoot. On the way home, I imagine the results in my head. And then, I come home, prepare delicious tea, and start color editing.
3. As the expert you are, what distinguishes your work from other photographers?
The most common compliment I hear from other people is that models look calm in my pictures. I would describe the mood of my photos with the word “peaceful.”
4. What are your goals for the next year with your photography business?
As a foreigner in South Korea I don’t think it can be easy to get into the fashion industry as a photographer. But that’s what I would love to approach. I also have a lot of creative projects that will help me meet new amazing people. What can be better?
5. Are there any other photographers you look up to? Who?
I sincerely love all creators. I would say I don’t have someone I underline.
6. Can you walk us through your planning process for this photoshoot and how you went about conducting it?
This photoshoot was very spontaneous. I just saw this azalea park online. And I asked a model to wear white and come to the garden early in the morning. At that time, Korea still had a mandatory requirement to wear masks outside, so the morning was the only time to enjoy the empty garden maskless. I thought that simple pictures with flowers barely could catch people’s eye on it, so I decided to decorate the beautiful back of my model with flowers. We didn’t even have tape or glue and used patches which she luckily had in her pouch.
Photographer: @korea_jpeg, Model: @alice_a_lisa
7. What are your upcoming projects?
I’m excited to have my next project with a South African model wearing pearls on her hair and body. I found a talented team (MUA and hairstylist). I’m sure the results will turn out great.
