Svetlana Semakovich: Gold bar
CALEB SCHAFTLEIN,
Could you please provide us with a professional introduction about yourself and your photography work?
I have been in the profession for over 10 years. I've photographed everything from newborns to large wedding events. I've always been drawn to female portraits, and since I love fashion, dressing up, and keeping up with trends, I happily combined female portraiture with fashion. I not only photograph women, but I also style the photoshoots.
Can you tell us the story behind creating the photographs you submitted?
I saw these cast corsets and fell in love with them. I immediately had a vision in my head of how the photos should look. So, I invited model Maria, gathered a small team, and we produced these beautiful photos in just one hour of studio shooting.
Can you tell us about how you got started in photography?
Even as a child, I was always drawn to my dad's camera. Then I picked up pencils and drew portraits, especially of women. Women's portraits turned out particularly well. It seems like it was my calling :)
What was your passion driving you during your journey? Who or what prompted you to begin?
My hands naturally reached for the camera, fueled by childhood curiosity. I especially love feminine beauty. I enjoyed looking at celebrity photos in magazines, and I've always loved fashion. Women began asking me to photograph them because they saw that I was good at it and that they looked beautiful in the pictures. So, I didn't need to make any special efforts for this. I enjoyed the process itself—we would come up with ideas together and inspire each other. I just went with the flow.
Could you walk us through your photoshoot planning process?
It’s quite simple. An idea comes to mind, sometimes when you’re not even thinking about it. Often, I find looks or moods on Instagram or Pinterest, which are great sites for inspiration. I find a model, pitch her the idea, and either reach out to a stylist or find the right outfit for the shoot myself. Fortunately, I already have a great team—makeup and hairstyling artists, and studio owners. They're always open to creative projects. All I need to do is ask and share my ideas.
As a photography expert, what sets your work apart from other photographers?
Everyone who has worked with me probably says the same thing that sets me apart from other photographers: "I look so beautiful in your photos." It’s not modest, but it’s true. I instinctively know how to position a woman to make her look even more beautiful, and the result is that the photos look even more high-end.
Where do you get your ideas for photoshoots?
My favorite websites for inspiration are Instagram and Pinterest.
Can you tell us about the most memorable moment you've had as a photographer and what experience you gained from that?
When I got published in a magazine for the first time, I was so excited that I submitted 30 more applications, and I was amazed that only 3 were rejected. That was when I realized things were simpler than they seemed. The key is staying informed.
What are the most important components of an extraordinary photograph, in your opinion?
A genuine love for the craft. You can learn the technical skills, but learning to pour your soul into your work can only happen with something you're truly passionate about. I believe that two photographers can be equally skilled, yet one’s work inspires while the other’s doesn’t. Both can be talented, but doing work with soul only happens when you love what you do.
How do other artists influence your work? Are there any other photographers you look up to? Who?
I really like photographer Sofia Rout from Moscow. But I don't try to imitate her—I just get inspired by her ideas and angles. I admire her work.
What are the most important components of an extraordinary photograph, in your opinion?
A genuine love for the craft. You can learn the technical skills, but learning to pour your soul into your work can only happen with something you're truly passionate about. I believe that two photographers can be equally skilled, yet one’s work inspires while the other’s doesn’t. Both can be talented, but doing work with soul only happens when you love what you do.
How do other artists influence your work? Are there any other photographers you look up to? Who?
I really like photographer Sofia Rout from Moscow. But I don't try to imitate her—I just get inspired by her ideas and angles. I admire her work.
How do you strike a balance between your artistic expression and your client's expectations during a shoot?
The key is to get an excellent base shot, and then it's just about refining it. I love clean images. I work exclusively with Photoshop. To be honest, I use an old version and still haven’t updated it.
Can you tell us about the most difficult photographic challenge you've ever had, including lighting, unexpected situations, and how you managed the issues on set?
Once, in the middle of a photoshoot, during the second look, my camera broke. I didn't have a backup at the time. I knew that if I panicked, everyone else would too. The photos were only for personal use, meant for social media. So, I pretended I was shooting with my dead camera but actually used my phone. I processed the photos from the first look taken with the camera and the second look from the phone. The client was very happy and still doesn’t know that my camera broke during the shoot. The lesson: I bought a backup camera immediately, and now I’ve been at peace for years.
What are your top tips for aspiring photographers on skill development and finding their own creative voice? How did you develop yours?
It's important to invest in education and not hesitate to spend money on it. The best option is to choose a photographer who inspires you and take individual lessons. Private lessons are better than group ones—they save time in learning and extend the time for gaining experience. I was self-taught and spent a lot of time on trial and error, which I regret. That time could have been spent on the path to success.
What is your favorite piece of work you've ever shot?
I don’t have a single favorite work. I try to love all my projects and put equal effort and soul into them.
Can you tell me about an upcoming project you're working on and the idea behind it?
Right now, we are preparing for a winter photoshoot. We want to go back to the past, to the glamorous 80s, and remind people of that era.
Stylist & Photo: @semakovichphoto.pl
Local: @koska_waw
MUA & Hair: @karabash_tatiana
Model: @maria.rakovskaya
Via @officialkavyar
