Jun 3, 20213 min read

Vlad Popov: I'm also crazy about warm bright colors

Photographer: Vlad Popov @vladpopovart
Assistant: @stellalitovinskaia_
Stylist/Fashion Designer: @vic_andy
Makeup Artist: Tatyana Kuznetsova @Ktatyana_makeup
Model: @alisabolshakova

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how did you get into photography world?

My name is Vlad. I live in Moscow. For about ten years I have been taking portraits and I loved it, but now I am working hard in the fasion industry.

Vlad, how would you describe your signature style for our readers?

My own style is in the contrast of colors, in the unusual "ragged" light. I'm also crazy about warm bright colors.

How do you connect with your models? Do they tend to be people you know, or strangers?

I always try to build a friendly atmosphere with all models, because I think that without a positive mood it is difficult to make great shots. Recently, I have been meeting new people, but I also have good familiar models with whom we continue to communicate after the photo shoot.

What's your favorite light source? Why?

I really like constant light sources. I prefer Arri and Aputure, because using them you can make any kind of choots. I think it is very convenient, because with constant light you immediately see the result, which cannot be said about pulsed light.

What are the most important lessons you have learned about portrait photography so far?

I shot all of my portrait photos in natural light for a long time. I during understood that the most important thing in portrait photography for me is the eyes. The eyes should be "alive", as the they convey the whole atmosphere.

What gives you ideas and what inspires you to create your beautiful images?

I am inspired by the covers of various foreign magazines. Sometimes I have ideas after watching a movie or listening to music.

What's the best part of being a photographer? What do you love the most about your job?

Work as a photographer for me is communication, unexpected new acquaintances and crazy creative projects. Like many photographers, I am looking forward to being recognized in the future.

How do you use social media in conjunction with your business? What role does it play in your job?

I use Instagram as the main tool where I find my clients and gather a team for creative filming. I think that without this social network nobody photographer can achieve recognition in photoindustry. The only thing on Instagram that I don’t do any paid advertising, because I don’t see sense it yet.

What advice would you give to someone looking at a career in photography?

If a person just wants to make money in the shortest time, then this industry is not for him. Work as a photographer is constant learning process. It is unstable industry and you need to think about creativity 99% of the time, but no about wallet size. Without this the desire to be a photographer will quickly disappear and routine work will begin.

What projects are you working on next, and what are your goals for the future?

At the moment my goal are self-study, learning new schemes, nuances of lighting and work with large teams. To the end of the summer I plan to get into several major foreign publications. I have plans to start conducting their own workshops and record a course in photography.