Andrew for White Lies magazine (Berlin) INTERVIEW

You can read it on WhiteLies magazine's website here

Moody – intense – darkness-tendency , that may be the best adjectives to categorise Andrew Kalashnikov’s photography. He is a 24 years old who ( in the fashion world ) may be best known as the guy whose moody shots were featured in the window display of Rick Owens’s store in Paris. I had the chance of exchanging a few lines with the man.

Andrew, when did you get into photography?

It was almost 3 years ago. I planned to shoot 3 concept series just for fun and then brought them out. Surprisingly, I am still in the business.

Well it’s no surprise to me. But can you still recall the first photo that actually got printed, or that you got money for?

Wow, I can try. In 2011, the fashion portrait «Light After Dark» in a Russian magazine. I actually found the magazine in a subway’ booth and bought 3 issues at once. It was cool. The first money I got for a model portfolio earlier.

But with the easy accessibility of good quality cameras, do you think people still take photography seriously?

I suppose, you just answered the question yourself. Today with easy access to digital cameras people think it’s easy to be a photographer and make a living of it. But if they try, nothing will happen. It’s a very competitive field. You should be 40% talented and 60% hard-working to succeed. Only workhorses can survive here.

100% agreed. Was it through hard work or by chance that you have gained success and a considerable following?

Hard work. During a whole year I had only 30 followers on my page. Nevertheless i updated it with new photos to show that I don’t give a fuck and I will work anyway. You should never stop learning and improving to succeed.

That’s the spirit. What’s an average day like for a photographer based in Russia anyway?

Depends on the photographer’s schedule. For the most photoshoots you have to get up early, then get to location or studio and take photos. I remember waiting 4 hours for a 10 min-photoshoot.

Digital vs. Analog. What are your preferences?

I am a digital photographer at this time.

The Most Striking of 2013

the most striking pics of 2013. During 2013 many editorial assignments have been done. not all of them were good. neither all of them been published, nor posted online. This year I did my best to show my diversity as a professional, worked in almost all genres. Collection, just to remind. as my memory is limited :)