Interview with Photographer Laura Zalenga
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in 1990 and grew up in small town in the south of Germany in a world full of hammocks, tree houses and fairytales. Emotions, moods and stories have always fascinated me. I studied architecture in Munich but during that time realized that photography is my true passion.
When did you start taking photos?
Roughly around 2009. I was taking photos of cats and flowers. Then I started teaching myself everything about photography that awoke my interested.
Which photographers influenced you and how did they influence your thinking?
In the beginning, definitely Kalie Garrett - she taught me that taking self-portraits is completely fine and can be a therapy. Another photographer that influenced me is Rosie Hardy - she taught me to allow my photos to be dreamworlds.
What's in your camera bag?
My camera Nikon D600 + either Nikkor 50mm 1.8 or Nikkor 35mm 1.8 or Sigma 85mm 1.4 + remote + ToGoPod-tripod.
Where do you look for inspiration and what sort of research do you do before a shoot?
I feel like most of the time I find both within myself. Memories, moods, feelings inspire me the most. Of course there is always additional things like music and just the world around me. I actually still use Pinterest a lot if I need inspiration for certain things.
Also, I am always wildly inspired by places and lights. Very often I just wander around till I find a place that feels right and then take my photos there. I am not too much of a planner. I love that photos develop during a shooting.
What aspects of portrait photography do you enjoy and what do you find challenging?
I lovelovelove that through my camera I see people for the first time again. No matter how long I’ve known them. It is simply a different way of seeing. Also, I love the time you spend together with the person you photograph. It might be a friend, a stranger or yourself. In the end you always learn something.
The challenge is to create a mood that makes the photographed person feel comfortable enough to let go of some layers of their facade.
What has been your most memorable photoshoot and why?
So many come to my mind for the fun we had or for the incredible places we shot at. But one that I can’t forget is when I was on my own taking photos in a hollow tree. I managed to get in but not to get out again. In the middle of nowhere... That was when I realized how big of a thing photography is to me. I don’t look at the risks and just think about the outcome.
In the end I waited for a long time but no random wanderer came by and I knew I had to save myself. Completely scratched all over, I was lucky not to break a leg or a neck. Guess next time I’ll keep my phone in a pocket - if my bodysuit has pockets...
Describe your style in 3 words.
Melancholic and dreamy but still real.
What does photography mean to you?
I’d say everything? Ok, let’s be less dramatic. Family and friends come first but after that? I mean, nothing rules my world as much as photography does. It controls my mind at almost any second and I love that 100%.
What are you working on at the moment?
More fairytales for my Brothers-Grimm-series, experimenting with my kaleidoscope, and just starting out a series about the beauty of age. Age is such an underrated, wonderful thing that everyone fears while it is full of wisdom and memories.
