Lana Ivanova is a successful professional photographer who currently lives and works in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. When we first checked out Lana Ivanova’s work we were impressed by her portfolio and were therefore really happy when she agreed to complete a full feature interview with Urbanity Chic. Read on to discover how Lana got involved in professional photography, who inspires her and what it’s like living in her native home of St. Petersburg.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Kim Kardashian - Gold
Q: How did you get into professional photography?
As long as I remember myself I’ve always wanted to be a professional photographer. And it’s been more like a hobby for a quite long time. I didn’t have any friends or family in photography so I had to learn everything from scratch myself. One day I’ve decided that life is to short to be doing something else and here I own my photography business now.
Q: What do you enjoy most photographing?
I really enjoy photographing people. I love working with people helping them relax and be themselves in front of the camera capturing their uniqueness.
I guess fashion photography mesmerizes me the most. I find it very thrilling to be working with talented designers, amazing models, creative make up and hair artist creating “another world”; it’s like drawing on a blank canvas.
Q: How was 2011 for you?
2011 year was wonderful. I got to work with many talented people (Stacey O’Keeffe, Sierra Ramke among many them) and learned so much from them. Together we worked on some amazing projects. We travelled abroad for photoshoots discovered new beautiful locations.
I moved to a different city (Brisbane, Australia) and had to start my business again from scratch. I found my very talented team id like to say “thank you” to. Lots of my shoots wouldn’t be possible without them. Its make up and hair stylists: Anna Kalashnikova, Carolina Rojas, Clementine Brown, model Kristina Shapranova.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
J'adore by Dior
Q: Who inspires you?
I get inspiration from everything and everyone every day. But I guess successful people who love life and love what they do in it inspire me the most.
Q: What makes a good photographer in your opinion?
You have to care about what you do, listen and be willing to help using your skills and vision of things.
Q: Do you prefer using film cameras or digital?
I own both, but digital is a bit more convenient these days as we live in a digital world.
Q: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in the studio?
I love doing both equally. Studio/location is my canvas, model is my muse and camera is my brush. When I have all three I just start painting.
Q: Do you have a specific style of photography that makes you unique?
I work individually with every client creating something new and unique every time. I think my style is more classy, elegant and chic with the hint of provocative in it. High fashion is the look I’m going for.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Tommy Hilfiger
Q: Do you have a favorite photograph?
There are too many wonderful photographs nowadays to have only one favorite. But if you are asking about my photographs I am going to agree with this quote.
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow” – Imogen Cunningham
Q: Who is your favourite photographer?
It’s a lot of wonderful photographers I truly admire: Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton, and Richard Avedon. But there is one that simply takes my breath away. It’s Steven Meisel. I just love the way he sees our world and captures it in his photographs.
Q: Is there anybody you would like to work with (either behind or in front of the camera)?
If it was a model I guess I’d love to know what its like to work with Natalia Vodyanova. She is amazing in every one of her shoots. It would be an honor to work with someone as talented as her. Id love to get a chance to work behind the camera with some of the great photographers I admire as well as shoot collections of top clothing brands in Australia and worldwide.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Beyonce - Heat Rush
Q: What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion to me is freedom and creativity. It’s a no limits world.
Q: How would you define your personal style?
My style is high fashion, chic and daring. I like showing my models as out-of-this-world fragile creature accentuating their femininity and natural beauty.
Q: Where are you based?
I’m currently based in both Brisbane and Sydney, Australia where I have my personal studio but travel all over for photoshoots. I was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Russia where I have my second studio.
Q: What’s it like being where you’re from?
I’m from Saint Petersburg, Russia. It’s an amazing place, the city full of history, culture and art. It’s a city everyone must visit. You get inspired just from walking the streets where world wide known authors, poets, painters, musicians once walked.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Calvin Klein - Beauty
Q: What are you hoping to achieve in 2012?
Id like to work with more talented designers, clothing lines and brands and of course get a chance to work with iconic fashion magazines like Vogue, Harpers Bazar etc.
Q: What do you do to relax?
I take walks with my best friends or by myself. And listen to music. I find jazz to be very relaxing.
Q: What songs are on your iPod at the moment?
Funny, but I don’t have an iPod.
Q: Do you have interesting hobbies?
I think I’m living out my dream because my hobby is my job and my job is my hobby. What else can you possibly dream of?
Q: If you could give a little piece of advice for aspiring photographers what would it be?
Work, work and work again. Without fair bit of practice you will not get anywhere.
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Armani Jeans
Q: What motivates you to do what you do?
I love what I do and photography to me is the way to express myself. I guess it is the air I breathe and you cannot go on very long without air.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to let our readers know about?
I’d like to say thank you for reading my interview.
If you would like to work together please drop me a line to lanaivanova@ymail.com.
And check out me website for more samples of my work www.lanaivanova.com
Lana Ivanova
Editor’s Note: Lana Ivanova’s photography is instantly recognisable embodying something that is both incredibly commercial and has a distinct chic style. We’re looking forward to seeing Lana’s professional photography portfolio increase as she gains more international exposure in the future.
If you’d like to see more work or contact Lana Ivanova just follow the links below:
facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1156905569
facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LANA-IVANOVA-Professional-photography/164735100257587
web page link: http://www.lanaivanova.com/
v kontakte link: http://vkontakte.ru/id998955
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Lana Ivanova Photography
Pantene Pro-V
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