Tatya Lushchyk
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My name is Tatya Lushchyk, I got into photography in 2008, after graduating from college. She began her journey by working in a photo studio, filming people for documents and printing photos on a large printing press. After that, I photographed people, weddings, families, children, and now I am the head of my small beauty studio, photographing advertisements and portraits, professional photo retouching and, of course, creativity.
2. Where did you study photography?
The foundation and love for photography was laid by my Minsk State Technological College, by my first education I am a photographer.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
The first shots were during college - it was studio and street photo shoots, photographed on black and white film, self developed and printed on photographic paper in a black room under red light. It was a very cool time when they did not yet know what Photoshop was. And the first picture of nature, which won first place in a local photo exhibition. Yes, I remember this picture - a river, a bridge and reflections of trees in the water and a church in the background.
4. What equipment do you use?
I have several canon cameras, my favorite lens is canon 70-200 2.8f IS II
5. What do you hope to achieve?
For me now it is important to achieve my goals and my development. I want to contribute to this world, take amazing pictures and delight people with my creativity.
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
The words of my child after I told that my next photo was on the cover of a magazine: "Mom, you are so cool"
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
I am inspired by the analysis of my work done in the past in comparison with the present. All the time I develop both in photography and in retouching. And I really like to follow the evolution of my development.
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Creativity, artistry, uniqueness
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the European Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
For me, this is a very significant event. This is an acknowledgment that I am moving in the right direction. And that I need to make even more efforts to achieve my goals, because everything I do is not in vain. And of course this is an incredible inspiration for the implementation of new creative ideas.
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 European Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I found out about the project quite by accident, I saw this EPA draft somewhere. It became interesting to me what it means - in such images, through the search engine, I got to the site of the award.
The decision to take part arose spontaneously, I registered and uploaded my own on the last days of submission of works. I didn't have high hopes to be the winner at all as I was well aware that there were so many great photographers from all over the world taking incredible shots.
My work depicts a portrait of a girl with a white snake.It was a creative photo session of people who are very afraid of these reptiles. The entire shooting took place in silence and breathlessness, but the idyll of the model and the snake delighted everyone. The result exceeded all expectations.
11. How has winning an award developed your career?
It's hard to say yet, but she gave a very big impetus not to give up and continue to participate in this kind of awards.
12. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Sergey Ivanov
Tamara Williams
David Arnal
13. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
These are the words of teachers at the defense of your photography diploma - you have an incredible sense of color that can be traced in every work - do not stop, develop it further.
14. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Listen only to your inner voice, learn from the best and surpass them.
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Surround yourself with wonderful creative people, thank them for helping you develop.
16. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I see that the world is changing and developing very much, there is no need to resist this and never think that your knowledge is finite. You need to be able to learn new things and agree that there is no perfection of your development.
17. Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Thank you for allowing me to participate in this very wonderful international photo award.
Thank you very much.
