Viktorija Troickaja: Only from portrait photography I get goosebumps
According to photographer and member of World Professional Photographers Organization Viktorija Troickaja, climate of Baltic countries and cold Baltic Sea shaped the style in her photography. The dark and cold tones of her portraits are the real aesthetics of the North, which distinguishes her works. This is what allowed Victoria to win in 35AWARDS for 2 years in a row, and then become an invited member of the jury of the international contest.
- Tell us please a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?
- I grew up in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. I can say that I am a very lucky person because I do what I love for my living. However, I did not plan to become photographer. I had been studying English Philology in Latvia and afterwards, English Language and Literature in England. So I was thinking to connect my life with the languages. But it wasn’t meant to be. I always say that it was my husband who opened for me the world of photography. One day I got a camera from him as a gift. He also signed me into the courses where I learnt the basics about photography. Just in few months I fell in love with photography, and since then it is my passion.
- How long have you been a photographer?
- I have been a photographer for 4 years. I cannot say that I wanted to be a photographer all my life. To be honest, before, when I was looking at the photographers' works, especially the ones made in the studio, I was always astounded by the results. For me, it was magic how people got such results with the settings and studio lights. At those times, the profession of a photographer for me was out of the reach. Now, of course, everything has become much easier, but there are still so many magic tricks to learn.
- Continue the sentence “For me photography is…”
- Expression. Photography is a form of art. Through it, we can reflect our intentions, emotions, and mood.
- You are a portrait photographer. Why did you choose this genre?
- During these 4 years, I have been trying all kinds of genres. I was experimenting with landscapes, still life, reportage, etc. However, only from portraiture I get goosebumps.
- How would you describe your approach to fashion photography?
- For me, fashion photography is about unusual beauty and provocation.
- Where do you get your inspiration from?
- From other photographers’ works and movies. There, you can peek concepts or color combinations, and then make a projection to the real life with the combination of your own ideas.
- What equipment is a must-have for you no matter where you are going to be working?
- It is probably 50mm portrait lens and a speedlite flash. Although I do love to shoot on 85mm or 35mm, at some point I find 50mm lens the most versatile one.
- What kind of tools do you use for post processing?
- Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
- How long have you been participating in 35AWARDS?
- I have been participating in 35AWARDS since 2018. In both 2018 and 2019, I was honored by the decision of the judges to pick my work for the annual catalogue. And in 2019 I had an opportunity to be a member of the jury, which I would say was not an easy task. It was very difficult to choose the best works from so many outstanding photographs.
- And what about WPPO? Describe your expectations from participating.
- Just a few years ago it was almost impossible to find any assistance or broad information about photography. For many photographers the beginning of their career at those times was the path of trial and error. I am very glad that now there are so many new platforms that help new photographers to evolve. And with WPPO I am so happy to be part of it.
- What advice would you give a young photographer who would like to become a portrait photographer?
- Learn the theory and then apply it in your practice.
