interview with photographer sasha olsen

sasha olsen captured by sander declerq

1. Introduce yourself shortly.

Hi there! I'm Sasha, a boy that enjoys traveling around the world with his camera.

2. How did you fall in love with photography?

I have had a connection to photography since my childhood. I used to almost always carry a camera around in my school years and would love to take pictures of my friends and the school staff. Later, when I started traveling, I began to explore landscape and architecture photography and, recently, fashion.

3. What inspires you?

Nostalgia, memories, cinema, architecture, aesthetics, good stories, and people's lives.

4. Whose work has influenced you the most?

It depends on what mood I'm in, but lately, I've been influenced by Visconti's "Il Gattopardo" and the aesthetics of Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet." Cinema has always had a big impact on my work. I've been also into some of the more organic and futuristic designs of Johns Lautner's Architecture. I absolutely love the idea of future they had in the 60's.

5. How would you describe your photography style?

It's a tricky question because I create based on what I feel in the moment the shoot is taking place. I don't think much about the style of it as it is simply my style but I suppose I would say my style is nostalgic, romantic, and cinematic (if that makes any sense).

6. Do you work full-time as a photographer, or do you have a regular job?

I have the perks of being involved in a wonderful business which gives me the opportunity of not having a 9-5 job and being my own boss. This allows me to have plenty of free time to dedicate to everything I love. Photography is one of these things.

7. What do you think is the most challenging thing in being a photographer?

Time management. Sometimes people don't understand that you really need your time as an artist to get the final work done. And for that, you need to breathe and take it at your own pace, always within the common sense, of course.

8. Pet Peeves

People that chew with their mouths open.

9. What kind of gear do you use?

It's not the camera but the photographer! I'm not going to give publicity to any brand, but I use a mix between analog and digital :)

10. What is your favorite lens, and why?

I would say definitely a 50 mm, or at least it's the one I've been using the most.

11. What kind of music are you listening to while editing?

It depends on the mood of the story. I can go from something more epic like Final Fantasy soundtracks or retro/spacesynth wave to something more chill like jazz, soul, and r&b. Indie Pop or some dreamy music also help.

12. 3 People you're dying to work with

I try not to set big expectations. I've been very blessed with all clients, models, magazines, agencies, and teams that I've been working with so far. I believe everything happened and will happen for a reason, so I like to see where that will lead me.

13. Did you ever think about quitting?

No, it's never crossed my mind, as I try to take it easy and deal with my work in photography at my own pace.

14. How important is social media for your career?

It has some relevance in the sense that it's a way to showcase my work. It also helps give me some inspiration.

15. How has photography influenced you as a person?

I believe it has been educating me more in terms of aesthetics and, fashion. I feel my eye is getting more attentive and more accurate to detail over time.

16. What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started working as a photographer?

That it is a very competitive field, and that unfortunately, not everyone has the best intentions.

17. What is your creative process like?

I always get ideas and inspiration from sources such as architecture, cinema, somebody's routine, a book, etc. Then I try to surround myself with other professionals who can help bring everything to life with their ideas and creativity. Once the shoot is done, I use editing to get into the feeling I had in my mind or in that particular moment when I was taking the photo. A good connection and understanding with the model is also very important in this process and the final results.

18. Do you have any hidden talents?

Hmm, I think I'm an okay singer, and I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue!

19. What childish thing do you still enjoy doing?

Omg. so many things, basically almost everything I do. Watching cartoons would be the most common one.

20. What are the two things you never spent money on?

Alcohol and coffee, two things I've never particularly enjoyed.

21. You Accidentally Ate Some Radioactive Vegetables. They Were Good, And What's Even Cooler Is That They Endow You With The Super-Power Of Your Choice! What's It Gonna Be?

It's definitely gonna be the ability to travel back and forth through time.

22. Name The Top Five Things To Take With You During A Zombie Outbreak.

I would take the love of my life, my two dogs (that counts as two things, right?), a sketching book, and a camera :)