She catches happiness in your eyes. She reveals the beauty of your soul. Svetlana Shumilova , a young Russian photographer, tells us about the fine art of photography , inspiration and bright emotions.

- How did you discover photography?

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- I have always liked to look at the paintings of great artists, but I have never been able to draw myself. I really wanted to create something like this, but it was difficult even to just draw a straight line. And at some point a camera fell into my hands. And I realized that you can create - after all, this is a completely different world of opportunities for self-expression.

In fact, before the approach to photography was different: you could shoot at random, and then finish everything in graphic editors. But it never suited me, why do it initially badly in order to fix everything? Therefore, I was fascinated not only by the creative component, but also by the technical one. Photography is an art in which creativity and technique are intertwined, thereby creating a unique picture!

- What is the source of your inspiration?

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- A real sincere smile, accidentally falling light, an exciting book. And the list is endless. Because inspiration for me is not something that can be achieved when you want it. This is an everyday joy from all the little things that accumulates in you, and then just splashes out, creating something new. Even your questions are a piece of inspiration for me!

- On your website you write: “I am in love with natural light and with sincere emotions ...” And what gives you such emotions?

- I love it when people smile back, say compliments, just treat each other kindly. For some reason, in the frantic pace of life, we do not always find kind words even for loved ones, not to mention something else. We are so busy all the time, we think about something ordinary, and life does not go on, but runs by! Sincere emotions for me are all the little things that are next to me. The main thing -  notice them!

- Your photos are alive, filled with the colors of life. And in what shades is your life painted?

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- In the warmest. Every moment is very important for me in life. I try not only to fill my life with positive emotions, but also to give them to others. It's so nice when you can become the reason for the smile of another person!

- Each person has a different attitude to photography, a different character. How do you approach people?

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- I approach every person very sincerely. Indeed, in fact, we have our own points of contact with absolutely any person. It just takes someone years to find them, while someone can figure out a person in the first ten  minutes of acquaintance. Each time shooting a new person is a new quest for me. I do not like it when creative people specifically adjust to someone else. It is not right. Then there can be no question of any pure emotions. Sincerity always helps me.

- You have been doing photography for a very long time. Is there anything else in it that still remains a mystery to you?

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- For me, as a portrait photographer, far from the genre of food photography (photographing food), flat lay (flat lay is a flat image that is shot at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the subject - author's note) - these spheres remain a mystery. Because I get high on the emotions we create. These genres have a completely different aesthetics. Although still sometimes it happens to take shots in similar styles. But in this case, I also catch the emotions of the person who asks to take it off. I can't imagine how a photographer can work without them.

- Photography is always new discoveries, experiments. What experiments do you like?

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“I used to experiment with processing. I did this until I found my own style in photography. Now new discoveries for me are my students, beginner and experienced photographers. Each time, passing on your knowledge and accumulated experience, you fill another person with it. But we are all different. And it is so interesting to watch how your knowledge and experience take on a completely new form in the work of students!

- What creative plans do you have in the future?

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- I have always dreamed of teaching photography. And last year my dream came true. Now it has grown into a more global one - to give its master classes all over Russia (or maybe the world?). In order to make new acquaintances, to take pictures that you will never take in Vladivostok (Svetlana Shumilova lives in Vladivostok - author's note).

- What would you like to wish the readers of art-jur?

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- I want to wish to learn to look around. After all, happiness is so fragile, but it is absolutely always there. Let's catch it together! :-)  

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Thanks for the answers and the photo provided. Svetlana Shumilova.

Interview prepared by: Natalia Pushchinskaya

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