My name is Alina Mayboroda, I grew up in the sunny country of Kazakhstan. I was born in the “closed” city, Baikonur, where the Cosmodrome space launch facility is located. Later, I lived and studied in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg.
Now I live with my family in a suburb of the New York City area. I currently study English, explore the city and country, and am happy when I have a chance to take pictures.
When I was a child, my father took photographs. I remember how we developed film and printed photos in a dark room - it was pure magic.
I graduated from university and used to work in my area of study, which was economics, and my life was pretty mundane.
Now I'm happier; there is a place for creativity in my life. Wherever I am, my camera is always with me, looking for interesting shots.
For me, there is nothing more important than a person and the depth of his or her inner world.
When I think about it, I see the images in my head. The light, the color, the shape, the position, the texture – everything can create a very vivid, delicate, and sensual picture. Life often speaks to us in a harsh language, so I like to talk about the light and goodness of love and beauty - this is what I want to leave in my photos. I cut all unnecessary things out of the frame, and then it looks exactly the way I saw it in my mind.
I mainly shoot portraits. People are so different, everyone has their own beauty - the folds of their lips, shoulders, hands, these can reveal so much about their character. I love to look at strangers, to read their faces and think about what kinds of lives they lead, what's in their heads, where they might be going. I’m always happy to photograph women, there's a huge world of mysteries.
I'm touched by the tenderness, fragility, and vulnerability of woman - that is her strength. At any age, she is beautiful and unique, no two women are alike. All I can do is take up my camera and try to tell you about that. Of course, I am particularly pleased to take pictures of children. Children are small, carefree people. When I am near them, I am always happy.
Through my works I am speaking to the viewer about what I believe are life's greatest values, about love, and light, about goodness, and tenderness, and inner beauty, about childhood, and innocence, and then about love again.
It is very difficult for me to find words to describe such a subtle matter. In connection with this concept there’s inevitably a reminder of Baudelaire's poetry. Perhaps sensuality in photography, poetry, and art in general, is like diving deep into something that is not mentioned directly, but read between the lines? It’s something that is in the air, the ambience, the gentle fragrance of thoughts, born in love.
The greatest impression on me was made by the photography of Julia Margaret Cameron, I cried when I saw some of her works. I also like Lillian Bassman, Paolo Roversi, Rodney Smith, Edward Steichen, Robert Doisneau, Sarah Moon. There are so many; and from various photographers, I particularly love certain photos or periods in their work. To be honest, though, I am more inspired by the artists - Botticelli, Leonardo, and other Renaissance artists; also James Tissot, Claude Monet, Karl Briullov, Mikhail Nesterov, and others… It would take me a long time to list them all, but I can look at their pictures for hours and hours.
The preparation for a photo shoot is always different. In my work, there are frames that have been taken quite by accident and in a hurry; I saw something and I knew that I could not let it go. Other times, it takes a while to pick up all the parts and accessories, search for a location, wait for the right light and an auspicious day. I am always in search of a muse, a soul mate can share the emotions born from a common work.
I currently use a Nikon D700 digital.
I do not use any specific techniques; I look for a nice light, or try to create it in the studio. Equally important is the atmosphere, the air and thoughts hovering between me and the model - I ask the model to think about what I need for a picture, or we will talk about it while shooting, and then it is sure to appear in the frame. I always take pictures of people with lots of love, without this inspiration it is impossible. Perhaps this is my main technique.
I think I'm just at the beginning; there are still so many new and interesting things to learn. Sometimes I think that my first pictures were better than the ones I shoot now. Maybe my technical skills are better than they were three years ago, but I'm not sure that the content of my work has become deeper – and that’s something I have to work on. I would like to shoot more sophisticated photos.
On the internet, I’ve found many amazing artists and some of them have become good friends of mine. For me, the internet provides the opportunity to learn photography. Every day I look for pictures, read articles and various publications of the photos, that’s how I educate myself. I also have the opportunity to find an audience and communicate with them.
I enjoy this website a lot, there’s a remarkable collection of artists. I know I'll never be disappointed by what I see there, but will receive a positive energy and inspiration. I feel that this site has been created with great love and care, it is a special place that stands out from other photo websites.
I would like to materialize all those images and pictures that are burning in my heart and mind. I hope that life will give me all these opportunities. Also in my plans is to start working with a medium format camera and film. What would you add?
I'm glad that life has given me the chance to meet François and Nicole, a woman with a lovely, generous heart. Thank you for your warm welcome and support - in your presence I feel cozy and warm. I wish you good fortune and prosperity.
I would also like to take this opportunity to ask our readers to give me their smiles, I will feel each one of them. )))
To send a smile to Alina, click here.
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