BARTLOMIEJ KURELA

THE INTERVIEW

Which place do you call home?

Chicago is now home, but I was born and raised
in Krakow Poland, so I guess I can say
I have two homes.

Are you self taught or schooled?

Little bit of both, I went to school and
took few photography classes for film and digital
and then decided that the rest I will learn
on my own and probably most of the things
I learned from making the right mistakes

How did you get into photography?

It all happened around 2009/2010 when my dad
bought me my first camera Canon 50d and I was
learning how to be a modeling agent at a local
agency here in Chicago, I guess I loved my new
toy too much that every chance I had while
working was to take digitals and start testing
with new models that were available.
Soon after I realized my dream was not to be
a agent… and started building my portfolio since.
First with girls trying to do modeling to
eventually having a pleasure to work with
amazing models from Factor Women and Ford Models
in Chicago.

How long have you been a photographer?

Id rather say how long I have been shooting,
rather than how long I have been a photographer
because that need to be earned and I still
have a lot to prove and experience.

So yeah probably around 5 years or so
since I shot my first image

As you look through the viewfinder,
what is the most critical moment
in capturing your image?

The right moment

How would you describe your style?

Evolving within time I don’t like to stick
with one type for too long because I get bored
but I must admit one thing that wont change
is the love for dark and contrasty
black and white images

What do you think makes a truly memorable photo?

Right time and moment, I strongly believe
that the most amazing photographs are
not planned but captured

We know each of us has someone or something
that inspires our life and work.
Can you tell us the true basis of your inspiration?

The model, I always try to find an inspiration
within them, if you keep on shooting for a long
time sometime people have a tendency to lost
the spark in their work or do it just for
the money…. I think that’s they key problem
with a lot of amazing photographers that just
settled for ok instead of going for glory….
For me truly each model that I have a pleasure
of working with is an inspiration
in one-way or another.

What’s the craziest/funniest thing
that ever happened in one of your shoots?

I mean I always try not to have my shoots
serious, so mostly they are filled with laughs
but probably the funniest one would be when
I was shooting outside by the beach and slipped
on one of the rocks…. Falling in to the water
yet holding the camera in my hand so it
wouldn’t get wet…. The model instead of
helping lol couldn’t stop laughing…..

What photographers from the past or present
have influenced you the most?

Richard Avedon, Viktor Skrebneski, Sandro,
and Herb Ritts because when you are looking
at their work you can see pieces of themselves
within their images.

What has been your favorite photo location or session?

Definitely my studio and cities around Chicago,
but probably that will change within
the next few months of traveling

And regarding sessions I rarely ever not love
a shoot unless someone just has a terrible attitude

What type of cameras do you shoot with?

Canon 5d Mark 2 but once ill build a dark room
in the house definitely start using my Mamiya C3

If you had to choose one lens
which one would it be and why?

Probably my 70-200 Canon lens, because
it allows me to be close enough to capture
a beautiful headshot and be far away
to get an amazing moment….

What is your favorite photography accessory,
other than your camera?

Took me a minute to think about it but
to be honest…probably my backpack
that can fit all my lenses and two cameras
yet still remain small.

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

Depending on a shoot, but I try to stay away
from changing the images too much,
mostly just to remove any blemishes…
or unwanted pieces of hair…

How important is a website
and social media for your business?

Really important, I treat my website almost
as my second home, always looking at it
trying to improve it, change the images order
and figure out what can I shoot next
to make it better.

Regarding social media, honestly instagram
and tumblr are my favorite and im still
learning how to use the full potential of them

Do you listen to music while doing your shooting?
If so, what are you playing right now?

We always play music at our shoots but it really
depends on the model what he or she likes to
listen too, when I shoot I kind of am in a zone
and rarely ever pay attention to it, unless
its like hard metal….. then no it wont stick lol

What advice do you have for somebody
who wants to pursue photography?

Learn as much as you can from classes
but at the same time don’t follow anyone’s
footsteps, do your own things, yeah it
might take longer but at the end you will
know you did it all on your own

What lies ahead for you?

Hopefully a great and colorful life filled
with amazing shoots all around the world