I strive for the authentic, and to get it – I must believe what I see

Featuring Dudi Hasson Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Authenticity is a prerequisite element required in Dudi Hasson’s work. The strive is to break through the staged, professional postures to let out the factor of personality and welcome the layer of the unexpected. The connection to nature, to the Medeterian sea, the desert, and the unique beauty of the land, shows in many of Dudi’s work, essentially becoming a silent character, present, which adds colors to the frame.

Dudi sheds some light on what is important for him in photography, “I’m looking for the unexpected and unknown emotion of the subject, that truthful ‘in-between’ moment of lack of attention, of uncontrolled and inhibited laughter.” His photographs portray a certain kind of all-embracing calmness, although the emotions are present and capture attention.

Dudi Hasson is an Israeli photographer, born in Ashkelon. Growing up in a small neighborhood, Dudi was exposed to a different kind of relationship between the residents of the community, which is so unfamiliar and long forgotten in the large cities today. From a young age, Dudi was fascinated with people; this interest in the deeper layers of the person migrated to his career as a fashion photographer allowing for this element to become a distinct part of his work. In this interview, Dudi tells about the way he got into photography, remembering growing up and his mother’s hair salon. We touch on topics such as the diversity in Israel, the latest shoot with Gal Gadot and their friendship, the importance of relationships in his photography, finishing up with some tips for emerging artists.

‘When I was 15, I was constantly taking photos of my friends. I had no idea it would lead to a fashion-photography career. I wasn’t thinking about the future at the time.’

I Am

Hi Dudi, let’s start from the beginning. Where were you born? 

I was born in Ashkelon, a coastal southern city, but moved as a child to Ramat Hasharon, which is in the center, and closer to the metropolis area and Tel-Aviv. After moving, my family and I lived in a kind of neighborhood that slowly disappears from the Israeli view – a very authentic, warm, and familiar neighborhood, where all neighbors know each other, for better or for worse. 

What is the brightest memory from your childhood or your hometown? 

My brightest memory, without a doubt, is my mother’s hair salon, mainly because it was my bedroom. My mother was a hairdresser, and my bedroom was where she cut and styled her customers’ hair. Just thinking about it brings the smell of blow drying to my nose. As you can probably imagine, it wasn’t always easy at the time. But looking back, I realize how strongly it affected me – from a very young age, I was constantly surrounded by women, their aesthetic choices, and their sense of style.

I started photographing at a very young age. When I was 15, I was constantly taking photos of my friends. I had no idea it would lead to a fashion-photography career. I wasn’t thinking about the future at the time. I was simply drawn to people and taking their pictures. An obsession that lasts ‘till these days.

‘I’m looking for neither. I’m looking for the unexpected and unknown emotion of the subject, that truthful ‘in-between’ moment of lack of attention, of uncontrolled and inhibited laughter.’

Emotions

One of the most compelling angles in your work is catching a very specific emotion, a not expected emotion, that enables a viewer to clearly see the before and after, the story of love and pain the subject experienced in this narrative. What is the moment you anticipate prior to taking the shoot? What do you aim to see or feel? 

When a person stands in front of the lens, they often become very aware and somewhat self-conscious. With experienced subjects, such as models or actors, it’s the opposite case – they can be overly prepared and too confident. In my work, I’m looking for neither. I’m looking for the unexpected and unknown emotion of the subject, that truthful ‘in-between’ moment of lack of attention, of uncontrolled and inhibited laughter. I strive for the authentic, and to get it – I must believe what I see. Otherwise, it will never be as I aspire. When I feel that real moment of honesty in front of my subject, I know I got what I wanted. Those special moments are between me and my subject alone.

Israel

Living in Israel can get harsh due to the political climate and the ambivalent feeling towards the country from outside (the encounter of multiple religions, history, politics, and technological advances, i.e. the ‘startup nation’). What is the theme that interests you the most which you come back to depict in some of your projects? Why is that? 

Israel is indeed a complex country, but a lot of what makes it complex is also what makes it unique. As a photographer inspired by people and faces, I am fascinated by the diversity of cultures this place has to offer. This wide range of cultures – different ethnicities, races, religions, and genders – comes with mesmerizing stories and compelling people, and these stories are told across ever-changing and captivating views and sceneries. I don’t think there is any other country in the world in which sceneries and landscapes change as drastically and as rapidly as in Israel. In a few hours trip, one can go from desert to snow, from vast forests to big cities, and of course, stroll along the beaches of 4 different seas, all of which – the Mediterranean, the Dead Sea, the Sea Of Galilee, and the Red Sea – always enchanted me and have a warm spot in my heart, as well as my art.

‘123’

Celebrities

You’re well known for working with celebrities, for example, shooting Gal Gadot (lately for Vanity Fair) or the rising star Shira Haas (playing the main character in the series Unorthodox). Could you share a moment you cherish from one of your works, past or recent?  

I cherish every opportunity I get to shoot and practice creativity. Whether it’s a celebrity or an unknown person, the most important thing for me is how interesting the theme and person shot are. Gal and I have been working together for over a decade now. We have excellent chemistry and I see her as a strong and inspiring woman and it’s always fun to work with her. So many years, and still, we surprise each other every time. We grow and evolve each in our separate areas, and when we meet, that growth is well translated to our work.

‘This is a clear guideline for me – the search after the accidental, the raw, the real – and it is as true and crucial in exploring relationships and their stories.’

Personal Work

In your personal work, it seems your main goal is to uncover something beneath what is immediately available - looking for deeper meanings in relationships and also in the person’s motivation. First of all, what have you discovered in this sense? 

Relationships as a concept, as a theme or the physical real thing, whether mundane and ongoing or exciting and brief, has always been a mysterious enigma in my personal life, and as such – always found a way to manifest in my work in some way or another. Be it the relationship between the subjects photographed, their relationship with the camera, or the one with myself. 

Why do you think this theme captivates your attention?  

I strive to tell the stories of these relationships, and maybe – try and disperse the fog around this issue in my personal life. The more I work, the more I discover the importance of authenticity. As I mentioned before, this is a clear guideline for me – the search after the accidental, the raw, the real – and it is as true and crucial in exploring relationships and their stories. I am never looking to find answers, but I’m always passionate about asking or presenting the questions.

‘Talent is necessary, but it’s not enough. You have to work hard, become obsessed with photography, be absolute in your work, and most importantly in my eyes - relieve yourself from fear.’

Through Fashion

Entering the world of photography, starting as an assistant photographer, later on helping other emerging artists to pursue the path following your steps, what would be your main guideline to young creatives only trying to access the sphere? 

There is no ‘right way’ to become a good photographer. I’m self-educated and never formally studied photography. I started as an assistant and worked my way to where I am today. But that doesn’t mean that I believe that is the only way to go. There is only one thing I believe to be an absolute truth – you have to be totally in it. All in. 

Talent is necessary, but it’s not enough. You have to work hard, become obsessed with photography, be absolute in your work, and most importantly in my eyes - relieve yourself from fear. That is my strongest advice for young creatives. Taking the leap is scary, I remember my first productions – feeling nervous, anxious to deliver. But I learned to let go, get in my zone, and just shoot. The fear is your enemy, it makes you insecure and out of your element – contain it, control it and be in the moment. You will make mistakes, undoubtedly, but you will learn from them and get better with each work.

Upcoming Projects

What are your plans for 2021 - the themes you want to develop?

This absurd situation the world has gotten into since the pandemic broke has denied us the privilege of planning – productions are scheduled and cancelled, closed skies, sudden quarantines, and constant uncertainty makes it impossible to have a clear plan, and that’s exactly my plan! I feel the upcoming year will be one driven by spontaneity. The ability to improvise is always essential, but this year it becomes crucial.