I Just Want to Graduate School
Featuring Maya Golishkina Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski
Maya Golishkina - a young, emerging photographer from Russia with an eye for the eccentric in fashion photography that aspires to cross the boundary to a realistic experience. Maya focuses on experimentation with creating a character on set who acts in an unexpected way. At her 17, she already has an established style that comprises of an underground, tense, edgy aesthetic touching on an unpolished reality of the surroundings.
Maya speaks about her love for art and redefinition of herself as a photographer whose main goal is to present her view of the world and demonstrate a personal approach, unique and different. Her forte and means of realization of an idea come from searching for a closer relationship with a person she is shooting. With a meaningful contact, emotions break through and create an image to be inspired from.
‘It’s a way to express my state of mind, show people how I see this word. Sometimes it’s not exactly easy.’
Hi Maya, why photography? What is your story?
Hahaha, I really don’t know why photography. I don’t know how it happened, but first of all, I’m an artist. A lot of people don’t know about it. I can’t imagine my life without art. I’ve been drawing since my childhood, but I started taking pictures 1.5 years ago. And when I started, I didn’t think about my future life in this domain. It was like good entertainment, but it turned into something more for me.
As a young photographer and creator, how do you feel your age can affect the story you tell in your works?
Maybe, because I grow with my work. First of all, it is work on myself. For me, it’s not just photos for Instagram or something else. It’s a way to express my state of mind, show people how I see this word. Sometimes it’s not exactly easy. Now, I’m 17, and I want to show other people that I can do all! This is my story.
‘When I meet new people, I try to understand their story of life, how they can appear in my photos.’
What is your favorite place to spend your free time? What is special in it for you?
I don’t think I have a favorite. The best place for a search for ideas is my consciousness.
Do you follow fashion trends? (we saw your self-photo in a babushka a.k.a made famous by ASAP Rocky, lately).
Hahaha, no, I don’t. Because I think it’s unnecessary. When you look up to others, you lose yourself.
What do you think is the most challenging for a young artist in Russia that she needs to overcome to succeed?
No comments :)))))
How would you define the style of your photography? What is the main theme that you speak about through images?
I can’t say that I have a style. But I just want to discover the image of a character whom I photograph (I hate the word “model”). It’s a very interesting process for me. When I meet new people, I try to understand their story of life, how they can appear in my photos. We discuss our idea of sitting in the kitchen, we try different positions or something else. And every time I don’t know how it will end. The main idea is not to be afraid, just do it, express your feelings and emotions.
‘I’m very emotional, every shooting is very important for me, and even if the model is failing something, I blame myself, because I chose it.’
Finding the right model sometimes is a tiresome process to make sure the attitude and personality fit the idea and the story you are creating. How do you approach casting?
It’s a very difficult process, yeah. Because there are lots of beautiful girls, but it’s not enough for me. Just inner beauty can catch me because it’s very important to find a crazy person, like me, and make the right contact with him. People make me happy or devastated, I really depend on them. They also can inspire me. I can’t say something about a person just looking at his Instagram, I need real contact. Sometimes girls can write me, and I can pick them for my shooting. But when I have a commercial shoot, a casting director helps me find a necessary person.
At times you photograph the same model as Sharlota, other times you work with models from Lumpen agency like Adams. Due to the different relationship you have with those models how easy or difficult is it to direct a model during the shoot?
I have five favorite and unique models, including Sharlota. One of the most important parts in a shooting is my contact with people. And of course, it’s not always easy. Sometimes my model can be embarrassed by me or misunderstand what I want, and at this moment I can say "sorry, it was a bad idea". After that I really hate myself. I give a lot of energy to my models, I try to intimidate or amuse them. It’s a difficult but interesting process. I need the replace energy and I can get it often. I’m very emotional, every shooting is very important for me, and even if the model is failing something, I blame myself, because I chose it. I can’t understand how it’s possible to work with a model without words. What is the interest?
What was the idea behind your shoot in the collaboration you had with the very much talked about revival of the old brand by a young company Dva Myacha // ДВА МЯЧА?
What was the idea... nothing special. As usual - a shooting.
Very often you are the subject of your own photographs. Share some tips of creating a story, setting up a camera angle, and getting a strong picture for the self-portrait.
Be yourself.
What do you think you will be photographing in 5 years and to which direction you think your style will develop?
I don’t know what I will do tomorrow... what are you speaking about.. hahaha. Now I just want to graduate school, hahaha!!
