Feb 8

Feb 8 PHOTOGRAPHER ZUZU VALLA

Art, Creative People, Culture, Interviews, Photography, Nature

INTERVIEW WITH PHOTOGRAPHER ZUZU VALLA

Zuzu lives and works in Ashford, Kent and is originally from Slovakia. She was brought up in a traditional Slovak family, and grew up during the last years of a strong communist regime and social transformation of the former Czechoslovakia. Her father a boxing champion and her mother a housewife who raised her family in a small town. Zuzu’s grandfather was a keen amateur photographer that shot in black and white and her grandmother used a special painting method to colour his photographs.

Zuzu’s work can be seen in plenty of our favorite publications including Vogue Italia’s online gallery, Vogue Portugal, The Vogue Cover challenge for British vogue, Schon etc.. She has also exhibited in Paris, Budapest and the UK.

Zuzu your greatest inspirations or influences?

My greatest inspiration is photographer, Evelyn Bencicova because she isn’t worried to show what is going on inside her mind. I’d love to be like that, and never worry or be concerned with what other people will think.

Tell us a bit about your creative process?

When I am working on personal projects, I almost never plan anything ahead. I love improvisation and unexpected situations. I go with the flow and mood which is currently in the room or place and that’s what I try to capture with my work, the atmosphere. Also, almost all of my models I find on the street or in shops spontaneously. This year, I am looking forward to some new publications and hopefully some travel opportunities.

How has this year changed your creativity or how you see the world changing moving forward?

I really feel that more creativity is coming from deep side of myself. Ive had more time to think and just be myself. I started a new project ‘’Key Workers’’ thanks to my colleague who motivated me after the first lock down. As I work in Food Factory part time, he suggested to capture the Pandemic and how we cope as key workers in this situation. Thanks to my great colleagues I was able to document how we stay strong together, full of hope and positive vibes almost hidden behind the walls.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to thank to everyone who give me the opportunity to grow this year, for all the new projects and new connections I made and I hope and wish for everyone to never give up on their dreams.