SOL sat down to chat with Cape Town based photographer Sven Kristian who has shot for the likes of GQ, Mr.P, Cosmopolitan and an array of up and coming fashion brands.

Sven spoke to us about his start in photography, how a hybrid skillset is the way to go and how his photograph ‘Always Observing’ perfectly sums him up.

You can keep up to date with the world of Sven Kristian on Instagram @svenkristianstudio and view more of his work on his official website here.

Did you always know that Photography was your calling?

Not quite, I actually spent 10 years grinding away in the hospitality industry locally and abroad, before I decided to move to South Africa and change my career to making photographs.tension in other projects that will be presented during 202.

Has creativity always been a big part of your life?

In my teens I got interested in playing guitar and taught myself some Green Day riffs and was hooked on making music from there on in. I enjoyed playing in bands and collaborating with other musicians, so I suppose my creative thinking has in a large way stemmed from that.

One of your earliest memories that hugely impacted you and pushed you to your vocation?

My mother was a portrait photographer in her early twenties and thirties, and I remember having to spend hours in the darkroom with her when I was between 3 and 5 years old. I never thought that it directly impacted me because there was only so much a child at that age could do to survive boredom in a literally dark room, and I had no interest in what she was doing (sadly). But in hindsight it possibly had everything to do with it. Who knows. Ultimately I’m glad I eventually ‘saw the light’, haha.

As someone involved in the field of Photography, aesthetics plays a vital role- what does it mean to you on both a professional and personal level?

Aesthetics plays a massive role in our field, and it’s something I consider with every shoot or image I make. It’s not always a hit, there are many misses, but understanding aesthetics and knowing what works well together and what does not, is very much key in creating a pleasing image that is aesthetically balanced, authentic, and underlined with emotion. On a personal level, I’ve learnt to approach everything with a ‘Less is More’ attitude and going in from there. In my opinion, as long as you understand all the rules, then you’re free to break them because you know WHY you’re doing it, and that for me is a key in aesthetics.

Take us through your creative process when coming up with a new body of work?

As mentioned in the previous question, I live by ‘less is more’. So depending on what I am shooting, say, for example, an editorial, I then take in consideration all the elements that I want to include in the story, and I think about balance. Research and mood boards are always part of the beginning stages, and help shape the idea into a story. But often it can start with a simple piece of inspiration, whether it is from an existing image or artwork, a movie scene or a sentence from a book. It’s super difficult to come up with original work nowadays, but it’s how we interpret it and execute it that makes it our own. So I think about that as well, keeping it within my creative signature.

In this Digital era, how do you envision the role of the Photographer in years to come? And in particular within the social media spectrum?

Commercially speaking, I think there will still be major room for us as image makers to continue and have successful careers as photographers, but I do believe that we need to add to our skillsets and become more hybrid between stills and moving image or even graphic design work, as more and more clients are requesting additional mediums in this fast paced world of social media. Content is King in this current climate. Artistically speaking, it’s a different story altogether and if you’re a successful artist and you shoot only stills on film for example, then that’s all you need. Art lives on, and is not as dependant on the requirements of the commercial world.

You are currently based in Cape Town, what do you make the creative scene in South Africa?

There is no doubt that we have many many brilliant creatives in South Africa, and slowly but surely we’re continuing to grow and becoming more known to others outside of our borders, which is great. I definitely think our scene (more-so even the continent) can hold its own globally. I enjoy seeing all the great work coming from local creatives and artists. It’s also refreshing to see that some of SA’s fashion designers are making big strides internationally. Wholly deserved!

Do you believe in creative collaboration and if so are there any creatives you would like to collaborate with in the future?

Collaboration is very important and I think it’s great way for everyone to come together and make beautiful images together. I’m always open to collaboration. I enjoy shooting lookbooks for fashion designers, building a concept together and making it happen. It’s not always about the money for me and I know how difficult it can be to get up and running, so if I can help an up and coming or skilled designer move forward in their business, then that brings me a great amount of joy.

What have been some of your professional highlights thus far?

Every successful shoot is a highlight for me. Whether it’s for a small start up designer or a larger international label, or a personal project I am proud of, the highlight would be equal. I’m just thankful that I have the privilege of doing this as a career.

What have been some of your professional highlights thus far?

Every successful shoot is a highlight for me. Whether it’s for a small start up designer or a larger international label, or a personal project I am proud of, the highlight would be equal. I’m just thankful that I have the privilege of doing this as a career.

Where can one creep on your work?

Instagram:@svenkristianstudio
Website:www.svenkristian.com

Are here any exciting new projects for you on the horizon that you would like to mention?

I’m playing with an idea for a project that has the potential to be a lovely series, and can hopefully work beautifully as a book. It may take a few years to complete as some of the images will rely on chance, stemming from nature or as found objects. Other images would require a planned approach and will be executed in a slightly more controlled way. It is a project that will dive a little more into the world of documentary and purpose.

Finally if you could be summed up in one of your photographs, which one would it be and why?

Always observing.