Katarzyna Laskus-Stwora
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My name is Katarzyna Laskus-Stwora. I am a photography teacher, and a PhD photography student in Wroclaw. My journey with photography started when I was 15. I was lucky that my first photographic steps allowed me for an exploration of an analogue photography which was a contributing factor to developing my sensitivity to working with light, composition and colour in a more traditional way.
2. Where did you study photography?
I studied Photography and Multimedia at Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan and Faculty of Graphic Arts in Krakow.
I am an active member of Association of Polish Art Photographers https://zpaf.pl/
and of Autorskie Laboratorium Fotografii under Piotr Komorowski in Wroclaw https://www.fotografiaautorska.com/katarzynalaskus-fvkb
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first images were underexposed so I don't remember exactly what I was shooting. Out of 36 exposures only 3 showed something, and these were landscapes.
4. What equipment do you use?
I use variety of equipment depending on the project I am involved in. Most recently I shoot with Canon and my smart phone.
I like experimenting with more traditional modalities, integrating digital and pin hole photography. I print on all materials possible, I like exploring new ways of presenting my work. I am into hybrid photography.
5. What do you hope to achieve?
I forever strive to achieve a creative flow, where I can freely express new ideas and concepts. My main goal is to create with ease and with no limitations. I would like to feel that my creative expression is not restricted by either time or other more material implications.
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
I am touched by my students who enjoy my lectures, showing high level of concentration and curiosity. As a result of our collaboration a number of them secured photographic awards already, having not graduated yet.
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
I am inspired by a number of factors, the greatest inspiration is my daily life and my environment. Referring to my awarded self portrait 'Mother', I was inspired by the motherhood and all the challenges and joys as well as intense feelings and emotions connected with it.
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
thinking
vision
action
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the New York Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It means the world to me. Being recognised as a photographer always gives me tremendous joy, but having been awarded on an international level by a reputable photographic organisation motivates me greatly and is an invaluable reward for all the efforts I put into something I love and care for very much.
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 New York Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
As mentioned before I am currently inspired by the blissful yet challenging realities of motherhood. I am a mother of 3 young children, who I love engaging in my creative explorations as much as I can. Here is one of the examples.
Beyond a personal sentiment, I believe this work symbolically represents what it means to be a woman in Polish realities today. It is characteristic of many multilayered struggles and difficulties. I believe that many can find other universal truths in this piece, motherhood as a collective experience beyond borders.
11. How has winning an award developed your career?
I am feeling that new doors are opening for me with your special award and that new opportunities and offers have started to come my way.
12. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Diana Arbuz,
Robert Mapplethorpe,
Walker Evans
13. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
The best piece of advise I received by my mentor, is to sustain daily contact with photography, it can be by the means of reading about it, creating or being exposed to artwork of others. Any of these things contributes to your ongoing growth as a practitioner.
14. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
I would pass on the advise I have received from my mentor shared with you above.
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Combine hard work with a good dose of imagination.
16. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I continue researching, exploring, networking, creating opportunities to collaborating with other artists, being involved in social media networks, following new releases and publications.
17. Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
I would like to thank you once more for recognising my artwork. It means a lot to me. With best wishes for a wonderful New Year.
Katarzyna Laskus-Stwora
