Meet the Photographer (Sonny K. Elson)

Full Name : Sonny K. Elson

Profession : Photographer 

Origin : Albanian 

Currently living : Tirana, Albania

Follow Sonny of Facebook Fanpage : http://www.facebook.com/SonnyKElsonPhotographer

·         Tell us a bit about yourself

Even though my name, Sonny K. Elson which might sound foreign, I was actually born in Tirana. While growing up I thought I was going to head towards music (accordion, guitar, tastier) but I got to understand along the way that I was really interested in photography.

·         What got you into photography?

I got into photography quite by chance and it happened because of my meeting with a photographer in Italy, where I have lived for 8 years. At first I offered to help him with the images in the computer but later as I got familiar with the cameras and working as an assistant, I started to learn much more. Being able to stop and capture different moments of my life, or even others` made me grow into it.

·         What is your photography style?

My style?! Well I don`t know yet… better put it like originality. I usually make photos of different categories even though in Albania I am known as a fashion photographer.

·         What camera do you use?

I prefer Nikon, so I use Nikon D3 and Nikon D300. Although I am nostalgic from time to time and use a Nikon (me film) F 601 and a Minolta x 9.

·         Tell us a little more about your job experiences and your actual job

I started working in Italy as an assistant until I got jobs for different local newspapers and magazines, always speaking in province level. As my work got more professional I was asked to exhibit my photos in local clubs until I got to put up 4 to 5 exhibitions from 2006 to 2008. Currently I own a studio in Tirana, where I work independently and I also work for Iconagency.

 

·         Which of the Albanian and foreigner photographers do you admire most?

I am not really acquainted with Albanian photographers due to the fact that I have been living abroad until recently. I have seen some pieces but not enough to create a firm opinion of whose work I like most or less. As about foreigner photographers, I would say Marco Glaviano, Peter Lindbergh, Bruno Bisang, Dominique Issermann, ect.

·         What or whom would you love to photograph?

Everyone has some wishes, possible or impossible. I would love to photograph the most important actors who actually built Albanian cinematography and which are today scattered or forgotten. If it is true that a photo is worth a 1000 words, they have way much more to tell.

·         Which of your works is your favorite and why?

My favorite work of the moment is the photo of model, Amina Shena. It was a photo taken by chance during a shot, she was sited under an umbrella because the shadow was soothing for the eyes, which I actually didn`t realize until I uploaded the photo in the pc and saw it`s beauty.

·         Which is the perfect location for a shot?

I don`t know if it exists, the perfect location, because I think every experienced photographer has the ability of transforming even a poor location into a decent one. It also depends on what should be on the photo.

·         Any career goals?

My goal is to be simple and clear in my work. Being a good photographer doesn't mean getting in a certain level, but making the best of what you are capable of what you love doing, because the public prefers simple things. The rest is just commercial.

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Love, Kiki