Meet the Photographer (Armand Sallabanda)

Full Name : Armand Sallabanda

Profession : Photographer 

Origin : Albanian 

Currently living : Tirana, Albania

- Tell us about a little bit about yourself 

They found me under a cauliflower, in the early November in Tirana. They were a pianist and an engineer, (God knows why they pulled me out of there because I was so good there). I grew up reading comics (paperino, topolino dhe Dylan Dog) and listening to Tchajkowsk and Mozart, often even without my desire. Who knows me says I`m an arrogant and prepotent. I don`t think they got it completely wrong. 

- What got you into photographing? 

Curiosity. I was very curious since when little. And voyeur. I used to have an old analog camera in the house (East Germany production). I mostly used that one on my trips. I took my first shoots with that one. I keep that camera even today as a precious thing. Later on, in a trip to NY I studied photography, the techniques and I experimented with my first digital camera, a Nikon D40X. That was a turning point, from my studies for history and diplomacy, I started looking forward photography. 

- What is your style as a photographer?

My style as a photographer is Neoclassicism. I try not to do fashion photography, it’s not enough for me.    

- What type of cameras do you shoot with?

I use Canon 5D MarkII

- Tell us about your job experiences through years, and about your current one.

I started photographing flowers, birds, nature, later I started doing my first portraits. They were mostly of my friends, until I started working for magazines. I currently keep working on several magazines

- Which Albanian and foreigner photographers do you admire the most?

From the Albanian photographers I like the work of Sotiri (Korce), but also the photos of Kel Marubi. But the one that keeps inspiring me with his work is Helmut Newton.

- Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph?

Naturally the list would be too long… But if I could turn back my head, I would like to photograph cult characters of the art world, like the Paris` 20s artists or the figures of the sexual revolution of the 60s.  

- Which is your favorite photo you have shoot and why?

My favorite photo is the one I haven’t done yet. 

- Which is a perfect location for a photo-shoot?

Mind, I try to photograph the invisible part, there is less importance for the background…

- Any career goals?

I don`t have career goals, photography and passion go beyond that. The biggest wealth that derives from such passion is the man`s tendency to escape his biological fate.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Love, Kiki