Photographer Galina Butova

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Tokyo, Japan? :)

—I admire Emin Kuliyev's photo philosophy. If you follow his SNS and listen to what he says, you will gasp the tendencies of modern photo industry.

—Are you photogenic?

—Personally I think that there is no 'photogenic'. There is a model, a cameraman and their skills. By putting those skills together, we make the model look photogenic in the photos. Same goes for myself.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I started with capturing my friends' photos. They used the photos to post on SNS like instagram and facebook. But as you scroll down the feed, old photos fade... Wedding photos are something that is to be remembered forever, through generations.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Feelings, emotions and that small bond that ties between the model and the cameraman.

—Do you love traveling?

—I love travelling! I used to make photo shoots when I traveled to Japan, now I live here and make photos of couples who travel here for a proposal or honeymoon.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—I love to make new connections with different people from all over the world.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—You never know, what's going to happen! But that's a good thing, too. I learned to be flexible and creative to solve any problems.

—What will be the future of photography?

—I suppose it will become more personal. I see a global tendency of not publishing personal photos on the Internet.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—It is a chance to capture a masterpiece with a bride, a groom and your camera. Limited conditions create great art.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I think there could be no progress without good criticism.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Sure. As I said earlier, I always trust Emin Kuliyev's opinion on that matter.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—You sit in front of your PC/mobile phone, look through the photos and... See your faces instead of those in the photos. That means the photographer's style appeals you. Go on and message him!

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—If you plan to change a lot of locations, you should hire a driver for a whole day, a spacey car, where you can take a break.
You should also avoid hiring lots of new ideas during the session. Example: let's climb that huge mountain! ... Oh, I'm tired and dirty and we don't have any time left...

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—Small details.
It can be said both for the looks of groom and bride AND for the surroundings. You can create a great shoot if you notice a mirror, a keyhole, a flower or any other cute little element that makes your photo individual.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—In my photos, composition plays the greatest role.
The second important thing is color and light balance.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—It's hard to tell, really. But being a working woman, I admire Emma Watson. She has her 21st century trends.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—I want to take beautiful wedding photos with breathtaking landscapes in the background. Unfortunately, such places are quite far from Tokyo; you would need a whole day to get there (note me if you don't mind travelling and I'll tell you where'd we go)

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Not at all. You should try everything.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Those who love each other and spread the love everywhere they go. :)

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I believe I'm not a worrisome person. Don't worry, be happy!

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—When I first ran a full marathon. I was impressed by myself, by the world, by the people. Unforgettable experience.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—I would be Moana. Because I love nature and ocean. I actually do surfing and diving, so I would be especially interested to shoot that kind of photos someday.