Photographer Marina Rygalina

—First and foremost – whom can you name as the best photographer in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain? :)

—I don't know my direct competition, since I am concentrating on my own professional development and growth

—Are you photogenic?

—I usually look good on pictures if I am not caught off guard:)

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—I was starting from Sensual Private Sessions, then was drawn into Beauty and Fashion Fields. At some point I was taking part in the shoots for the Wedding Dresses. I was fascinated by the beauty of the dresses, and realised that it is mainly the fairytale effect that I like, and it started showing in my pictures.

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

—Emotions, composition, colour palette, light, decor elements

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes, totally exciting. Now I live in a smaller town in the mountains and although it is great as a home, it makes me want to get out once in a while for a search of an adventure and beauty.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Creating Beauty. I see it everywhere and in almost everything and I like to show it through the lens...
I want other people to see it the way I see it.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—It takes me some time before I can sit on a computer and go through pictures. I can not do it right away after the shoot. I tend to be very excited after the event and am liking everything, without criticism, it is hard to make a selection of the best pictures. But if I come back to them in a week, I tend to cool down with my emotions and I can look at my work objectively already.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Drone operated maybe????:)))

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

—The situation is dynamic and you have less time to adjust to the fast changing conditions.

—How do you handle criticism?

—I am an artist and this is my vision, sensitive as all the artist are, since I am not doing by the book. But I do listen, digest it, learn and adjust.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—There are lots of styles, I wouldn't call it tendencies in photography. It is all very influenced as well by the wedding styles, dresses and decor.

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

—Uniqueness, aesthetics and style closest to their vision

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—To intrude, criticise or be negative.

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

—All those secret moments and the sparks between the couple. Also all those little things that took so much time to organise, that might go unnoticed to the unprofessional eye

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

—Emotion, composition, color

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

—Social Media

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Celebrities
Weddings
Love Stories
Portraits
Wedding Catalogues
Sensual Shoots

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—No. If something looks good and aesthetic, how can it be prohibited?

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—Someone I could benefit from learning, like Lindenberg, Leibowitz, David La Chapelle, and there is many more...

—What do you worry about, and why?

—That batteries go out:)))

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The birth of my children:) Life did change after that:)

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

—Cat Woman:)

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—There isn't any in particular...instagram is pretty good source of inspiration:)

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—When clients are coming back and recommending further.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—It is harder to earn a respect!

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—I don't look at anything as a mistake, it is an experience

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—When travelling for work I take camera and off camera flash lights. As for leisure time, Iphone is enough, and lots of cloths and cosmetics of course.

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—I was hesitant about which lens to get. I choose 50mm 1,4 lens, which is amazing for portraits, but you have to constantly move with it since it is not a zoom. Not sure if I would change it, but I would love to get an extra zoom lens.
Some studio lights were not really useful since I prefer to work on the go.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—I observe what I like and do everything to figure out how was it done.I also like attending workshops of my favourite photographers cause you tend to see their direct approach and means of how they achieved it. At the end of the day, you also stay with a photo data from real photoshoots to work with later.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Christiano Ostinelli and Tali Photography

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—It takes more than talent, mainly the preservance

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—Beauty is inside of Us

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—I want to be the Best in what I do.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—They should have paid more attention to what I like.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—I would have started with photography at much earlier age.

—What about life on other planets?

—I believe so:)

—Who are your heroes?

—My husband :)

—Who do you have no respect for?

—My farther :(
Others I can not judge, as their impact on me hasn't been so excruciating

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Either with family and kids in the mountains doing some sports or by myself and with friends going out in a big city

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—Sensitive

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—As soon as I stopped working on the pictures and submitting them to client.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—Yes, I was born in Russia with an Asian mentality, where the Man is the leader. But I was raised in Europe where there is no Gender.

—Do you make friends easily?

—I am very friendly in general. But real friends? Not really, since I tend to keep my distance for a while longer.

—Where would you like to live?

—I prefer to stay where I am right now and just travel a lot.

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—I don't keep the track of those:)))

—Is there life after marriage?

—Hard to believe:))) but yes, it does exist:)))
I am happily married myself for 10 years already.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Hard One:)

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Cats

—Who or what do you hate?

—Hate is a strong word

—The best thing in life is:

—Me not having to work in the office for 9 hours a day and doing what I like

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Having to think about money

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—Living conditions and move into my dream house

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—To get some super powers:)

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Pollution and Global warming
Hunger and Poverty

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Don't think too much! Go for it! Overthing tends to stop us from doing things.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Please let me go, I have kids, they need me:)

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Romantic Comedy of course:)

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—Checking out the venue of the Saturday's Wedding.