Fotograf Maria Simon

—Först och främst - vem kan du nämna som den bästa fotografen i Ibiza, Spanien? :)

—I think the best photographer is the one who you feel a connection and comfortable with. Each wedding is unique as is your vision of photography.
There is no " best". Its more about the most suitable for you.

—Är du fotogenisk?

—If a friend catches me in a candid happy moment, yes!

—Hur började du inom fotografi?

—I always loved to paint and craft and my plan was to study arts. But then a camera got into my hands and I felt so enthusiastic and passionate about taking pictures that I decided overnight to become a photographer. The rest is history :-)

—Vilka är enligt dig de viktigaste komponenterna för ett bra fotografi?

—If I remember it :-) We have so much visual input every day. If a photo creates a feeling, a mood and tells a story, its a big winner. Of course the tones, setting and composition are important too. Most of all they have to fit the story.

—Älskar du att resa?

—Yes I absolutely LOVE traveling and capturing weddings across Europe.

—Vad gillar du mest med ditt yrke?

—Connecting with people and finding beauty in everything. The freelance aspect. Creating constantly. The process of editing and putting the story together. I absolutely LOVE to meet so many inspiring souls along the way.

—Hur kommer framtiden för fotografering att se ut?

—Hopefully a return to simplicity, rawness, authenticity. Photography appreciated and valued as art, not as "content creating".

—Vad är det speciella med den fotografigenre du specialiserar i?

—I work across various genres and they all have their magic.

—Hur hanterar du kritik?

—Criticism lets me grow constantly and pushes me out of my comfort zone.

—Vad bör kriterierna vara för en kund som ska välja en fotograf?

—It depends on your priorities. I would say the connection and the style you are looking for, are very important. You should feel comfortable and relaxed with your photographer of choice.

—Vad påverkar fotots värde? Vilka är dess element?

—A timeless photo is always the winner

—Vem vill du fotografera?

—I always love to explore new faces. And I love freckles.

—Har du några professionella tabun?

—Yes. Elegance is key. When it gets tacky or pornographic, I am out.

—Vem skulle du vilja fotografera med?

—Romy Schneider, Alain Delon, Paul Newman, Sofia Loren, Monica Belucci....
I love all the actors from the earlier days...its an endless list :-)

—Om du vore en animerad, litterär eller filmkaraktär, vem skulle du vara och varför?

—Amelie.

—Vem är din inspirationskälla i livet och varför?

—people in general inspire me, sometimes a short conversation with a stranger brings a new aspect to my life

—Hur definierar du framgång? Hur mäter du framgång?

—Its already a big success when you love what you do and make a living from it.
When you reach your very personal goals in all areas of your life. Abundance, inner peace, love, health and of course a stable and established business. When work and life are in balance then I think you did it right :-)

—Föredrar du att vara omtyckt eller respekterad?

—Respected

—Vilket är det största misstaget som du har gjort på jobbet?

—Thankfully in more than two decades working as a photographer I never had any big errors at work.

—Hur utbildar du dig själv för att bli en bättre fotograf?

—I watch movies, look through photography books. I love improving through practice.

—Vems arbete har haft störst inflytande över dig som fotograf?

—Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin among so many others.

—Vad försöker du säga med dina fotografier?

—I was never a provocateur. I just want to create magical moments, capture beauty in all ways and create timeless memories. The world is a tough place and somehow I just want to take you with me to a happy place.

—Vad motiverar dig att fortsätta att ta bilder?

—First of all my happy and grateful clients. They keep me going and motivated! And probably my creative mind when I have a new story in my head.

—Tror du att det finns liv på andra planeter?

—I would say get this planet sorted out first, but I am sure we are not alone.

—Vilka är dina hjältar?

—My friends and my family who are doing so much to make this world a better place. And all those great minds and spiritual teachers.

—Vad gör du på fritiden?

—Reading, watching movies, traveling and spending time at the sea for sunsets.I love cooking for my friends, especially freestyle curries

—När är du fullständigt tillfredsställd med ditt arbete?

—I am a perfectionist with my work so I am always evolving ;-)

—Är det enkelt för dig att skaffa vänner?

—Yes, I am very curious to meet new people and very easy going

—Var skulle du vilja bo?

—I absolutely love Ibiza where I am based for a long time but Italy is my second home ;-)

—Gillar du hundar eller katter?

—I love cats but I shot an advertising campaign for a dog product where I met so many dogs that I fell in love with almost all of them :-)

—Det bästa med livet är:

—the simple things

—Vad vill du ändra på i världen?

—The way we treat nature to start with... its an endless story

—Kan du ge några råd till nya fotografer?

—Keep your vision and your uniqueness, it will pay off one day.

—Om du skulle bli tillfrågad att spela in en film, vilken genre skulle det vara?

—a Lovestory, always

—Imorgon kommer jag att...

—Enjoy my morning coffee in the sunshine.