MINIMO
PHOTOGRAPHER FEATURED IN MINIMAL | VOL.3 | ISSUE.3
My name is Olivia Ghalioungui, a photographer from Egypt, Greece, and Italy. I was raised between Cairo, and Antiparos (a small village in the Cycladic Islands), and while I never spent any time in Italy, my mother made sure it was the first language I ever spoke. You could say my background is quite mixed.
Q. A short Biography about yourself:
My name is Olivia Ghalioungui, a photographer from Egypt, Greece, and Italy. I was raised between Cairo, and Antiparos (a small village in the Cycladic Islands), and while I never spent any time in Italy, my mother made sure it was the first language I ever spoke. You could say my background is quite mixed.
Q. What sparked your interest in Portrait/Fashion Photography?
I first noticed my obvious gravitation towards portrait and fashion photography in Cairo while I was completing my Senior year of High School. I have always been an observer of people; a looker. When I started taking Photography classes in High School, the idea that I could take the act of looking and translate that into something material opened so many new doors. My interest started with portrait photography, then developed into fashion photography over the years.
Q. How often are you shooting fashion editorials and where do you find your inspiration?
As I am currently obtaining my BFA in Photography, I do not have as much time as I'd wish, to shoot editorials. However I would say that I shoot one fashion editorial every month at the moment! I find my inspiration in nature, people, and architecture.
Q. How did you find your style and are you still evolving?
I think style is always evolving. I sometimes still struggle to label or pinpoint my exact style, even though peers around me see a very distinctive style in my photos. I think a never-ending part of growing as a photographer is learning about yourself through your images.
Q. How did you grow your social presence?
I started social media for my photography about six years ago. At the moment, I currently share my works on Instagram and my website. I also think connecting in the real world with artists helps with growing your network, as well as potentially meeting people you could work with in the future.
Q. What do you look for in a location when you are scouting for your photoshoot?
I love a location that is outdoors and solitary, with not much around to distract. My ideal locations would be the desert or any off-road terrain. Being based in Paris at the moment, that kind of location might be hard to find, so sometimes compromise is inevitable. There are some spots on the outskirts of the city that I have noted down and saving for future shoots.
Q. What advice do you have for a beginner photographer wanting to create their first editorial?
I would advise to have a set theme or story for the editorial, as that is essential to have a cohesive series. In the end it is not as important to worry about what camera to use, for example. As long as the images work together to communicate a bigger message.
Q. Does the passion ever run dry and what are some ways you regain that “spark” when it’s lost?
For me, the passion has never run dry! I do get the occasional creative block, and the way I deal with that is to understand where the block may be coming from, maybe I have something else on my mind that is overpowering my creative flow. It is important for me to understand my thoughts. When I find the cause, I let it run its course. I think that there is no purpose in going against a creative block, it happens to everyone.
Q. Tell us about the craziest scenario you’ve been in to get the perfect photo!
In 2018 I was shooting a campaign by the sea in Portugal, during Hurricane Leslie. There was a lighthouse in the distance connected to the mainland by a small path. Even though the waves looked treacherous and were at times even taller than the lighthouse, we wanted to get near it to get the perfect shot. It's a shame security wouldn’t let us go up that far. We did get some shots from afar though!
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Photographer: Jess Winterburn @jesswinterburnmedia
Model: Bethan Sowerby @bethansowerbyy @j’adoremodels
Stylist: Antonio Chiocca @antoniochiocca_stylist
📍Paris, France
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