kristyna gorgun
my approach
LIFESTYLE \ documentary
I want to document things the way they are and feel like for YOU and your family. WHY?
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Because posed photographs with stiff smiles will not give you many feelings later on in life. Yes, you notice that hairstyle you had or the favourite sweater your son wore.
But imagine, you find a box of old photographs in your grandma's attic. Which set will most likely make you laugh, shed a tear, feel the goosebumps and warm your heart? - her standing tall in a school photograph/Christmas family portrait or a candid moment of hugging her child (your mom or dad), blushing and smiling while your grandpa hugged her, give her a kiss in her hair...? A pretty simple choice isn't it.
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Don’t worry, you will get nice looking-at-camera portraits
but I won’t make the whole session about them, and they may not be perfect too - one child bursting in laughter due to all the tickles, another one looking at you smiling. In my view, that's perfection. YOURS truly.
EMOTIONS
This is my entire focus in photography. That's what is my "assignment" for EACH session. I want to capture what you feel.
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The emotions are what you want to remember forever, to be able to feel them again a few years later. Emotion always tops the appearance, or if you will, posed perfection.
The way you felt when you were expecting your first baby - full of wonder, excitement, love. The way your world turned upside down, that new kind of overwhelming love you felt in those first days after your baby was born. The way you heart burst every time your children hug you so tight or when your partner look at you with a smile in their eyes and you just know how much they love you.
EDITING
I would also love for you to get familiar with how I edit. I spend 6-8 hours on each gallery; on average. It is the most time-consuming part of my work. I strive to make each photo up to my standards, in sync with my portfolio's overall look and feel. It is essential, and I cannot stress that enough, that you make yourself familiar with my style of photography.
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I don't do heavy Photoshop, I edit out certain temporary things, such as blemishes and some tiny stains on your clothing, if necessary. But I won't make you look different or alter images by removing furniture you have at home. Why?
Because when on location, especially at your home, I'm looking for natural and authentic moments and emotions to document how your life is. Your home is. Because, especially with children, it is always chaos, but I love it so much as it captures those messy days full of love that we'll miss one day.
Because your smiley wrinkles are what your husband loves about you.
So, I choose to caption the emotion and, in someone's eyes imperfections, right there at the moment rather than spend time moving things around (which always leads to missing THE moment) and telling you to go fix your lipstick. I'm actually a fan of these real life stuff, such as muddy knees from playing in the puddles, sand in your hair put there by kids while playing on a beach, ice cream on your kid's face while having one at home etc. (memories!!). Embrace it and keep these photos close to your heart.
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Also, please bear in mind that each gallery will look different. Like every family is different. And visually - depending on the season, time of day, weather, and even your outfits. Light plays the biggest role. If you choose a location in spring during the afternoon, the final colours and feel will be different than shooting at the same spot in fall during the golden hour. But still, I aim to keep the final product aligned visually with the rest of my work and my style.
THE UNPOSED IN-BETWEENS
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I have my camera in action the entire session (maybe a good idea to leave your bag in the car for all the "what ifs") to catch the in-between moments whilst hoping they will eventually take over the session. Sometimes they do, sometimes not and that’s okay too. It is your story after all.
So, if you get caught by surprise by me snapping a few shots while you are not ready, please don't freeze, keep on walking, talking - I still pay attention and I most likely loved the moment so I wanted to capture it. I'm an overshooter, because sometimes I get that golden photo when unposed and it's worth those 1000 images to cull afterwards! Rest assured, you looking pretty & natural is one of my main goals.
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Bottom line: We meet. We talk. I put you in a nice spot with a good light, probably tell you to stand, sit down or walk in a certain direction; and then step back and let you do your thing, and focus on each other like you are used to.
HERE FOR THE REAL
I want you to do what YOU want to do at that moment. Sometimes you feel like kissing him on the cheek, but then you don’t because “is it awkward”? “what should I do?” and I SAY: please do kiss him, do hug your kids, tickle them under their chin, JUST GO FOR IT. Because then you open up, relax and show your REAL smile (that suits you best btw) and I'm so pumped when those moments start happening because it's a breakthrough and I may {awkwardly} encourage you to do more.
Show me your love so I can show it back to you.
I often try to keep you moving somehow. Staying still makes you (and photos) stiff. We walk, talk!, dance, throw the kids in the air, chase them, and play with them.. You know the best what makes your loved ones laugh, relax, and have fun - especially with kiddos. I can be as awkwardly funny as much as I can but in the end it's usually you who can turn things around. And I'm not talking about bribes - these are the last resort haha. I want you to spend the hour with me having fun & good family time.
I promise,
the more you shift your focus away from me to the people you are there with, the more authentic the images will look and you’ll love them more.
