Interview with Portrait Photographer Martin Krystynek

Lifestyle - Interview

by Melisa Kaya

Each profession requires different skills. Even the different branches of the same profession may require different skills. Photography is one of them as a profession with many different specialties. Fashion photography is different from portrait photography, portrait photography is different from liquid photography. A portrait photographer should probably have better human relationships than any other photographer, and be able to reach the people they're photographing. Portrait photography requires to have the ability to see people different from each other and to reflect the sensations in their eyes. I talked with Martin Krystynek about Portrait Photography.

Martin, before talking about photography, I would like to learn more about you, could you tell us about yourself? Who is Martin Krystynek?

I was born in Poprad, Slovakia in 1982. After school, I started a business with my father with industrial goods. In 2007 I fall in love with photography. I am a self-taught photographer, so I practiced several years doing photography for friends for free. Those were very hard times, working 24/7. In 2010 I decided to try another country, I`ve chosen South America, especially Paraguay, where I learned a lot about photography, business and I gained the necessary experience. I worked for many important people from the field of politics, modeling or show business.

Past 2 years I am also working for biggest national television TV Markiza as a cameraman, when we cover news and lifestyle reportages.

People - Photo by Martin Krystynek

You are Qualified European Photographer (QEP), board member of FEP (Federation of European Professional Photographers), and the president of Association of Professional Photographers of Slovak Republic. Could you tell us about your professional career?

I was accepted as a member of Association of Professional Photographers of Slovak Republic [APFSR] in 2013 and in 2015 I was nominated and selected as a president of our national photographic organization APFSR, which is also a member of Federation of European Professional Photographers [FEP] based in Brussel. After some years involved in APFSR and FEP, I was nominated and selected as a board member of FEP.

I am also a captain of the national photographic team in World Photographic Cup for 5 years.

People - Photo by Martin Krystynek

How did you decide to establish your own studio? Could you tell us about your studio and your team?

I started my own studio in Slovakia in 2010, it was a small studio but big enough for my starting projects. Then I moved to bigger space and began to find partners. My wife Patricia is with me from the early beginning as a makeup artist, now she runs her own beauty studio. I have some permanent members such a blogger, web-designer, photographer and videographer to cover all our businesses.

What type of services do you offer to your clients?

As we have a team of professionals, we offer all kind of photography from portraits, newborn, maternity, reportage to wedding and commercials.

Photo by Martin Krystynek

How did your interest in portrait photography has begun? What is the most special aspect of portrait photography for you?

I was always fascinated by beauty, faces, bodies, and emotions, and all these aspects I am trying to catch in my photos. My friend and excellent photographer have a motto and I totally agree with him. It says that “All faces are beautiful, you just need to be close enough”.

What is the importance of portrait photos for businessperson and companies? Why should they work with a professional photographer?

In short, a professional photographer has years of advanced knowledge, skills, creative vision, and photographic accessories needed to practice his profession.

People - Photo by Martin Krystynek

Is it possible for abroad clients to work with you for their portrait photo shots? Do you like travelling?

I love traveling, so where is will, there is way :D

Which factors determine the project budget?

It depends on the time of preparing, shooting and editing. Some projects which are very interesting I am doing for free, because I love shooting.

Photo by Martin Krystynek

You have lived in different countries. How has the exposure to different cultures affected your photographic approach?

It`s very different when you shoot in South America or in central Europe. In countries like Paraguay, Brasil or Argentina they don`t have a problem with nudity for example, because of the weather and culture, people in central Europe are affected by past regime and religion, so it was more difficult to work and to explain what was my vision during my projects.

You have decorated your career with over 300 international awards. Could you tell us about awards that you won?

I remember, my first award was a gold award for a nude photo of a beautiful model, laying on the ground in the play with lighting and shadows which arises charm, sensualism, and inimitability of a woman. With her natural beauty, with her emotions and feelings, with her awesome body which is covered and uncovered at the same time. This photo was so sensual for me, that I named my collection SENSUAL BEAUTY consisting of sensual and emotive pictures of natural female beauty. Collection of photos assigned to the celebration of a woman as a human being, as a goddess, as a mother, sister, and daughter and as a personality.

After I won my first award I was so motivated, so I tried several most known international photo competitions where I succeed. Every competition has a different goal and vision, so there are also competitions where I will never succeed with photos which won tons of gold.

Photo by Martin Krystynek

What are the advantages of being an award-winning photographer?

I see the advantage of being an award-winning photographer in international publicity and exposure, publications and exhibitions.

You are also working as a judge at international photography competitions. How does it feel to be on the other side of the desk?

After winning more than 350 awards you got some experience and knowledge to evaluate the potential of photos, so move on the other side of the desk is only the question of the time.

I am very happy and honored to be part of judge panel in competitions like FEP European Photographer of The Year, VOUBS, BIFA [which is part of IPA] and others.

Nowadays I am also working as a curator on the most prestigious international curated photography site 1x.com.

Photo by Martin Krystynek

What advice would you give to photographers who want to pursue a career in portrait photography?

My only advice is to shoot as much as possible, learn about light, practice communication between model and photographer and be patient.

LOVE - Photo by Martin Krystynek

What is your favorite photograph that you have ever taken?

It is a photograph of my wife and my son, some weeks after he was born. This photo won 5 gold awards in several competitions and is the example what I am trying to shoot, beauty and emotions.

What do you think about social media? How can our readers follow you?

I will really appreciate if I can find new friends, followers and inspirational people on social media.

My social media:

https://www.instagram.com/martinkrystynek/

https://www.facebook.com/krystynek

http://www.martinkrystynek.com

Thank you Martin for your time.

For more information, please click here to visit the website of Martin Krystynek

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Monday, February 4, 2019. All photos are the property of their respective owners.