Valokuvaaja Anastasia Rassia

—Ennen kaikkea - kenet voit nimetä parhaaksi kuvaajaksi kaupungissasi? :)

—Let me start by saying this: Every photographer has their own style – just as customers have their own likings! Each couple has their own vision, their own aesthetic, and luckily, there are a lot of different styles out there!All in all, of course there are more skilled and less skilled photographers in Athens, but what matters is whose photos stole your heart!

—Oletko valokuvauksellinen?

—I don't find myself particularly photogenic, however people are much more photogenic when they feel relaxed. |Being yourself, is all we – photographers- are aiming for!Of course more often than not brides & grooms have difficulty to be natural in front of a camera, and this is a big part of our job! To make them stress free and actually enjoy the experience!

—Miten päädyit valokuvausalalle?

—Well, since I was young , photography interested me quite a lot, as my father was an amateur – but quite dedicated- photographer. Unfortunately, I was convinced pretty early that it's a profession that won't help me make a living, and I aimed for Computer School, which I also found interesting.After finishing my studies and working in the field, I understood that this was not for me, as I really felt my need to express my creativity . After some temporary jobs, I took the decision to finally enrol in a Photography Academy, and that's how everything began!

—Mikä on sinusta tärkeintä hyvässä kuvassa?

—Framing, tonality, color, theme. Knowing what to isolate from a scene, incorporating the more shades and tones you can, creating a mood with your colors, and finding the essence of what you see.

—Tykkäätkö matkustamisesta?

—Well, like most people, I really do! My adult life, whenever I had some money to spent, I invested them all for travelling.Most of my travels I did them alone, as I find it a much better way to get a real grasp of a city's vibe.And truth is, being in a new environment is super inspiring in my photography!

—Mistä pidät eniten ammatissasi?

—Well, there are several reasons. I really like interacting with people and hearing their love stories, or their thoughts on their wedding day. It's super fun for me, to try to incorporate their style to my photographic approach.I love to be part of the whole day, all the unexpected things that can happen, really make it a very unique job. No wedding day is like the previous one!The editing, is a process that however tiring, really let's you express fully your creativity.And then the feedback! There's nothing that fills your heart more than hearing positive word from a couple! No matter my years in photography, whenever I get genuine compliments for my work, from a customer, a coworker, a competitor, a fan, is giving me tons of fuel to continue doing what I do and put more and more energy to it.In my opinion, it's a job that if you don't love, like truly enjoy and be satisfied from it, it is very difficult to succeed .

—Mistä pidät vähiten ammatissasi?

—A common answer to this , is I guess dealing with couples that your communication had difficulties. But what greater challenge than having to cooperate with people that you have very opposite points of view? I am a person who I really enjoy challenges, since they really push me forward, even if they make me feel stressed!

—Mikä on valokuvauksen tulevaisuus?

—Well this, I will never know. The big question here is weather someone can adapt to the new stuff. Cause this is what keeps a freelancer alive, the ability to adapt to new challenges.

—Mikä on sille valokuvauslajille erityistä, johon olet erikoistunut?

—I wouldn't say that I specialize in a specific genre, more like I incorporate stuff from some styles.For example, I love the emotion, the surprise, and the feel that you're looking through a keyhole on someone's life, that Documentary Photography has. Additionally, Traditional photography, like big family pictures, are timeless and a request of all couples, so I love to give them these shots.Black and White, in my opinion, gives also a filmic mood on wedding photos, making the people in them looking like protagonists of a 50s , 60s movie! And, have I ever told you my love for Cinematography?!Last but certainly not least, Landscape Photography it's a big passion for a lover of travelling like me! This style of photography , I really aim for when shooting Prewedding, Next Day or Engagement Sessions. Humans are a part of their environment and I love to show the connection between them.

—Kuinka suhtaudut kritiikkiin?

—Well, I'm a people's person, so I really like to be liked! I accept criticism but I will always try to find out why someone's opinion of me or my work is not in accordance with them. I'm an unrest soul and I most certainly will try to change my image towards the better!

—Onko valokuvauksessa trendejä?

—Of course, and they're changing by the minute. It's important to also take into account the different cultures and religions, since trends differentiate a lot according to those.

—Minkä kriteerien perusteella asiakkaan pitäisi valita valokuvaaja?

—That's a question that I can give some advice, but the part that each couple puts the importance on is completely subjective!First, is the style of the photos, from an aesthetic point of view, as well the moments that each photographer captures. For example, you like vivid colours, or moody, desaturated ones? You dream of looking like an instagram influencer, a romantic princess, or a contemporary woman? You have some amazing poses in mind, or you want to see some shots of you and your loved ones, interacting as you usually do? Look through some photographers' portfolios!Then, when you find your top 5, read carefully about the services they offer, and info about pricing, delivery etc., and you will find your perfect match!

—Mikä on ehdottomasti kiellettyä kuvauksessa?

—Nothing! Come as you are!

—Mitkä yksityiskohdat, jotka yleensä jäävät huomaamatta, valokuvaaja voi tallettaa?

—Unwanted people on the background, some details on the clothing that can be fixed and light directions, are some things that our couples usually don't see, and it's the photographer's job to notice!

—Mikä vaikuttaa kuvan arvoon? Mikä kuvissa on tärkeintä?

—That is a question with very subjective answers , since each couples values different elements! What I can say from my experience, is that a type of photo a couple is crazy for, another one doesn't really care!

—Kuka on sinun mielestäsi 2000-vuosisadan symboli?

—This question restrains a lot my thinking! Depending on the filed, there are quite a lot people that are symbols of our century, and I'm sure many more will be born!

—Ketä haluaisit kuvata?

—Well people- obviously-, landscapes, urban sceneries. I enjoy still life photography, but not in all forms.

—Onko sinulla ammatillisia tabuja?

—Taboos, in my opinion, are holding society back. So, no, but I do respect people's preferences.

—Kenen kanssa haluaisit kuvata?

—Hmm, I'm open to collabs :) !

—Mistä huolehdit ja miksi?

—To be honest, in these times, about Covid and only.

—Mikä on ollut elämäsi vaikuttavin hetki?

—I'm not that easily impressed!

—Kuka sinua on inspiroinut elämässäsi ja miksi?

—Several artists, people who overcame difficulties. Luckily we live in an era that many people can share their personal stories through social media.

—Miten ja millä perusteella määrittelisit menestyksen?

—Success for me, is close to happiness. Of course happiness is moments, but I would measure it by the amount of harmony you have in your life. Like a balanced person.

—Haluaisitko olla mieluummin tykätty vai kunnioitettu?

—I always thought of respect as a form of putting someone high, like taking into account his status. I don't really like mind who take their status that seriously, I would prefer to feel equal among others. So, I like to be liked, cause of my behaviour and opinions.

—Mikä on suurin virheesi, jonka olet tehnyt työssäsi?

—Not gonna lie, in the past I have done too much of a compromise to not make a customer unsatisfied. But now I have made things more clear for my prospective customers, so we don't end up in confusions later!

—Kun lähdet matkalle, mitä otat mukaasi ja miksi?

—It's my partner, since we both love to discover.

—Oletko koskaan toivonut, ettet olisi ostanut jotain omistamistasi vempaimista? Miksi?

—No, there are gadgets that I really want to buy!

—Miten opettelet ottamaan parempia kuvia?

—Through researching new styles and photographers.

—Kuka on vaikuttanut eniten ammattiisi valokuvaajana?

—Andrei Tarkovsky, even though he's not a photographer, had really influenced me on my imagery. Other people are Wim Wenders, Paolo Barretta etc.Now, for wedding photography, I do admire Jordan Voth, Michael Pappas and a lot more other artists.

—Minkä yhden asian olisit toivonut tietäväsi, kun aloitit kuvaamisen?

—The amount of editing :D

—Mitä haluat ilmaista valokuvillasi?

—The most common answer – a story. Really though, I want to capture the events of the day, with an approach that insorporates my style, and the couple's personality.

—Mikä motivoi sinua jatkamaan kuvausta?

—The fact that I make art. And as I said before, positive feedback!

—Olisiko vanhempiesi pitänyt olla tiukempia tai päinvastoin?

—I think they were perfect, not strict at all (I was quite a revolutionary child, so I think it would have been difficult to try and set more limits!).

—Jos voisit palata ajassa taaksepäin, mitä tekisit eri tavalla?

—Maybe I would have follow my heart, instead of losing some time doing things that I felt that I had to do. Because in the end, it's very difficult to succeed in something you don't put all your focus on.

—Uskotko, että muilla planeetoilla on elämää?

—Well, I feel that universe is too big to be alone!

—Ketkä ovat sankareitasi?

—Everyday people.

—Ketä et kunnioita?

—People who are not humanists.

—Mitä teet vapaa-ajallasi?

—Going on long walks, music lessons, excersising.

—Mitä puolta yleisö ei koskaan näe sinussa?

—This would be too public to tell!

—Milloin olet täysin tyytyväinen työhösi?

—When I feel inspired with my work, and my customers are smiling!

—Uskotko miesten ja naisten perinteisiin rooleihin?

—Not a lot, but of course our growing up shapes us a lot.

—Saatko helposti ystäviä?

—Real friends, not that easily.

—Missä haluaisit asua?

—I like a lot where I live. Nowhere is perfect, and I feel pretty good with my home land!

—Jatkuuko elämä avioliiton jälkeen?

—Marriage doesn't change your routine. Marriage it's a love oath.

—Pidätkö koirista vai kissoista?

—Cat person here!

—Parasta elämässä on:

—Love? That's what I think at least.

—Haluaisitko muuttaa mitään ympärilläsi?

—I wish that people had more critical thinking. Myself included.

—Haluaisitko antaa vinkkejä aloitteleville valokuvaajille?

—Do it with passion, try, and don't stop believing in what you do. Nothing comes without hard work!

—Jos sinut kutsuttaisiin kuvaamaan elokuvaa, mitä tyylilajia se edustaisi?

—I think a Drama.

—Huomenna aion...

—My Covid quarantine routine!