The Red Carpet Highlights of... The 77th Annual Cannes Film Festival 2024!
Coming from Ufa, Russia, Maxim Repin is one of those photographers you could call a real "artist". Not only has he gained success with shooting for magazines like L'Officiel or Harper's Bazaar, but it's especially the test-shoots he does (for instance, IMG NY) which keep you staring at his images. With the focus on the "beauty of the moment", the mood and vibe a girl radiates in front of his camera, Repin never fails to take amazing pictures which leave a lasting impression. In his tests, it's not about perfection and the goal to showcase the girls from their best angles - it's much more the way they can express themselves, let their emotions shine through. Which Maxim is trying to catch with his camera, just in the right moment.
And looking at his work: he defenitely manages to do so, very well!
1. First of all, have you always wanted to be a photographer? How did you get started in the business?
Well for me, studying art and photography, was a whole different world with a lot of setups and digits: aperture, exposure time, distance to object, focusing, getting the film developed etc.
But when I finished art college, I needed good images for my diploma project. It would've been way too expensive and complex to hire a photographer to whom I could explain my ideas, make him take the pictures etc. So I tried to do it myself.
The result was pretty good but still a bit "green". I was satisfied with these images, but for me it was still hard and unclear to photograph.
Later on, some people from advertising agencies saw my pics and suggested me to do some shoots for money.
Then I started to do a shootings once in a while, but it wasn't something serious to me.
I continued studying in art academy and tried photographing models.
After finishing art academy in Ufa I have worked for a local ad copmany a few years.
But I was ed up with all that advertising stuff very soon and I moved to Moscow where I started doing tests for models and later also editorials.
2. What makes a girl interesting for you to shoot with her? Is there a certain "type" of model you prefer?
I dont know, I just see the face... especially eyes! I like when a girl has a certain sparkle in her eyes - to me, having sparkling eyes means life!
3. Before a shoot, do you talk to the model you are going to shoot with and try to make a connection? Or do you rather wait and then get inspired by her actions in fron of the camera?
It depends what kind of shoot I do! If the shoot is for some magazine, then of course I talk with model and try to explain my inspiration for the shoot (with pics, music, text)
When it comes to test-shootings: no. Either the connection is there from the beginning or not. It's like something spiritual, I just try to set a special atmosphere for the shoot and let them move free and see how it works out.
4. You work with a lot of New Faces, do you prefer photographing them in natural styling, very pure and letting their own personality shine through or do you rather enjoy seeing how they transform into different characters, with make up and well-conceived styling?
I dont like too much styling or make-up in tests. I prefer to shoot people natural, how I see them and how I feel about them. I don't try to make them look especially beautiful, that's just not important to me. I also don't like overly retouched and polished tests.
And moreover, I never use a special light scheme or something, I just use the daylight.
For editorials it's different and depends what kind of story I do. Sometimes I photgraph girls completely without make-up or a special styling, and then, there are shoots where they are completely transformed: with clothes make-up & hair.
5. What is your definition of "natural beauty"?
Two words: early morning
Being a natural/ true beauty is being beautiful all the time!
6. Is there always some kind of concept you bring to a shoot, or do just let yourself get inspired by the mood on the set/ the model?
For test shoots I like impressionism. I try to do it all fast and just shoot without thinking about it too much - so I don't destroy the "freshness" of the moment.
7. Do you think good movement and the charisma in front the camera, is something a girl gets born with, or is it possible to learn all these things?
I think nowadays it's kinda hard to find a model who has all the skills from the beginning on. I mean, they probably all have these skills inside of them, but it just takes time to learn and develope. But there defenitely should be a "special something" from the very beginning. At least it's important for them to be confident in front of the camera.
8. Is there anyone (photographer, painter, model, any person) who gives you inspirations for what you do/ someone whose work you admire?
My inspirations come from art: music and paintings mostly. But I can get inspired from anything.
9. Which kind of camera do you work with?
I work with different digital cameras and a 4X5, which I use with instant films.
10. If you could chose one model to shoot with (from any decades) who would you want to have in front of your lense?
Don't know, I really like working with New Faces.
Thanks for taking the time and answering our questions Maxim!
