“I’m like sponge that absorbs everything.”
Name: Natalia Shlyakhovaya
Hometown: Moscow/Russia
Style of photography: documentary photography, landscape, portraits
Type of cameras: Yashica mat 124G, some other analog old cameras that I found
Website: cargocollective.com/kofe & Tumblr & Flickr
What gives you inspiration?
The silence. Daily life is a rush and bustling, but full of beautiful and bizarre things I have an unexplainable fascination with. All things that surround me are like a tranquil sculptures between chaos. I always seek to ‘freeze time’ and appreciate stillness that allows me to enjoy the beauty of everyday life. Also, wildness, savagery, authenticity. Modern life erases fragile authenticity and differences between nations. But tranquility and aesthetics of little towns, people’s ways of living, – this disappearing nature is a source of inspiration for me. And of course man’s creation.
What are your influences?
The discovery. I’m like sponge that absorbs everything and I can’t figure out what influenced me the most. My influences come from punk, books, painting and motion pictures very often. Surfing the net I discover a lot of unknown photographers as well as recognised masters. But illustrations and music influences me as much as photos. And, my greatest influence is my husband.
Why did you choose these photos?
They are everything that I can relate with when you speak of the aesthetics I am interested in. Also, they are all part of the book I am working on.
What does photography mean to you?
I don’t know. Maybe first aid. I just collect the beauty and replace the disharmony around me through it. Maybe it’s a way I found to make friendship with the world and appreciate daily life that surrounds me. Maybe It’s my way to transform reality. Or I have just fun making pictures.
Photos: © Natalia Shlyakhovaya
