BOOKlet Meets: Anna Prajs

Maaja (Anna Prajs)

Originally from Poland, Anna Prajs focuses on the human form, fashion and vitality, taking inspiration from all walks of life.  She believes that the way you photograph people is a kind of psychology, where you can bear people’s souls.  In this interview, we learn about her childhood dream, her role models and how she takes inspiration from the streets on a daily basis.

What made you want to be a photographer?

I have taken photos since I was a kid.  When I was 11 years old, I got my first camera and that’s when my adventure began. At the beginning, it was just good fun, but years after it became my passion, love and the way of my life.  I love people and I love to work with them.  I love to watch situations and freeze the moment in my photos.  I was always meant to be a photographer; it was in me somewhere all the time.

Who is your favourite artist?

My favourite artist? I have many.  Helmut Newton, Zdzislaw Beksinski, H.R Giger and I really adore Mario Testino’s work.  It’s amazing.

What do want your photographs to tell people?

The truth.

Do you prefer Black and White or Colour?

It depends on what you want to say through your work. Colour has different vibrations to black and white.  However, black and white has a sharper character.

What do you think of UK art?
It’s very open-minded!

Who do you think should have won the Turner Prize?

That question is quite hard – it isn’t for me to judge.  Everybody works hard, and the best will always win.

What are the main concepts of your photography?

I love to photograph people. I love to capture their nature and their personality. Although I highligh beauty and ugliness, I like to show things as they are.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Everywhere around me. I stay very open minded whereever I am.  Sometimes I find myself stuck to my laptop for a few hours a day watching pictures and videos.  When I am walking down the street, I watch people a lot, especially their gestures.  That is what helps me when I am shooting models to get a good pose.

Who is your role model?

Helmut Newton and Mario Testino definitely.

Where do you see art in the next 10 years?

Well, everything is happening so quickly now.  Art is everywhere around us, on the streets, in the shops, even on the tube.  Art has soaked through to many fields in our lives on a daily basis.  There are so many artists these days and they are doing such a good job.  I have no idea where such an unpredictable thing like art could take us.

To see more photographs by Anna Prajs, go to http://www.myspace.com/anna_prajs