If she had lived in the 16th century, she would have been burned at the stake. This is how the Inquisition dealt with strong and freedom-loving women, just like the heroine of our interview.Meet Naya Kotko, photographer, visual artist and gothic dreamer.
Honestly, I sometimes forget that I have a second Instagram page. I don’t follow my social media well, haha.
First I graduated from art school, then university. At university I studied different kinds of art, really liked easel graphics and all kinds of printmaking. Apparently this is reflected in my photography. I’ve probably spent half my life standing at an easel. Now I don’t paint as much as I used to. It so happened that my grandfather is a painter and from an early age my whole world was surrounded by creativity.I very early began to go and participate in exhibitions. I even managed to work on stage costumes and perform on stage. All these experiences are really helping me now. That experience is probably what got me into photography.
Yes, I absolutely agree with that. You may not know it at the beginning of your journey, but you are bound to encounter it. You’ll have to make up for it willy-nilly. Because this knowledge simplifies the work and helps the photographer to bring the idea to life. Understanding the basics of lighting theory will help photographers better understand how different components such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO interact with each other when capturing an image. In addition, understanding the basics of composition, such as the rule of thirds and the golden ratio, will help photographers create more aesthetically pleasing images.
Trial and error is also good, but knowledge is always needed.
My process for creating new work from conception to completion is as follows:Brainstorming ideas – coming up with an idea or theme that interests me and thinking about how I can visually represent it in a photograph.Research and planning – research similar images and related topics, create a concept board, find the necessary props or locations to shoot.Preparation – gathering all the equipment and setting up the lighting to achieve the desired results.Shooting and editing – shooting multiple shots with different poses/angles, editing photos in Lightroom or Photoshop until I’m satisfied with the result.Final touches – making any final adjustments and adding finishing touches (e.g. contrast, sharpness, colors) to improve the image.But sometimes there is complete improvisation and the whole above plan doesn’t work. Every photo shoot is individual. Sometimes the ideas you conceived don’t work out. Sometimes you follow your original plan and it turns out to be something completely different. In art as in life, nothing is perfect.
In my teenage years I was a goth, and I probably still am. Music, movies, books, art, and fashion have been my main sources of inspiration, but a lot of it also comes from an appreciation of the dark side of life. I’m attracted to all things eerie, macabre, and mysterious. I also get a lot of inspiration from nature and its darker aspects, especially in comparison to its luminous beauty. The dark aesthetic speaks to me because it allows me to express myself in an artistic way and also make light of the darkness of the world.
The moon has many meanings for me. It is a symbol of mystery, beauty, and transformation. To me it represents the ever-changing cycles in life. In my work I often use the moon as a metaphor to explore themes such as change, hope and struggle. It is also a reminder that no matter what darkness we may face in life, there will always be the light of day right around the corner. By looking past those moments of darkness we can find meaning and optimism in our own lives.
Their power is in Freedom. They are unafraid of being who they truly are and living the life that is meant for them. They recognize their own worth, often empowering others along the way to do what makes them happiest in life too. These characters embrace adventure with an open heart and a curious spirit, believing that anything can be accomplished through perseverance and hard work no matter how big or small it may seem at first!
I’d say all of them. I really love old folklore, legends, myths, forgotten stories. It’s hard for me to say anything in particular. My work is often inspired by powerful female archetypes including but not limited to Lilith, Medusa and Kali. In addition, I also strive to create works that praise contemporary women who defy traditional societal expectations by embracing their power and sexuality to the fullest!
Each image is complicated in its own way. Of course, such factors as bad weather and complicated costumes add to the difficulty on the set. I remember once during a photo shoot I fell out of a tree. You’ll do anything for the sake of creativity, even climbing a tree.
I guess my witchcraft lies in my work and in the process. The way I go about creating this or that picture is my magic.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of why esotericism has become fashionable recently, however there are several potential influences at play. First, there may be an increased interest in spirituality and alternative belief systems as people look for deeper meaning or purpose in their lives. Second, with social media.
Yes, of course. There are a lot of plans. To open my own store, to open a patrion. Make new and interesting projects.Well, as I said a little bit above, sometimes things can go wrong. The main thing is not to give up and if anything at the right moment to improvise.
