Hanna Kristina is a 22-year-old Photographer based in both London and Kent. She recently graduated from UCA and is passionate about fashion and portrait photography. Fashion photography gives her flexibility – whether it’s the freedom to shoot candids on the streets of London, or work in a studio with dramatic lighting. Her photos have a funky and vintage feel, and an impressive range. We spoke to Hanna about the start of her love affair with photography and her thoughts on the selfie.
How did you become interested in photography?
I was always creative as a child. I tried my hand at things, including painting and drawing. But when I borrowed my mum’s D-SLR on a trip to Sweden, I fell in love.
What was your first camera and what do you use now?
When I started my A-Levels I was kindly given a little Canon 40D from my parents. It was the perfect camera for me to learn on as it is a compact, simple, easy-to-control camera. At the moment I have a Canon 5D Mii for digital and video, and a Canon AE-1 for analogue.
What kind of projects are you working on?
I am freelancing with lots of exciting new and existing clients. I am planning some more magazine submissions, and in the near future I hope to start planning a zine.
What’s the most useful piece of advice you have for taking a good snap?
Firstly, make sure you are shooting what you love – don’t do something just because you saw someone else do it! You need to have passion for what you are shooting. Also, a very important aspect is to learn about light and how to control/shoot with it. I usually use natural light, however you need to experiment to learn how to use it to the best of your ability.
Which photographers do you admire?
Many, many photographers for all sorts of different reasons. Inspirational artists such as Sally Mann for her beautiful portraits of her children, and Tim Walker for his imagination (I wrote my university dissertation on him). Young photographers such as Nirrimi for her candid/caught-in-the-moment style, and Julia Trotti for the way she captures her models and her post-processing.
How do you think your degree has changed your style?
I got the chance to experiment with analogue photography, which I probably wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t gone to university, and you can now see a lot of film in my portfolio. It also just gave me the time to shoot a lot, and as I did, my own style developed naturally over time.
Where do you hope for your career to go in the future?
There are so many things I would love to do in the future! See my work on the pages of my favourite magazines, work with more clothing designers, create some successful zines, maybe become Head Photographer at a fashion brand.
Do you miss disposable cameras?
I love looking through old family photo albums where everything is shot on disposables – it’s the grain and colour quality that makes me love shooting in analogue. I don’t miss disposable cameras per se, it’s a shame how expensive it is to use film nowadays though. If it was more affordable I would definitely be shooting with my Canon AE-1 a lot more.
Do you take a sneaky selfie now and again?
Only for Instagram really, and even then I think I only have three or four on there! I am much more comfortable behind the camera.
What are your feelings on the so called ‘duck’ photo face?
I think people should embrace their natural beauty and not try to look like something they’re not – I basically think it looks ridiculous!
Do you think technology has changed photography for the better?
I guess it is always good for things to develop, I do miss the availability of using analogue photography though.
You can see more of Hanna‘s work on her website www.hannakristina.co.uk.