A Quick Q&A with Photographer Maria Svarbova

At just 30 years old the award winning photographer Maria Svarbova has made a name for herself on a global scale thanks to her very distinctive visual style. One of her most famous projects is a book that was published last year called Swimming Pool, which is wholly dedicated to images she shot at public pools. Her atmospheric photos tend to explore the idea of duality and repetition with saturated clean lighting giving her often colorfully clad subjects as stark, sometimes aloof, beauty.  So strong is her visual aesthetic that the fashion company Delpozo used the images from the book as inspiration for its Spring/Summer 2018 collection.

Here Maria talks about how wanting to be a painter lead her to photography, Leonardo Dicaprio and her favorite new Instagram feed that she is following.

Images from Svarbova’s book Swimming Pool that inspired the most recent Delpozo collection

How did you first get interested in fashion photography?

My interested about fashion photography started 6 years ago and I have been taken photos 7 years. I love fashion so much and it is one of main factors which distinguishes my art style.

What made you finally decide to launch out on your own and start your photography business.? 

I had never wanted to be a photographer. I always wanted to be a some artistic painter, but I had a one big creative break from art. So I went to study archeology and during my studies my sister gave me a first professional camera.

What was your big break?

After art high school I had my a one big creative break from any art. I don´t know why, it was just a feeling.

Who inspires you?

Erwin Olaf, Gregory Grewdson.

Clean and graphic images from Svarbova’s book Swimming Pool.

Who living or dead would you love to be able to have dinner with?

Leonardo Dicaprio.

What is your favorite trip?

I have had very good time in New York last year, so I bought a  ticket to go again this year.

When are you happiest?

When I am working.

What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

My new Hasselblad camera.

What is your secret talent?

cooking (when I have a time 🙂

Two recent posts on Svarbova’s Instagram feed.

What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?

Don´t give up! and dare and then see!

What emoji do you use the most?

What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?

Delpozo!

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.