MY 2011 FAVOURITES

End of the year is always a great moment to think about what we would like to improve. But why not reminisce about the things that made us very happy too? Here is my personal section of photos that I really enjoyed taking. I'm not sure whether it was for the atmosphere of the place, the events that happened or the people featured. Perhaps, it was all of those things combined, as that's what ultimately creates a beautiful moment.

The events were as follows: Givenchy, Valentino & Chanel haute couture shows in Paris, Jean-Paul Gaultier and his muse Farida Khelfa backstage at his show, Lou Lesage in her family apartment in Paris, Jonathan Heaf and Valentine Fillol-Cordier in London, Acne, Meadham Kirchhoff & Mary Katrantzou shows in September, Ella Purnell on the set of 'Candy' and brutalist tower blocks commissioned by B magazine. Last but not least, I'm really happy about the 'Holly & Kasia' book, which includes my photos and was art directed by the amazing Hannah Ridley from Ida Rhoda.



































All pictures by me

SUN AND FOG

In Warsaw last month.



Picture by me

ANITA BORZYSZKOWSKA FOR VIVA! MODA

I shot Anita Borzyszkowska, the head of Gap's global communications, for Viva! Moda magazine, which is my favourite fashion magazine in Poland. This image is part of a larger series about Anita, her London flat and of course, her timelessly chic wardrobe. Out on polish newsstands now.



Picture by me

IN WARSAW LAST WEEK

Picture by me

INTERVIEW

There's an interview with me in the new issue of 'Fotografia i Aparaty Cyfrowe', which literally translates to 'Photography and Digital Cameras' and is one of the most respected Polish publications of that sort. Big thanks to the journalist Kazimierz Serwin - not only for finding me and finding interest in my work, but also for being able to ask questions that felt honest and prompted me to think outside the box.

A DETAIL AT J.W. ANDERSON'S MENS SHOW

Picture by me

APARTAMENTO OUTTAKES

Some of the outtakes from my shoot with the lovely Valentine in her flat.











All pictures by me

VALENTINE FILLOL-CORDIER & JONATHAN HEAF FOR APARTAMENTO

I shot the beautiful couple Valentine Fillol-Cordier & Jonathan Heaf for Apartamento Magazine from Spain, which is one of my favourite mags! The shoot is accompanied by Jonathan's very touching story about the flat and of course, how the two met and fell in love...













All pictures by me

I WANT TO GO TO PRAGUE

So, so beautiful.

MY BROTHER'S GOT A BLOG

My 14-year-old brother has recently taken up photography! He uses the same analogue camera as me and I think is very sensitive in his approach. I particularly love his portraits - especially the ones taken on the school trip to Wroclaw like the one below. To see more, visit his website here.



Picture by Janek Bobula

EVEN BOYS WEAR MAKE-UP

...backstage at J.W. Anderson's menswear show! I love the way he kept the patterns and silhouettes we saw in his women's show and adapted them to the male body, without making the clothes look too androgynous or girly.



Picture by me

AT PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND

All pictures by me

AT TOPMAN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, COVENT GARDEN

Pictures by me

A SONG FOR TODAY

Great music from an even greater movie - 'All that I love' (Poland, 2009). Watched it with a few Polish friends in London (all of them from the seaside) and we all felt pretty nostalgic.

HEYGATE ESTATE BACK IN MARCH

A few outtakes from the B magazine story about brutalism, which I shot back in March. The day I went to shoot Heygate Estate was probably one of the most beautiful days of the year. I arrived there at 5pm and stayed until around 7! Within those 2-3 hours, the sky seemed to have changed colour multiple times, going from grey to pink to violet to blue, with fluo lights accentuating all of the buildings's many textures and shades.







Pictures by me

JUST DRIVE

I might be one of the few people who are not entirely sold on Ryan Gosling's character in "Drive". Throughout the movie, I just couldn't figure out who is he: a good guy that is ultimately searching for love or a cold-blooded murderer? Perhaps, he embodies both qualities, which could easily prove that, yes, humans are complex creatures and we're actually not that easy to pigeonhole. Or perhaps I need to watch the movie again.


'Less Than Zero' - 'Drive's stylistic predecessor from 1987

However, what I feel does make the film special is the soundtrack and the visual language that Nicolas Winding Refn adopts - very nostalgic and 80s-reminiscent, with the exception for a few (very contemporary!) violent scenes. This song from Electric Youth, which plays at the final credits, is a particular gem.

BACKSTAGE AT MARY KATRANTZOU SS12

All pictures by me