Anika Batkowska treats nature as a canvas for storytelling

Anika Batkowska is a female fashion photographer, art & creative director as well as producer of some of her own shoots. She loves storytelling, the analogue vibe of photographs, authenticity, shooting at the location - whether out in nature, in beautiful interiors or architecture - and natural or cinematic lightning. Treating Iceland as her canvas for a lot of her projects but is hyped about shooting in any place around the globe. She loves to travel and to get to know new cultures.

anikabatkowska@gmail.com

What initially drew you to photography, and how has your vision evolved over time?

To think about the first time I reached out for the camera, it was probably in primary school. It was a thing for me and my brother to take an analogue camera - one for me and one for him - for the summer holidays at my Grandma's ;) We loved to capture our daily life and celebrate it in a way. Then, years after that, I realised at some point that I have this ability to notice the beauty around me and embrace it. Part of me is still that little kid excited about a summer spent at my Grandma's to photograph those little things that draw my attention. You know, even seeing a sunset and being so excited about it as I see it for the first time in my life. Hahaha

So when I realised that I am pretty sensitive to beauty, I decided to capture it to not let those moments go away, to own them in a way. Then, it was quite a path. From architecture for a glimpse through everyday life, to human—especially female—body, to fashion photography, as fashion/style has been a thing for me since secondary school.

Thankfully, I had good people in my life who made me believe this is something I can really do. At some point, a friend of mine—a graphic designer—was willing to create a website for me—my portfolio—and that was the moment when I really pushed into building it and myself in photography.

Also, my mom was studying photography in high school, so maybe there is something in the blood. ;)

anikabatkowska@gmail.com

Can you share some of the primary influences on your work, whether they are other photographers, artists, or broader cultural elements? Many of your images have a cinematic quality. Do you draw inspiration from films, and if so, which ones?

It's definitely a mix of things I see and experience, whether it is something personal or a movie, a picture, or a beautiful photo frame. I see it in my head while on a walk and create a story out of it. I love storytelling. I don't just want to take pretty pictures; I want to say something through them, or I want people to feel something while looking at them. Very often it's a story about a woman, a girl -  it's something more personal to me, a perspective I know. I admire the way Peter Lindbergh has been seeing a woman or Sonia Szóstak sees them and their work is definitely inspirational. I love the imperfections, the analog feeling, the play of light and shadow and yes, the cinematic feeling of lightning in scenes is something I have drawn attention to recently, also since I value storytelling in my photographs the movies can be pretty helpful in it.

Your portraits are very evocative. How do you build a rapport with your subjects to capture such intimate and powerful images?

I guess the same way I build a relationship with any other human being I meet on my way. I value the models I work with as a person, and I'm curious about them. Exactly as you said, they are the subject, not the object that just needs to deliver effects.

Of course, we work on a particular project, but we are also there to connect and enjoy what we are doing. It's regarding models but also the whole team I work with—partnership is what I value. Sometimes, a model or another team member tells me that I am very empathic and understanding and that I really care about how they feel, and that is always pleasant to hear. Only together can we deliver outstanding images and stories.

Can you discuss a particularly memorable shoot and what made it stand out for you?

Every shoot is special to me in a way. There is always some story behind it, a lot of creative process, different people involved. However, if I have to think about the craziest shoot I had, it is the shoot on the active volcano in Iceland. It was part of a fashion editorial we created on the peninsula where the eruption occurred a few days after we shot it, so it was a natural decision for us -  me and the stylist I worked with on the whole creative and artistic aspect of the shoot - to finish the story at the eruption site. We were actually hoping it's gonna happen as it was a perfect top up of the story about transition in our lives, shown as a transition of mother earth. Thank god, we had a great team keen to hike with us to the eruption site for a few hours back and forth. The first attempt was unsuccessful due to harsh weather conditions in the area but we made it a week later or so. Definitely an experience and adventure.

anikabatkowska@gmail.com

The interplay of color and monochrome in your portfolio is intriguing. How do you decide which medium to use for a particular project or shoot?

Well, it depends. :) Sometimes, it's a certain project that requires color. Sometimes, it's a brand aesthetic where I feel black and white would work perfectly. The other factor is just the process of creating. I feel like the editing part can be similar to a painting process. I am there with my images, and I give them my soul and certain colors or monochrome. Sometimes, the color adds to it, and sometimes, it's just a distraction.

Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're excited about?

Aw, there are actually a few of them but I can't talk about the details just yet.

One thing that I can say a little bit more of is the fact that I am planning my next exhibition, I have already started working on it. I have the model, I'm choosing the locations I'm gonna shoot at and I'm finishing up the concept. I'm pretty excited about this one and I'm curious what the next months gonna bring.

Still haven't decided where I want to do it, what the venue is going to be, so if anyone reading this is curious and would possibly be interested in collaborating on that level, feel free to reach out and I will be happy to talk more. :)

https://www.instagram.com/anikabatkowska/

https://anikabatkowska.com/