Interview with Irina Lokteva Pikalova | The Keen-Eyed Photographer & Graphics Artist from Spain

I completed a studio photography course during my design studies, and there's a lot of graphic approach in my photographic work. I also studied 3D for Photography at FX Barcelona Film School and Set Design in Photography at LABASAD, Barcelona School of Arts and Design.

I got my first camera at the age of 12. It was an automatic one, and back then, it was all about experimenting with genres and composition.

My first shot was during summer vacation, where I used up an entire roll of film. The photos were mostly landscapes, sunsets, and some still-life objects. I also loved photographing people.

For my studio work, I use a Sony ILCE-7M3 with Sony 90mm and Sony 50mm lenses, various Godox flashes, and Neewer continuous lights, along with a range of modifiers of all kinds.

I started taking commercial commissions in food, portrait, and event photography after my design studies. But it wasn't until the pandemic that I discovered still-life photography from a new angle.

I was amazed by the possibilities this genre offers. As photographers and creatives, we are in constant development, and my work will evolve. Currently, I find still-life photography particularly compelling for expressing complex ideas. I hope to create more meaningful conceptual work in the future.

I study a lot and am fortunate to have amazing professionals around me. When I started my creative journey, one of my teachers told me that my work reflects exactly what I have inside.

It was a profound moment. I realised the power we have as creatives to connect with our audience on a very deep level, even if we aren't always fully aware of it.

I studied Literature in the past, and I've always operated with metaphors and concepts. What I love most is expressing words with images, and vice versa. I also write, so I often "translate" images into words. I love this interplay between the visual and the verbal.

Graphic, conceptual, and colour-touched.

Thank you! For me, as for any other photographer, this distinction is the best way to affirm that our work matters. It encourages us to keep moving forward, even during tough times.

My series 'This is from Matilda' reflects the current state of the world. It's inspired by cinematic work that I admire, while also serving as my personal reflection on both external and internal events. It's a contemporary legacy piece with a twist, perfectly timed for now.

Winning an award is always a moment to reflect on what's been achieved so far and to ask new questions. It opens up new paths that translate into new work and fresh ideas.

I am inspired by the vibrant and minimalist universe of John Batho, the vivid food photography of Martin Parr, and the legendary works of Irving Penn.

If you want to become a photographer today, it means you already have stories to share. Sometimes it takes a while to discover the "how" and often it feels like you're not finding the right path. But you'll find it, and the journey will always be worth it.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my journey and thoughts. It's been a great pleasure!