Born in Germany, but lived in London, Paris and Tel Aviv, Alina Asmus is a fashion and art photographer with a style that focuses on movement, textures and details. Like others of her generation, Alina represents the standards of new fashion talents: an open-mind and multicultural views. Through her photography, Alina shows an alternative view of beauty and of the industry. Having worked for magazines like L’Officiel and Marie Claire, Alina’s unique images are beautifully eye-catching.
Firstly, can you introduce yourself in your own words?
I’m a German fashion and art photographer, and I am currently working predominantly in London, Paris and Berlin. I have a background in fashion design, but decided to continue my path in the world of photography since 2014.
When did you decide to become a photographer?
It happened while I was studying in Tel Aviv. Photography really helped me to develop my aesthetics and capture the experiences and feelings I had when I lived in Israel. It became a major part of my daily life, and I wanted people to see what I saw. It was a very natural movement for me to continue my work as a photographer after graduating in design.
What do photography and fashion represent in your life?
Both parts have always been very present, so I feel lucky that I was able to connect them and make them my everyday subject.
You are German, but have lived in numerous places, as we can see. How have all of these places influenced your work?
Every city has influenced me differently. I moved to London when I was nineteen years old and first came in touch with the fashion industry while interning for a known high-end brand. I was inspired by the people, and their energy as well as their lust and freedom for creativity. London really opened up my vision and encouraged me to not be afraid of showing who I was and what I liked.
Moving to Tel Aviv was the most inspirational decision I've made so far in my life. I was confronted with so many new things and learnt about a completely different culture, art, conflict and people. The light and the architecture, as well as the colours in the country, were outstanding for me. There I was able to define my aesthetics. Paris was a step closer to the industry and making a serious living from my photography. It is still such a magical, but also melancholic city, it gave me a lot to think about.
Moving to Tel Aviv was the most inspirational decision I've made so far in my life. I was confronted with so many new things and learnt about a completely different culture, art, conflict and people. The light and the architecture, as well as the colours in the country, were outstanding for me. There I was able to define my aesthetics. Paris was a step closer to the industry and making a serious living from my photography. It is still such a magical, but also melancholic city, it gave me a lot to think about.
Your work pays attention to detail, especially to the clothes’ textures. What do you think textures and details can communicate in a photograph?
That's true. I guess that from this you can realise my love for fabrics and textures and this definitely reveals my fashion background. I think that sometimes these little details convey a more magical message. For me, it's a way to evoke emotion in a rather sensitive way. In my opinion, these playful elements arouse the viewer’s curiosity.
Your photos seem to balance movement and structured poses. How do you achieve this? How involved do you get in directing the model’s attitude and poses?
I like to combine structure and movement, it helps me to create different shapes and moods. I do a lot of research into modern dance and support the model in getting into the right attitude and pose. For me dance and movement are, besides photography, the most expressive ways to show feelings.
How do you choose the models you work with? What is it that you find attractive or interesting in the people you photograph?
I prefer characters to just a pretty girl: someone who can tell a story and has hidden gems, a colourful personality and an unseen or not obvious beauty. I tend to choose women who are natural and authentic with themselves, who help me to develop a modern view on femininity.
I find the locations in your shoots very striking: whether they take place at a studio or outdoors. Do you scout out these locations? How does this process work?
Thank you! Yes, I’m always involved in choosing the right location, and sometimes this is how a project starts for me. I have a strong interest in architecture, objects and shapes, so I have researched a lot in this field, which leads me to specific places. Sometimes it also happens by accident, as I like to wander around and get lost in cities –that is still my favourite way to discover inspiring places.
Like many other photographers, you've published your work both in print and digital. Do you prefer one to the other?
Of course, I prefer print work; this is where I’m coming from with my analogue photography and valuing craftsmanship and print. I’m always proud to see my work printed and feel it with my own hands. Nevertheless, we live in a digital world, and it would be stupid to ignore it. Digitally published work helps me to build up my career and makes my work accessible in a faster way to the whole world, so I’m also thankful for that.
Making a living out of photography is, especially in fashion, a dream for many but a reality for few. What advice would you give to new photographers in the industry?
I would advise every new photographer just to go with his or her aesthetic and not to look left or right. Trust your own ideas and vision and don’t take too much advice.
