Natalia Horinkova
For Misha & Puff, Winter 2022
QUESTIONS
1. Describe the first time you picked up your grandfather’s camera. How would you describe that feeling— did you feel intuitively there was something calling you to explore more of?
"To be very honest, the first time I picked it up was only when he passed away. As I mentioned on our 1:1, I was never allowed to pick up my grandfather's or father's camera. It was too expensive and not for kids' hands, so I would listen to them. I really can't remember when it was exactly when I knew, but I was drawn towards art and photography since childhood. I just didn't know I could earn money with it. Both my father and grandfather were just hobbyists. I was a good student both in primary and high school, but I never liked studying and I didn't know what I would do with my life. Finding myself in photography was an organic process and I am still evolving, like we all do. We learn every day, we grow, we change. Sometimes I feel like quitting, but I know that this truly is what I should be doing with my life. Showing you what is in my head, telling you stories through my photos. I have never been too good with words, but I always hope seeing my photos, you will understand it all. Without captions, without long paragraphs."
For Bobo Choses
2. What advice can you give aspiring photographers trying to find their style? Can you share a bit about your artistic evolution, and what helped guide you toward discovering your own?
"I was never great in giving advice but I will try, I mean I always just said do not give up and follow your inner child, in whatever you do. Doing an art, being an artist, isn't easy. It's not always easy to express yourself the way someone would want you to express or show. You will meet with negative feedback and not everyone will like what you do. But as long as you stick with what you like and believe in, you will find your style, you will find your audience."
For Repose AMS
3. During your artistic process, when do you feel most alive— is it before, during or after you’re on set?
"I get super excited about planning a shoot in my head, or on paper, gathering ideas, seeing things, how they could work or how I will do it. However, when I am on set, I feel all sorts of different excitement. I love being on set with kids, they are so carefree, so honest and open, even if I do not speak their language. And another feeling is looking at the photos straight the way and choosing the last bit to my story, when you have to put together a selection of photos to tell the story. I believe I live and breathe with the whole process but if I had to choose, I say on set is where the magic really happens. If there is no energy, no matter how much planning beforehand I do or how much work I will do on editing, it won't be right."
4. How has this experience inspired you and your thoughts on community?
"I must be honest, I like living very quietly and I spend most of my days alone but it is so nice to be sharing, to be supported by a community, where we can speak about what we like, and I can learn about different artists from around the world. I hope to be part of this community in more active ways, and if there is someone after reading this interview looking to get in touch with me, I would like to chat with them."
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Nata has this gentleness to her. It’s calm and nurturing, you feel safe in her presence. To no surprise, it’s the same feeling I had when I first discovered her photographs. They moved me in ways I can't quite explain— it brought me back to my salad days.
She has a special gift of capturing the lightness and levity of adolescence, the bright-eyed babes that are relentlessly curious, unabashedly honest, and infectiously fun.
It got me thinking about youth, and coming at it from a different angle, reframing my relationship with a relatively loose word used when describing someone in their early years.
Youth isn’t so much a stage of life, but a state of mind. It's more of a deep-rooted connection you have with yourself— one that imparts an insurmountable feeling of freedom, and with that, a world of possibility. Youth, to me, is revisiting your past, honoring your present, and dreaming up your future. Purpose surfaces when you give yourself permission to play, when you practice your passions.
Nata is our first international featured artist. I’m beaming with gratitude to be growing a borderless platform that connects artists globally. A space to feel heard, be seen, but most importantly, belong.
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