Magic of the Moment: Interview With Oleksandr Bondar

We often talk about authenticity in photographs, but the hardest part is translating it into photographs. One of our notable contributors, Oleksandr Bondar, focuses on people, their sincere and positive emotions.

His portfolio is a collection of some of the most authentic shots, raw and unfiltered, honest, and open for us all to grasp just what the concept means. Here’s a little bit about the photographer, his work, and his aspirations.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional background.

My name is Alexander Bondar, I’m 30 years old. It’s been 7 years since I started getting into photography. I’m a photographer who is in love with his work, a father of two girls who inspire me and do not let me lose myself in the creativity process that I call my picture.

So much of your work is about working with people, would you say it is your niche?

Yes, the work of a photographer is working with people. But there’s so much more to it! It’s very much about working with the happiest people. Since my first profession is a teacher, forming contact with people is very important to me. Sometimes, when I pause in a shoot, I do not have enough communication and direct contact, as I do in the shooting process.

How do you translate this signature ‘authenticity’ in your photographs?

As people say, they very often can see something of their own, so to speak, in my photos. I put a different spin on this concept of ‘authenticity’, something of my own like sincere emotions, the tenderness of touch, that “magic of the moment.” It seems to me that my photos are very ordinary, but people who are in them are always happy to see the final result.

What have you learned in the process of working as a stock photographer?

Every segment of stock photography is very different. It has its own clear rules, tendencies, moods, seasonal tendencies. It’s also all very global! In this, I just show what is important to me in photography, counting on the fact that there are people who will like my mood in every frame.

Do you follow the latest trends? Does it influence your work in any way?

Yes! I oversee new trends, compare them. What does this give me? I would have to say it’s probably planning and overall development.

How would you describe your aesthetics?

My aesthetics are my mood. Sometimes my thoughts are completely transferred to the photographs in the form of light, tone, plot. But the most important component is staying true, sincere, and establishing trust in people.

Do you have a favourite image from your portfolio? What’s the story behind it?

I, of course, have favorite photos from every story. There are favorite series in general. Photography is a creative work, and when you search for the most beautiful frame, you sometimes have to make a thousand. That’s how they come to life! This is the card that, over the years, does not cease to “come to life”.

How do you find models and pick locations for your photoshoots?

My search never stops! I start with thoughts about the plot, its development, what must become the most important element in the frame. I carefully write everything down in a notebook, write down my thoughts about props, outfits, moods. Models are certainly not the main thing. The main thing is the texture and mood, but as far as people, in my opinion, they are there to help with the realization of an idea during the shoot as. Then I think about places. Usually, these are crowded places in which models can unfold. There must be a lot of air and space. And it’s always very difficult.

What would you say was your ‘big break’ after you started working with photo banks?

I’m not entirely sure that working with photo banks has become for me a big break. It is unequivocally a change and development of thinking, an opportunity to compare and develop even more rapidly.