INTERVIEW WITH PAIGE BARALIJA
What do you love about photography?
What I love about photography is that it allows me to enter a world that only exists in my head. I don’t have to explain things or justify myself – I think I love that the most about it. I can capture laughs, feelings and moments and keep them with me forever, look back, evoke emotions and get inspired by photographs over and over again. I also love that it enables me to meet people from all over the world. I am actually hosting a photographer friend from Malasya this Christmas and I’m planning on visiting one of my closest friends and favourite photographer in Moscow this spring. I could not imagine a life without my camera anymore. People, colours, places, feelings … photography never fails to inspire me.
What I love about photography is that it allows me to enter a world that only exists in my head. I don’t have to explain things or justify myself – I think I love that the most about it. I can capture laughs, feelings and moments and keep them with me forever, look back, evoke emotions and get inspired by photographs over and over again. I also love that it enables me to meet people from all over the world. I am actually hosting a photographer friend from Malasya this Christmas and I’m planning on visiting one of my closest friends and favourite photographer in Moscow this spring. I could not imagine a life without my camera anymore. People, colours, places, feelings … photography never fails to inspire me.
Perfect explanation. I wonder, which picture evokes the most emotion for you?
This photo is of my uncle’s daughter Rita. My uncle Bihi passed away in 2011 and along with him, my heart did too. He was everyone’s favourite person. I never told anyone about this because I figured it would break too many hearts but I want to share it with you today. When I took this picture of Rita she said “This one is for dad so he can see how much I’ve grown in two years, so no sad face, no sad face”. I love how she was trying to hide her sadness with her little smile but her ‘eyes’ reveal the pain and how much she misses him. Everytime I look at this photo my heart stings painfully.
Woah Paige, I really see the pain in her eyes. But what a beautiful story. I love how she wants to be strong and happy in the picture.
Would you break the law to take a picture?
I think I would but only if I could morally accept it and if I would be able to help someone with it. If it was just for my own pleasure, I don’t think I would go this far. But it also depends on the punishment too. I mean, if there was something interesting/beautiful I could only photograph by stepping on the place that I wasn’t allowed on and the punishment fees would be about 20€ then I would definitely take the photo and pay the fees.
Okay. So which photographer do you really admire?
One of my favourite photographers has got to be my friend Taya Iv. Her photos and words have helped me develop personally and as an artist. She is so young and yet such a wise soul – definitely someone I admire a lot (and whom I promised to shoot my wedding). Another russian photographer who owns my heart would have to be Anastasia Volkova. She was the one helping me find my style in photography. I am in love with everything she creates. It’s one of my dreams to meet her, actually. Moving to London, there is Ella Ruth whom I admire so much. She is a wonderful photographer and a beautiful model too. Her photos are so simple and yet so rich of beauty and inspiration. I can’t wait to visit her and create some beautiful photographs with her. I also have to mention Kitty Gallannaugh whom I love to bits. Her photographs are like paradise to me. There are many more photographers that I admire, I don’t think I can name all of them here but thank you to each and everyone for inspiring me every single day of my life.
One of my favourite photographers has got to be my friend Taya Iv. Her photos and words have helped me develop personally and as an artist. She is so young and yet such a wise soul – definitely someone I admire a lot (and whom I promised to shoot my wedding). Another russian photographer who owns my heart would have to be Anastasia Volkova. She was the one helping me find my style in photography. I am in love with everything she creates. It’s one of my dreams to meet her, actually. Moving to London, there is Ella Ruth whom I admire so much. She is a wonderful photographer and a beautiful model too. Her photos are so simple and yet so rich of beauty and inspiration. I can’t wait to visit her and create some beautiful photographs with her. I also have to mention Kitty Gallannaugh whom I love to bits. Her photographs are like paradise to me. There are many more photographers that I admire, I don’t think I can name all of them here but thank you to each and everyone for inspiring me every single day of my life.
You are very sweet. Do you mind telling us one thing Taya taught you?
Well, Taya is seven years younger than myself yet we connect so incredibly much. She is such a true, loyal soul and very mature for her 16 years. She’s been through so much in her life already and still manages to keep a smile on her face and motivate other people in her darkest times. She taught me how to be strong. To never lose hope and always believe in oneself. She also taught me that you can photograph dirt and make it look all “deep” haha. I really love and respect her a lot!
Well, Taya is seven years younger than myself yet we connect so incredibly much. She is such a true, loyal soul and very mature for her 16 years. She’s been through so much in her life already and still manages to keep a smile on her face and motivate other people in her darkest times. She taught me how to be strong. To never lose hope and always believe in oneself. She also taught me that you can photograph dirt and make it look all “deep” haha. I really love and respect her a lot!
(laughs) yeah she does that :) What inspires you?
I tend to find inspiration in almost everything actually. Wise, beautiful people inspire me – my mom is the best example to name here. The beauty of nature still overwhelms me every moment of my life. I study English and American literature therefore I come across many great poets and writers everyday so they do influence my life a lot as well. Other photographers definitely are a huge inspiration just as the books I read or the songs I listen to.
I tend to find inspiration in almost everything actually. Wise, beautiful people inspire me – my mom is the best example to name here. The beauty of nature still overwhelms me every moment of my life. I study English and American literature therefore I come across many great poets and writers everyday so they do influence my life a lot as well. Other photographers definitely are a huge inspiration just as the books I read or the songs I listen to.
Oh I love people who get inspired by books and songs. What is your favourite book and song?
I have so many favourite books but my super favourites are the ones I’ve read at least twice so that would have to be “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Alchimist by Paolo Coelo or Great Expectations by Charles Dickens which I just finished a few days ago and Orlando by Virginia Woolf – ahhh,too many to name. (It’s actually one of my biggest fears not to be able to read ALL the books!) Some of my favourite songs are Fix you by Coldplay, Song bird by Eva Cassidy and probably all songs (and lyrics) by Florence and the Machine. These are songs I can listen to fifty times in a row and still feel… feelings over and over again.
I have so many favourite books but my super favourites are the ones I’ve read at least twice so that would have to be “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Alchimist by Paolo Coelo or Great Expectations by Charles Dickens which I just finished a few days ago and Orlando by Virginia Woolf – ahhh,too many to name. (It’s actually one of my biggest fears not to be able to read ALL the books!) Some of my favourite songs are Fix you by Coldplay, Song bird by Eva Cassidy and probably all songs (and lyrics) by Florence and the Machine. These are songs I can listen to fifty times in a row and still feel… feelings over and over again.
Wonderful Choices Paige. On another note, If you could have lunch with 6 people dead or alive who would it be?
Easiest question ever. Chandler Bing, Monica Gellar, Ross Gellar, Rachel Green, Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani.
Easiest question ever. Chandler Bing, Monica Gellar, Ross Gellar, Rachel Green, Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani.
(laughs) nice choice. And why do you choose them?
Friends is my childhood-series. I grew up with those people. (Uh-huh) They never, seriously NEVER fail to make me laugh- even in dark times they made my tummy hurt from laughing, they’re actually really my friends. And even though I know all episodes by heart, I still laugh at every joke they make. When I’m sad I photograph. When I’m done photographing I watch friends. I still secretly hope there’s gonna be a film (fingers crossed).
Friends is my childhood-series. I grew up with those people. (Uh-huh) They never, seriously NEVER fail to make me laugh- even in dark times they made my tummy hurt from laughing, they’re actually really my friends. And even though I know all episodes by heart, I still laugh at every joke they make. When I’m sad I photograph. When I’m done photographing I watch friends. I still secretly hope there’s gonna be a film (fingers crossed).
What do you wish for 2014?
I hope 2014 will be peaceful and just as inspiring as 2013 has been. Being able to travel to many places and visit my photographer friends is one of my main goals for 2014. There are a few projects that I am going to work on, so I hope those will go well. I also hope that I can maintain my good grades so I can keep my achievement scholarship and focus on my studies and my photography more.
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