INTERVIEW WITH TAYA IV
It is strange how you can have sympathy for someone you never even met or talked to in real life. I am looking up to Taya Iv, a seventeen year old girl from Moscow, how she deals with everything and how she finds strength in the little things and never gives up. Only recently she went through a big life-changing event, but keeps up her optimism and love of life. She inspires and encourages so many girls around the world and she is what I consider a “real artist”;. Taya does not only take wonderful photographs, she also writes and draws the most beautiful things.
I hope you enjoy reading this conversation with her.
Can you give us a brief summary of what your life looks like right now?
After a few life-changing events took place in our lives, my family and I had to move back to Moscow. This new life is a roller coaster that constantly takes us on new adventures filled with fire, terror and hope. It is astounding and I am thankful for every moment.
At what point in your life did you begin to create and especially found photography helpful for your inner self? Did you always have a passion for it, a way how you could come to terms with your feelings?
A website called DeviantArt opened up a new world for me. Initially I was planning to look at the traditional art there, however everything turned upside down when I discovered the images of Laura Kok, Bailey Elizabeth and Kalea Molloy. The magic their images glowed with started a fire within me. To discover a world full of open fields where your emotions can run free appealed to me - I wanted to have more of that burning passion, the one that made life so much more brighter. I started noticing the smallest details in life. The emptiness within me was filled. When I was 12 years old I took my phone and started taking photos of the only model I had around at the time, myself. Ever since then life has been even more unique; an escape from reality and its innumerable troubles. I believe I always had a passion for it. I can’t remember a time when cameras weren’t fascinating to me. Also, my mum told me that the only way to calm down baby me was to give me photo albums. Looking at old photographs of people I didn’t know was what I did most of the time (aside from sleeping and eating, that is).
What else besides photography do you love?
I love reading, writing, drawing and of course, watching Friends!
What are your biggest dreams? Will they remain dreams or are they goals for you, goals you want to reach one day?
Biggest dreams: Always be there for my family and closest friends, meet Paige Baralija and be the person I always wanted to become when I was a child.
I especially love your photograph “When I am Afraid”. Can you tell me a little bit about the story behind it? I am curious to know.
This photograph was taken in my favourite place. At first I didn’t have the bird in mind but during my editing process it seemed to fit in perfectly. I wanted to express the vulnerability of the girl in the photograph and how nature is still around to keep her safe. I’s a representation of what life has been like for me - weak but strong because of the wonders of life.
You recently started another 365 project. What motivated you? And do you have other projects (can be non-photographic, too) in mind for the near future?
First and foremost, my dear friend Paige Baralija motivated me. She is full of life and has an innumerable amount of incredible ideas. She encourages me even during the darkest times so if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have been so positive today. Also, my love for nature and the desire to capture all the minuscule details it possesses motivated me to begin my project. Every day is full of details that might be gone tomorrow so I strive to capture it all. I am grateful that nature is everywhere - its presences awakens inspiration in my mind. As for future projects, I am looking forward to writing a book and publishing it. One day… :)
What are your goals and plans for 2014?
I hope that this new year will be full of dreams coming true! I look forward to visiting new countries, meeting talented people and collaborating with more artists all over the world. There are so many goals and plans floating in my mind right now but these were the first three that came up when I read the question.
Thank you for your time Taya Iv!
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