Iana Tokarchuk
“My father gave me my first camera on my 14th birthday. I never dropped photography after that.”
A portrait of the woman behind the camera, Iana Tokarchuk
Intercru: Where are you from?
Iana: I’m from a small industrial town in the center of Ukraine.
Where do you live and work now?
I live and work in Kyiv, Ukraine now.
How did you get started in photography?
I’ve loved painting and drawing since I was two years old. I went to an Art School but I always dreamt of a photo camera, which we couldn’t afford, because the 90s were hard times for some Ukrainians.
Then my father gave me my first camera on my 14th birthday. I never dropped photography after that. I started taking photos of landscapes and flowers and then I switched to ladies at 15. My best friends and my twin-sister were my first models and they were also my fellow photography-beginners. So it was fun and easy for us to start out together.
Where do you find creative inspiration?
I get inspired by my models, cinema, literature, music, traveling and all sorts of seeing new things. For me inspiration does not come from periods like 2020, life should be more lively.
What do you love the most about shooting on film?
The colors! I always paid huge attention to colors and other photographers kept asking me what film I use even when I worked with digital cameras only. Also, I love soft sharpness and contrast.
What really makes you happy?
Warm seasons and traveling... winter in Ukraine is pretty long, dark, and uninspiring. I feel so much happier when there’s sunlight, and summer rains are nothing like grey November rainy days, too.
I’m happy when I contemplate beauty- I was always devoted to it.
If a genie gave you 3 wishes, what would they be?
My very own rose garden.
To transfer me for a year to Paris in the 1920 and ’30s.
A letter from Hogwarts, but not the one Petunia’s got!
What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?
It looks like that first camera was the most significant one.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
It’s my nude series; I really love that series. It’s the most native to my style. It took me time to find it out.
Who knows you the best?
It’s my twin-sister for sure. The history and relationship we have is unparalleled.
Also my best friend who lives in California. We’ve been having FaceTime breakfasts/drinks for the past 6-7 years but started our friendship 11 years ago in Kyiv. Both of them are photographers as well.
And finally, my boyfriend who’s allowed to see me at my worst... isn’t he lucky?
How would you describe yourself?
Last time I had to answer this, I said it was “self-deprecating jokes lover.” I wish I could say something’s changed.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Get a film camera, it’s not scary. Keep learning. Eat vegetables!
Iana Tokarchuk is an analog fashion and portrait photographer based in Kyiv. To see more of her photography, you can check out her website ianatokarchuk.com or follow her work on Instagram @ianatokarchuk.
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