Born in the UK, photographer Viktoria Haack has been living in British Columbia for 10 years and it's the place she now calls home. Haack was given her first SLR camera for her 18th birthday and has been taking photos steadily ever since.
Known for her beautiful landscapes and her haunting animal photography, Viktoria shares some of her experiences in our latest Interview with a Photographer series.
Cotton Carrier: How do you define your style as a photographer?
Viktoria Haack: This is a tough question as I shoot so many different genres of photography. Whatever genre I shoot, however, I consistently look for good light, mood and to capture emotion - whether I am shooting people, animals or landscapes.
CC: Have you ever gone to photography school?
VH: I took a foundation course whilst at Art College that included some photography but I would say I am mainly self-taught.
CC: What is your favourite place or thing to shoot?
VH: I enjoy so many different genres of photography that it's hard to say which is my favourite. I love working with animals and my favourite place to shoot is in the backcountry.
CC: Where has photography taken you, what has it allowed you to experience?
VH: Photography has allowed me to cross the globe on assignments and it has taken me to beautiful backcountry locations to lead workshops. I guess the biggest thing it has given me is the greatest appreciation possible for the natural world and the honour of spending time in it in the name of work.
CC: What cameras and lenses do you use?
VH: I use Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 camera bodies. I have a variety of lenses including:
Nikkor 70-200 2.8
Nikkor 17-35 2.8
Nikkor 24-70 2.8
Nikkor 50 1.4
Nikkor 80 1.8
Nikkor macro 105 2.8
Self portrait
CC: We ask all our interview subject this: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to get THE shot?
VH: I've done a few silly things, they usually involve hanging around in the extreme cold for hours, waiting for the light to change or stepping on potentially collapsable ice in order to get the shot.
CC: Who has inspired you as a photographer?
VH: So many photographers that I admire but if I had to pick one, then probably Enrico Fossatti
CC: So what advice do you have for an aspiring photographer?
VH: Shoot what you love and don't rush to become a photographer of a specific genre.
CC: Can you share any photography resources that you use?
VH: I use a number of different social media platforms to gain inspiration: Instagram, Facebook, 500px, to name a few. I also enjoy using NIK filters to help me edit my work.
CC: How has photography shaped your day-to-day?
VH: It plays a part in every moment of my day. Everything I see, I see as a potential photograph. I even dream in F stops :)
CC: Any exciting photographic events coming up that you’d like to share with our readers?
VH: Next on the menu will be a workshop in the beautiful Canadian Rockies during January. We will be searching out and photographing frozen waterfalls, lakes and ice caves!
CC: And finally, how would you describe our photography in one word?
VH: Storytelling.
To view more of Viktoria's work, go to:
Instagram: @viktoriahaack
Facebook: @viktoriahaack
www.viktoriahaackphotography.ca
