WORDS OF WISDOM IN MONACO
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: Do you have your own rituals before you start working ?
MV : I have a CD from the St . Regis Hotel in New York ; there was a band there that was giving out their music . It was a jazz band called ‘ Who ’ s Rich Jenkins ?’
There is something about those songs that really touches me and puts me in a great mood so I like to listen to that every morning of shooting . Another ritual is making a playlist the day before a big photoshoot .
: You shoot naked bodies . For some models it can be stressful . How do you prepare
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them and devise a comfort zone for optimal creativity ?
MV : Nude photos are something that are always discussed prior to the photoshoot with the model and with the agent ’ s full consent . We take utmost care to make sure everybody feels secure and comfortable prior , throughout and after the shoot .
Love is the single best energy that keeps the world moving , growing and living .
: You also shoot flowers . How does this inspire you ? What is your favourite flower and why ?
MV : Flowers inspire me because they are pure nature . Nature is the most beautiful thing in our planet . I have too many favourite flowers to name one .
: Tell us about your collaboration with galleries in Monaco . What kind of photos are you presenting now ? How does the audience react to the work ? Which ones are particularly interesting ?
MV : I am very pleased to be working with the G & M Design Gallery in Monaco . We collaborated and chose the images , 25 of them , thus the show is called ‘ 25 ’. I wanted to choose images that reflected my idea of Monaco , which is glamour and elegance . Also , we chose photos we could see collectors wanting . All the photos hold a special place in my mind , each photo has a story to tell . The reaction from the audience has been great .
: At this exhibition in Monaco , some of your works show the influence of Russian culture : hats , hairstyles , jewellery . Tell us about it .
MV : My Russian Hat series is one of my favourite set of photos I have ever done . They were shot in Moscow in 2011 . We had just finished a Beauty shoot for Russian Vogue . We were about to leave to go to the airport and I noticed the stylist had brought these incredible Russian Hats , just in case we needed them . I said , ‘ They ’ re incredible ! I need to photograph them .’ We shot the hats on Russian model Marta Berzkalna very quickly . In half an hour we shot five photos and they are among my best work I have ever done .
: You have travelled a lot in your life , what place can you call your home ?
MV : Yes , I have travelled all my life but for the last twenty years I have considered London to be my home . Myself and my family are very happy here .
: What is the project you are working on now ?
MV : I am working on some prints for some clients who want the work before Christmas . I am working on organizing our Christmas break and I am working on another couple of big art projects I can ’ t talk about just yet .
46 / Hello Monaco Spring 2021 www . hellomonaco . com