Talking photography with Valentina
It all started with us bumping into each other recently at the C/O Berlin. We were there to hear a talk by American photographer Danny Lyon about his practice. As she’s a superfan, she’d seen the show twice. The vibe was totally groovy, Lyon in an entertaining mood, rambling bi-stories full of that American sarcasm I feel gets really hard to follow unless you stop listening and then you get a really rich story. Anyway, we got chatting. I decided to ask her if she’d be up for an interview for Wähälä.co. Basically here’s what followed.
©Valentina von Klencke, NYC Subway, 2016
This is a big question but I’ll ask anyway: why is photography important to you?
Photography is important to me because it’s a form of self-expression, exchange and communication, that often can’t be expressed in other ways. There are so many different ways of using photography. I think often people don’t realise how powerful of a tool it can be.
Especially with the internet now so many images just get lost in this big pool of data. People don’t really take the time anymore to look at an image for more than a few seconds when scrolling through a feed…That’s why I really enjoy going to shows and looking at the physical images, it has a much more lasting effect on me.
©Valentina von Klencke, Los Angeles, 2017
How do you create “the perfect frame”? Is your process more constructing images or rather attempt to capture fleeting moments?
It depends what I’m shooting. If it’s spontaneous, I personally think content matters more than the frame. But that just depends on what I’m trying to capture. I think its different for every photographer, there are hundreds of books on the making of an image. This topic can be discussed forever really…for me it’s more intuitive, the feeling of seeing the final image. I feel whether the end results works for me or not.
It’s also really exciting when you know you’ve captured a split second of a moment that’s already passed once you’ve released the shutter. On the other hand, constructing images can be a lot of fun because you have more control over the frame.
©Valentina von Klencke, Kayla in Los Angeles, 2017
You shoot a lot of women in your work – are women your main source of inspiration?
I’m definitely inspired by women! I think there’s a lot to be said about women working together and supporting each other. But at the same time I think I am especially fascinated by women because they have a very expressive and emotional side to them. I’m definitely a people person so I love getting to know another person’s energy and letting the camera transmit that feeling as much as possible. There are just so many inspiring women out there and not enough time! 😉
©Valentina von Klencke, NYC, 2017
You have lived in the US for a while. How has your stay years influenced your photography? How do you think it would have been without it?
That’s a good question, I’m not sure. The US has a lot to offer visually so it almost seems like you can never run out of subjects to photograph. Compared to Germany, the landscape is so vast and diverse. That’s why I love to drive and take road trips. I think it’s a bit more challenging here in Germany to stumble upon an unusual landscape. On the other hand, there are definitely other advantages like great architecture and historic landmarks. I’m not sure how my work will adapt to being in Europe. I guess we will have to wait and find out!
©Valentina von Klencke, NYC, 2016
©Valentina von Klencke, Kayla in LA, 2017
Where do you see female photographers today? Is there a gender gap in terms of representation?
Unfortunately I feel female photographers are definitely under-represented, just like they are in most other fields. Fashion photography is a perfect example, which is very problematic although it does seem to be improving slightly. The problem in fashion is that many of the big brands and creative directors are men, it’s like a big cycle that can only be broken if support comes from all sides. I’ve been working in that industry and seen it first hand, and a lot of the times people are afraid to speak out because they don’t want to risk losing their jobs. So it’s really a topic that has to keep being addressed until we can see proof of progress. Not only in photography.
©Valentina von Klencke, California, 2017
And finally, where can we best find and follow your work ?
I’m not the best with posting frequently on Instagram but I’m working on it! Check me out on @vvk.photo!
She’s Valentina. Portrait artist’s own. ©Valentina von Klencke.
And it’s a wrap!
Thank you so much Valentina
Stay in tune with her work on Instagram and http://www.valentinavk.com/ . Can’t wait to see what this brilliant woman creates now that she is back in Europe!