Respect the Shooter Interview with Stella Mesic @partsofthesun
How did you get into photography/videography?
Well, I took photos ever since I can remember, with some old cameras and my phone (around the age of 6) because I always loved the idea of capturing my memories and the beauty of the world around me. I opened up my blog in 2014. and professionally started with photography in 2017. when I got my first gig at the Reebok conference in Zagreb, Croatia. In February this year I recorded my first music video that's gonna be online soon, and three weeks ago I started a YouTube channel!
What did you first use to take photos?
As I already mentioned, mostly old cameras and any phone I had with me at the time, but my first DSLR was Canon 1100D. Later I upgraded to Canon 60D and now I take photos with my favorite Canon 5D Mark IV.
Where did you go to school? Do you have any formal training/self taught?
I finished School of Applied Arts in Osijek as a fashion designer, and even though I didn't have photography as a subject, I learned a lot about basics of composition, light, colors and contrast through classes of Art History. In the Summer of 2017. I got into the Fotosofija photography seminar that lasted for a week and that gave me a real boost in my career. I learned a lot about Photoshop and commercial photography, but I'm mostly self taught so I spend a good amount of time online, mostly learning about editing and post-production. I observe constantly and see details other people would maybe miss, so taking photos as it is came natural to me. Post-processing I had to learn.
Do you have any nicknames? How did you get that name?
No nicknames haha, but the name Parts of the Sun was my invention. I wanted to figure out a name for my brand that included light as the main thing in photography, and since I mostly take photos of others and myself, I see all of us as those Parts that together make a whole Sun.
If you could take photos of any 3 people who would it be?
Hmm, a tough one. Since I'm mostly about art photography, I would love to take photos of people who would be willing to take part in some unorthodox ideas I have. Definitely Sevdaliza, because her music and videos inspire me greatly, I love her aesthetics. Elle Fanning, such a gorgeous creature. And John Mayer. I think he'd be up for anything 😊
If you could take photos of any 3 people that are no longer living who would they be?
Alexander McQueen, Henri Mattise in his studio and Isadora Duncan.
If you could take photos in any 3 cities what would they be?
Joshua Tree National park in Nevada desert (hope that counts), Tokyo and Jurassic Coast in England.
What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?
I always aim towards capturing the essence of someone's beauty, inside and out, but also making my photos transfer some new ideas and things I stand for, like the freedom of living and expressing yourself through your art. I mostly take photos of my friends that aren't that relaxed in front of the camera, so I do my best to make them feel good when we shoot. It's one of the most important things. I always have a clear idea about what I wanna get from the photo session, but I also let things play out for me and keep an open mind. When you approach things from the angle of experiment and love, everything works out.
What music do you listen to when you edit photos?
I'm a big fan or deep house and minimal, so that's always my first choice. I have a playlist under the name ''Dancefloor'' and there you can find names like Nicolas Jaar, Andhim, Solomun, Jan Bloomquist, Niju, Nic Fanciulli, Nina Kraviz.
What's your favorite app on your phone?
AliExpress! Haha! I don't spend a lot of time on Instagram and Facebook, but I love browsing through AliExpress because you can find a lot of props and materials for photo sessions under low prices. And since I live in Croatia, we don't have that many stores in which you can find all those cool things, so I always order them online.
What is your dream as a photographer?
That my Canon takes me around the word and that my photos speak my truth about life, about how beautiful it is. I absolutely love working and I take photos every single day. I know I wanna do this for the rest of my life. Just work as much as I can, with as many amazing individuals and brands, in all the cities of the world. I want to be the photographer that wraps up everything she shoots in the sphere of art. Whether is it fashion, commercial, travel or beauty photography. I want my work to be outside the lines of ''already seen''.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to be a photographer/videographer?
Do it for the love of work, shoot every single day and remember that only person you have to compete with is yourself. 5% is talent, everything else is work.
Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.)
I mostly post on Instagram under the name @partsofthesun, I also have a YouTube channel and Facebook page under the same name. And my blog is at the url partsofthesun.com