YANA SHPITSBERG | 2 Projects: “NAKED &” | AQUATIC

YANA SHPITSBERG | 2 Projects: “NAKED &” | AQUATIC

“I am inspired by Wild Nature, which I see both in the outside world and our bodies. At the moment, I am exploring nudity and the variety of different aspects of it, vulnerability, sexuality, and acceptance. I am also thrilled by the transformative effect of accepting and observing your body and exposing it openly to other human beings.”

Project: “NAKED &”

In this project, I aim to explore the relationship between us in society, the human body from all aspects, and the relationship between Humans and Nature. I like to place models in harmony with the natural background. I play with the lines of the landscape and with location respecting it and adapting to it without interruption.
I want all humans to observe and accept their bodies and be able to expose them openly, feeling safe and the same time.
I also aim to inspire the viewers to preserve the beauty of Nature and its resources.

“I had a burnout crisis at some point in my life, which influenced me and caused my search for the most profound needs and meaning. I took my time to understand what I wanted to focus on and what I wanted to shoot. This self-search journey led me to discover the feelings and questions within myself that I wanted to study, explore and express.”

Yana Shpitsberg

Yana Shpitsberg is a thirty-three years old Art photographer and a Curator currently based in Rome, Italy.
“I started my art photography journey just a couple of years ago, having a background as a ‘couple’ photographer, love stories, and wedding photographer. I am working in the classic photography technique and collage technique. So far, I’ve shot in Italy, Spain, and Portugal for my art projects. My inspiration is the wild, virgin Nature and the human body.
My first Solo Exhibition, “Leap of Faith,” was exhibited in Rome in May 2022. I also participated in a collective photo exhibition, “The Surveillance Society,” in Rome in 2022.
“At the moment, I am also curating an ongoing project for an upcoming exhibition, “Naked Questions,” which will be shown in Rome’s cultural space.”

“I am exploring nudity and its different aspects in my ongoing project “Naked&.” In this project, I’m mainly focused on vulnerability, sexuality, and acceptance. I am also thrilled by the transformative effect of accepting and observing your body and exposing it openly to other human beings.”

Getting To Know: Yana Shpitsberg

Lens Magazine: Please share the background of your photography journey. Did you grow up in a creative environment? What led you to the fine art photography field?

Yana Shpitsberg: I’ve been a photographer for over twelve years. My way to fine art photography started with a passion for street photography when I stayed in New York for the summer. I continued with wedding reportage and love stories. I’ve been primarily focused on that photography niche in Russia, my original home base, and later in Rome after my immigration. I had a burnout crisis at some point in my life, which influenced me and caused my search for the most profound needs and meaning. I took my time to understand what I wanted to focus on and what I wanted to shoot.
This self-search journey led me to discover the feelings and questions within myself that I wanted to study, explore and express.

Lens Magazine: Where your inspiration comes from? Is your artistic style influenced by other photographers or a specific art field?

Yana Shpitsberg: I am very inspired by the body language. I have an extreme passion for contemporary dancers’ movements and Yoga postures. I am practicing the last one and expressing some asanas (poses) in my photography projects.
Wild Nature also inspires me. I see both in the outside world and in our bodies.
I am exploring nudity and its different aspects in my ongoing project “Naked&.” In this project, I’m mainly focused on vulnerability, sexuality, and acceptance.
I am also thrilled by the transformative effect of accepting and observing your body and exposing it openly to other human beings.

Lens Magazine: Tell us about the workflow process from the step of the idea until the final outcome.
Which program do you use for editing? Do you see post-processing as the primary time investment in your work?

Yana Shpitsberg: Usually, all projects start with a location. I am inspired by traveling to the islands with their mountains, deserts, and wild oceans. When I discover a spot, some images emerge in my head. Sometimes I sit at home or another location, just close my eyes in spontaneous meditation, and images are coming, and then I think about where I can shoot them. At the moment, I am mostly doing self-portraits, so my model is always available 🙂
I am not a huge fan of Photoshop and of hours of retouching, but I need to use it for my ideas as it requires the gluing of different photos together. I also use Lightroom for coloring.

Lens Magazine: From your personal journey in the fine art photography field, what will be your advice to the young photographer looking for a way of development?

Yana Shpitsberg: My most important advice is: If you want to be a unique artist, don’t look at what others are doing, and don’t follow the mainstream. Use any means to feel and understand what is really touching you. Dig deeper to embrace your fears and passions, even painful ones. Find the most burning questions and try to answer them through the camera.

Lens Magazine: What’s the future hold? Any special exhibitions in the upcoming months?

Yana Shpitsberg: I have just opened an exhibition, “Naked Questions,” and the project @nomadsgallery in Rome in the role of Curator, so I plan to continue this path and organize another show in October.
I plan to feature this photo show in different locations in European cities. I love giving exposure to the work of other artists, and it’s an excellent opportunity to exchange our experiences. Regarding my next solo show, I am still working on the “Naked&” project and will be happy to expose it to the world when it feels complete.

PROJECT: AQUATIC

“A relationship is a flow— a flow with calm or rough waters. We see it differently depending on the day, but it always reflects us. This project aims to feature the connection between each other and between us as a society & Nature, focused on the need to be vulnerable, open, and collaborating in the best way.”

See the full article in Lens Magazine Issue #105