One of my colleagues at the marketing departement of VU University asked me to take some portraits of Katya Tolstaya, who was chosen as Theologian of the Fatherland recently. Katya’s wish was to pose in front of a bookcase as most of her male colleagues do and to emphasize her academic level. Katya is Professor of Theology and Religion in Post-Trauma Societies. Her main research and valorisation interest is to establish a totally new field of interdisciplinary and interreligious post-Soviet theology.
I took her to various spots in VU University and these two photographs are the ones she picked out. In neither one she poses in front of books, but in portraiture there are more aspects that determine a good photo: stance, expression, emotion, connection with the photographer/viewer. These two photos were taken at the end of our shoot, in kind of a hurry as lots of people were about to pass by.
I love taking portraits, there is something special about the connection with your subject. If you need one for your socials, please do not hesitate to contact me.
