Born near Barcelona, Nath-Sakura graduated in modern literature and philosophy, then worked as a photojournalist for several newspapers and magazines in Europe and France. To date, she has published 5 photography collections and exhibited around the world. She is currently a fashion and advertising photographer and artistic director at Studio photo B612.
RC. What is your background and why do you chose this job ?
I studied Philosophy and Classics. I then learned my work "on the job" in daily newspapers where I worked, and then in photo studios where I was an assistant (for exemple, Publicis). It's been my job for 20 years. I got it through photojournalism. I was a photojournalist until 2012 for several major European daily newspapers and magazines.
RC. What are your references ?
From many experiences, mostly movies, comic books and fashion photography. Also it can be from a walk, a reading or a dream.
RC. What was your favorite project ?
There would be ten thousand of them :) Well ... My favorite is a shooting three years ago. I had to create an advertisement for a brand of wedding dresses displayed on very large boards (metro type). The moodboard indicated that the shot had to take place in a snowy landscape, but the model (Elena Shilnikova) was only available in the middle of July. So, with few means - it was unreasonable for the whole team to climb up to the top of the Mont Blanc - we decided to paint a forest and create the photo in Montpellier. It was 40° the day of the shooting :
RC. What's your favorite materiel or set up ?
Phase-One, Hasselblad et Profoto. It's been a long time that I don't dream of material anymore :) I have a Phase-One IQ4, a studio with 30 flashes Profoto and all the modelers sold over the past 15 years. For the technical tips, I think I have given them all in the two volumes of the "Manuel de Photo et d'Eclairage" ( Victoria Editions ).
RC. Which technical tips can you share with us ?
NEVER look at photographer's tutorials on the internet : most of them tell nonsense and patchy information, and above all, they limit photography to a poor practice that makes creation impossible.
RC. Do you have coming plans ?
A new book comes out in november at Eyrolles. A conference tour is organised, starting with the Salon de la Photo and then throughout Europe (Paris, Geneva, Brussels, Lyon, Marseille, Neuchâtel and Basel). And a dozen of shootings a week is planned at the studio ...
