Working with ethereal natural light and casting models with imperfect beauty, Jolijn Snijder’s photographs exude sensuality but also have a feeling of risk.
Images
Q&A
Name: Jolijn Snijders
Year of Birth: 1981
Nationality: Dutch
Based in: Amsterdam - Paris
Website: www.ilovefake.com
Blog: http://shadowsplaying.blogspot.com
Representation: Eric Elenbaas Agency
How did you start your career?
I was an intern at Ellegirl magazine doing mostly layouts and illustrating girls, always the same ones with thin legs and arms and long, messy hair. A stylist who was interning there asked me to shoot a fashion story with her, because she saw some photos I took. I instantly loved working with a model, directing them to get the picture I have in my head. So instead of drawing girls with ink, I started photographing them. I am doing what I love, its really cool.
How would you describe your style?
Raw, cinematic, candid, moody.
What do you think is your best work so far?
I really like the story I just did for INDIE magazine with Topaze de Vries. The polaroid story “Follow the Darkness” of Dioni is also one of my favorite series, because my digital camera broke that day and all I had left was my polaroid camera to shoot the story.
Who or what has influenced you?
I am extremely influenced by movies. Especially the work of Godard, Cronenberg, Lynch and Larry Clark. I also love Helmut Newton’s and Hockney’s polaroids, lomography, and Richard Kern’s short movies.
What sets you apart from other people in your profession?
There’s always a dark edge in my photos, use of daylight and improvising a lot. I like unusual things.
How would you describe your view of the world?
The world is mine.
What music do you like to work to?
I am really into underground hiphop but it doesn’t work on the set. I mostly turn up some indie rock stuff you can dance to.
Three people you would love to work with:
Sam Riley, Carine Roitfeld, Vincent Gallo.
Where do you find inspiration?
Cinema, my drawings, horror and film noir, Godard, 90’s grunge, the people around me, i-D magazine.
What are you loving at the moment?
I am currently on the lookout for the perfect boys to shoot! In Holland there’s a lack of the type of boys I like to shoot. I love tall, skinny, young, indie boys.
Film you think everyone should see:
Bufallo ‘66, with Vincent Gallo and Christina Ricci.
Best advice you have ever been given?
Do what you love, and do it well, you only live once
What are your future plans?
I want to publish ilovefake magazine in the near future. Hopefully shooting for i-D magazine or some cool magazines!
What do you ultimately want to achieve in your career?
Make a decent living with photography and most importantly, I want to leave something behind that maybe inspire others to do something with their life… to create!
Influences
Larry Clark, New York Hardcore, Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll
Who do you think is one to watch?
Yuri from Bananas Agency and Request NY. He’s a kid from the Bronx, right now being thrown in to the fashion industry instead of the havoc of the ghetto, he’s another example of the trend towards actual human beings in fashion instead of a typical “male” model, I am very happy to see all these interesting people being signed to modeling agencies right now, praise diversity.
New Wave Jun 19th 2008