Anna Illes

I wouldn't even say I studied photography rather just started to experiment with my camera and slowly I began to create in a more conscious way. Being an architect helped a lot too to understand the concept of composition and the influence of light in a photo. I also widened my perspective by getting to know lot of photographers who now I can call my friends and we always shared our experiences with each other.

I wish I could remember my first shot but I'm afraid that was too long ago.

I use a Nikon D810 with one of the following lenses: a 14-24mm f/2.8, a 24-70mm f/2.8 or a 70-200mm f/2.8.

I hope to achieve that my photographs make people feel something when they look at them. I wish I could exhibit them one day in a well-known museum.

Whenever someone says that my work inspired them to learn photography or create their own art always makes my heart truly happy. It's an incredible feeling to influence people's life in such a positive way.

What inspires my storytelling is to show the world that surrounds us all from a perspective that was not yet presented. It can range from noticing and photographing small, even "ugly" details and turn them into something artistic or finding unique angles at well-known tourist sites in big cities.

Different, emotional, determind.

It is a great honor to receive such a recognition. Sometimes it's difficult to stop for a moment and truly value what's behind winning an award like this. Filling this interview out is a great reminder to really think about that it means that several, very accomplished industry professionals thought in a unanimous way that my series has a spot among the top pieces of work. It gives me great confidence to continue working for my goals in the future.

I shot Perfect Illusion long ago in 2018. It was created with a Nikon D3100, a camera that is far from being at a professional level. I cherish this work even up until today because it always reminds me that it doesn't matter what you have in your hand what matters is what you have in your mind and you just have to find creative ways to make it work. And there is always a way to make it work.

It gave me the confidence to present and price my work in a different and it lead to several new opportunities like being a judge myself as well in smaller competitions or working together with great, international brands.

Jaka Ivancic, Alen Tkalcec, Lucien Herv

Just keep practicing and never be afraid to show your true self. Dare to be different.

Just keep practicing and never be afraid to show your true self. Dare to be different. Honestly it's the advice I received and what I like to pass on as well. It's important to get to know yourself really well so you can transfer the way you see the world around yourself into your art in a unique way. The rest will follow. And try not to be perfect all the time just let feelings flow through you and your photos.

Just keep going and be open-minded so in this way you'll never miss a good opportunity for learning.

Luckily I'm naturally a very curious person so non-stop learning was always part of my life.