“Photography became my life and made me always want to know what´s behind the surface. Try to be as conscious as possible. I can´t see photography as just something I do for living or to express creativity.”

Alexander Schuktuew impresses us with images that speak volume. The Kazakstan born talented portrait, corporate, fashion and music photographer grew up in Bavaria and in the meantime lives between Hannover, Berlin and Ingolstadt. Growing up in a skateboarding environment “in a scene with a really powerful character itself”, this power certainly picks one´s way through his work. Browsing through his captured instants is like seeing a whole life in front of your eyes, packed with emotions and stripped down to the essence of what makes us humans.

How did you become interested in lifestyle and people photography?

I started photography through skateboarding when I was 14 and just shot anything around me. So I was growing up in a scene with a really powerful character itself, surrounded by so many different and strong individuals I could always portrait. That is the most interesting for me, get in touch with inspiring people, live amongst all kinds of artists and life loving people, creating a world together.

And where did you get this feeling from?

From everybody who showed me his real face.

Do you find yourself always looking at the world wondering how it would look as a photograph?

Not at all. I start thinking about pictures when I feel like I want to do one, or when I decide to shoot something. But I do find myself wondering what energies flow between me and other people, or objects, or whatever there appears. Then follow my guts and find a nice composition inside

What is your favorite photograph that you have ever taken? And why?

Haha, absolutely impossible for me to say that. Every time I look at my own stuff, I like something different.

How has photography influenced you as a person?

It became my life and made me always want to know what´s behind the surface. Try to be as conscious as possible. I can´t see photography as just something I do for living or to express creativity. Anything I do is connected to it and everything I sense appears in my images, even if I don´t know it myself.

As a child you always wanted to be ?

I don´t know, something flying.

If you could go back a few years, what advice would you give yourself?

Don´t lie to yourself.

2016 will be..?

Another number.