“I did another set with Damu, this time as an ode to the selfie culture. Nowadays selfies are everywhere, everyone is doing it, the internet is full of them and as an artist that works with people, taking pictures of models looking their best, selfies are something that fascinates me, to see someone in that private and ideal moment of looking exactly how they want to look and trying to project that perfect image of themselves. So I wanted to do a whole set from the selfie perspective of the shot.” explains photographer and creative director Andrei Topli about his newest C-Heads Exclusive shoot at the Venth Studios London starring muse Damu Lee.
Why are people so obsessed over taking selfies?
Haha, I guess there must be some studies already that can answer this question better than me. Personally, I don’t think that people are obsessed. I think for most it’s just a way to capture moments with their friends or to show themselves to the world the way they want to be seen.
And why do you think are selfies so hated?
Maybe because people are always quick to judge something that is pretty new. Or because it might be a bit vain and associated with obsessing about shallow things, such as looks, beauty etc.
How many selfies do you take every day on an average (including failed attempts)? Out of those, how many selfies come perfect enough for sharing?
Haha, I love the question first of all! Honestly, I only take selfies when I’m having a good day and feel happy, otherwise, I would just notice all the things I don’t like about myself and feel even worse. I am not always as confident as it might look on what I show on social media and I have insecurities as I think most people do. So for me being photographed and posting something that someone else has created and the way they see me is somewhat therapeutic and “more of my thing” I guess.. .
It’s like letting go of the control and not trying to create some sort of image and portray yourself the way you want to be portrayed. It’s just being you. That is the reason I avoid selfies sometimes unless I NEED to show my outfit! But to answer the question because I realize I wrote almost the whole paragraph while avoiding it: I don’t take selfies every day, but good selfies take time and there’s nothing you can do about it, it just happens and it mostly depends on the mood.
“Being photographed and posting something that someone else has created and the way they see me is somewhat therapeutic.”
The most challenging thing about taking the perfect selfie?
For me, it is to hide all the mess in my room behind me and make it look like an adult actually lives there.
What do you love most about yourself?
I love my weird sense of humor and being able to see the positive in most situations.
What’s your view on self branding nowadays?
There’s good and bad in everything and I think it’s important to stay true and spread positivity. And by that I mean, do what you have to do to, but don’t create unrealistic standards for people that see your platform as an inspiration.
“… do what you have to do to, but don’t create unrealistic standards for people that see your platform as an inspiration.”
What’s your go-to channel for sharing most selfies (Instagram feed, story, facebook, snapchat) ?
Instagram story
Your biggest life lesson so far?
Avoid comparing yourself to others… aaaand keep doing what you love most of all !
My best friend describes me as….
My best friend is the most incredible, sweetest, the loveliest person in the whole world! (sorry just had to get that out of the way first) So she only says good things about me, but that’s probably because she’s too nice!
Photographer/Creative Direction : Andrei Topli @andreitopli
Model/ Styling : Damu Lee @damu.lee
Location : Venth Studios London @venthstudios
