More on Maxim (Overview and Interview)

Maxim Repin. This name will ring a bell to all our readers who love new faces as much as we do. He is the person standing on the other side of the camera who shot the very first tests of many models from AL Models, Grace Models or Stardom Management among others. Count among the huge list names like Dasha Malygina, Daria Strokous, Irina and Ksenia Gorban or more recently Darya Kurovska now signed with Supreme and gathering some pretty high expectations. He's the one working with the next generation right now. Call them Odelia, Marta, Alice, Dzina, Vick or our favorite Alexa who was just featured here a few days ago. You might also know him for his work published in russian editions of Harper's Bazaar, Jalouse and L'Officiel. Though, we wanted to focus on tests - his approach of shooting with models who just begin. Let's go for it. Overview and interview.

Odelia @ AL Models

Dzina @ AL Models

Daria @ Stardom Management

Alexa @ AL Models

Marta @ AL Models

Fashion Does It Better: How and why did you start test photography for new faces ?
Maxim Repin: I started doing test shots as always need more pratice and I can experiment a lot working on tests. With light or any technical aspect. I must say it was such a good school for me when I had to shoot fast and concentrate on the pictures. That was for the beginnings but now it's still a good way to experiment, try new ideas. Maybe like a pre-shooting for a future story

FDIB: Can you point out some of the specific aspects of tests compared to other work you do ?
MR: As I told you, it's the kind of job that allows me to experiment. You can also compare tests with sketches for a painter. Also, I see many models and then can book them for some editorials. Another thing I consider as important is that I'm absolutely free with light, with styling. With everything. I can almost do what I want as long as the pictures are good in the end. Sometimes tests are like smaller fashion shootings with hair and make-up, clothes from showrooms etc. But I prefere without. Simple clothes and almost no make-up or fancy hairdos. Sketches.

FDIB: Which models you worked with were the most remarkable ? What makes them special ?
MR: There were too many and they're all different.

FDIB: That's our point too. They're all different, all special in their own way. Provided this, some might fit specific atmospheres as they all can bring something different. You might have some particular memories with some models. Who were them, what sets them apart from many others ?
MR: I really can't think of just one but if have to describe what makes some more special than others, I'd say attitude. When they are models at hundred percent. Coming in time and giving their best during the sessions. It's all about feeling like... a monolithic team.

FDIB: We understand this and have noticed that attitude can bring a little more, can have an influence on a model's career. But, what kind of influence does it have on your work for a first test ?
MR: A lot of influence actually. I worked with a girl from AL Models, I like most of their new faces. The girl looked great. The problem was her feet were bleeding because of the shoes. But she worked it out, she was amazing. She's the kind I would book again for an editorial, she's a model I can rely on. Much important.

FDIB:  Great, that's enough for this part. You say you like to expolore and experiment. What are you exactly experimenting right now ? What are your main ideas for next shootings and what can we expect ? Some specific features you're working on ?
MR: I experiment less on lighting as I used to as my skills improved a lot on this front. I don't need more practice on this side and I'm able to concetrate on other aspects. And even pay less attention to it. To light. I'm more interested in working on less polished pictures.

FDIB: Is it directly linked to the fact you were working on more polished, more retouched pictures or is it random inspiration ?
MR: I think it doens't come out of the blue and might be related to what I used to do before. I'd also say it's not necessary for a test to be as soft and polished as a beauty story. This helps a lot to explore new ways too.

FDIB: Well, that's interesting as we were about to ask you about the agencies. Do they have specific requests ? Some seem to have a real vision, to promote their own aesthetic. Does it have an influence on your work when you have to do tests ? Or do they always leave you enough room to experiment ?
MR: They don't have specific requests for tests and let me do what I want. I know first tests are important in a book and I work on them as if they were for myself, for an editorial. But it doesn't refrain me from experimenting and I always feel free on the details.

FDIB: Any plans for the future ? Near future and in general…
MR: Working and working more. Editorials and tests, it's not a matter of what it will be in the end, it's about going further on my own way. Doing something that will be mine, really mine. Turning my ideas into pictures. It's sometimes very different from one shooting to the other. It depends on many things relying on various parameters. For tests, the work I do is closer to Expressionism. The exact moment I'm shooting is very important. Even I can always plan to do this or that in advance, what will happen in front of the camera will decide of many things.

 
Vick @ Stardom Management, Darya @ Grace Models, Alice @ Grace Models 

Even more on Maxim's work on his website. And much more to come.

Comments

[maud]

Yes, tests are standing somewhere in between rawness and sophistication... a mysterious location that must be very exciting to explore to give birth to different forms of raw, and different forms of sophisticated.
thank you for feedback guys
thank you Maxim for the interview
&
much love to you all !

[Natalie Berezina]

Maxim is incredibly talanted photographer.

[rider]

this is very exciting interview. i must say i love his work, and you introudeced him in a great way. i would just mention something i liked the most. first: the way he describes tests as sketches... at least the way he likes to do them. i also like simplicity around tests. in all they styling process, and make up, model tend to loose its essence. second: attitude. you can be gorgeus as helena, but if u dont have a proper attitude, a stoty that is selling your look, you have nothing. bleeding feet? uuh.