Blitz Interview: Vicoolya and Saida Gets Personal

Today, we have with us the unbelievably creative female duo, Vicoolya and Saida. They are photographer and stylist from Donetsk, Ukraine.

Besides that, they are best friends that create all photographs and scenes together - from makeup, hair, style, poses, location, lighting, photographing, retouch... everything necessary to produce a killer fashion photography.

TM: Okay, lets first define who is Vicoolya and who is Saida in a professional sense? And, are those your real names or pseudonyms?

Vicoolya: Our names are Viktoriia and Saida. Vicoolya is kind of typical cute type of my actual name that stuck with me since teenager times.

I’m a photographer and Saida is a stylist and art director. But we never liked to divide responsibilities. We’re always discussing the upcoming picture: the location, the light, the styling. I can do hair and Saida is always near to advise the angle and fix the pose of the model. We’re editing pics together. We got all our humble experience in two so sometimes it’s literally enough one look to understand each other.

TM: Correct me if I am wrong but I think I read somewhere that you are settled in Venice, Italy, for some time already. What does Italy offer to a professional photographer?

V&S: Huge taxes! :)))

Italy is our main inspiration... there are mesmerizing locations matching to our vision: surrounding varied nature, authentic towns and grand cities, colors, light... also rich history, cinema, fashion, people, food... This country provides an endless stream of deep vibes.

TM: True, Italy is undoubtedly beautiful country. Where did you two meet? And how did you realize that two of you should work together as a team?

Saida: I found Vicky on a social network 10 years ago. I was practicing in styling meanwhile working in the utility office, so I would have liked to have around a photographer who shares my view. Vicky was also an amateur then. After 2-3 months we became best friends. I quit my job and since then we’ve started our long common way.

It’s been not easy as we both were raised in a post-soviet society that was almost never spreading or supporting any creativity. We had no idea what to do and how to do, so we just collected the experience working a lot. year by year our strong duo still never gives up and we’ve always been upfront with each other.

TM: While watching your photographs I noticed that you have several favorite models who are posing for you... can you tell us with who do you love to work the most? And who is the best model to work with, in your opinion?

V&S: You know, our pictures are rare about the individuality of the model. Rather it’s an expression of our personal inner worlds, our fantasies about a time machine. How we see it, what we want to voice, how we mix it with reality. So the best model for us is that one who is like to be a black canvas embellished by us. She has to have a desire to take part in our intimate art. Not a new conclusion: the best team should share your vision perfectly. Otherwise, it’s just a business.

TM: I know what you mean... How much time you spend in post-production and whether you belong to the category of photographers who do not prefer too much after processing?

V&S: We are not fixed about skin-editing routine as we like it natural. But the color correction is our passion. Or the magic of bw process. Anyway, 1 pic takes 5-30 min.

TM: What is the next project you two will be working on?

V&S: As we are living in different countries with our families during lockdown unfortunately we can’t start working until they open borders. That’s why we put on hold all our projects and can’t respond to our clients' exact dates... We are just hanging. The very first projects supposed to be Guess lingerie campaign in Italy and Marc&Andre Paris campaign in Greece.

TM: Are there some models or influential people you wish you could photograph in the future? If you can make a list of three wishes...

V&S: Difficult question...we are fans of a woman beings in all their forms and manifestations... let them be Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, Kate Blanchett and Chiara Ferragni.

Ah we named four of them, sorry :))

TM: It's a great selection though! Thank you Vicoolya and Saida for this pleasant talk… Stay sharp!

V&S: Thank you for this conversation, we appreciate your attention ♥️

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Follow Vicoolya and Saida on their Instagram and enjoy the ride!

The MAN editor

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