As a mostly self-taught artist, Rikalo began practicing photography while she was studying law.
During this time, she quickly fell in love with the medium and its capability to create different narratives.
We recently had a chance to catch up with Rikalo.
Scroll down to read My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
What is your background in photography?
What drew you towards this particular medium?
I started taking photos nine years ago.
Back then, I was taking photos on my trips with family and self portraits.
They left me speechless.
They had such strong emotions and stories.
I started looking at photography with different eyes.
That kept me motivated and inspired to try something new, different.
(continued)I started taking photos of friends, familiar faces.
I was too shy to ask somebody to pose for me.
Slowly, I was opening for new faces and breaking the ice with people I didn’t know.
After nine years, I worked with more than 300 models.
Your photographs are incredibly transportive and feature many fantastical elements.
Do you see your photos as scenes from a story?
My photos are stories and scenes.
Each element has a big meaning.
Once you publish the photo, it is not yours.
Everyone will see their own lives and stories reflected in the image.
What inspires your stories?
My huge inspiration is life, nature, and people.
I love to connect the three to make a story.
Almost all of the stories you see in my photos are based on my life.
I connect these stories with nice dresses, natural elements, and fresh faces.
Additionally, photographerTim Walkerwas a major inspiration when I was beginning my photography practice.
Do the models in your photos represent characters or ideals?
I am very picky when choosing models.
Each model must connect with the concept character and the whole story.
Body language is also very important.
It is like a movie and models are the main characters.
How important is location for your photography?
Every element is important: model, location, outfit, hair, makeup, and props.
Location represents the whole scene, where the main action is happening.
There is no rule for how I choose a location.
Clothing and costume appear to be distinct components of your world-building.
How do you choose the garments?
When it comes to outfit, most of the time I choose dresses.
And it also looks nice in the photos.
I am all into dreams and magic; and dresses represent that, right?
What is the most important part of your photography process?
But that feeling, when you see your idea on the set, can’t be described.
Especially If you have a big scene and lots of elements.
Do you have any advice for aspiring fine art photographers?
You will see how important this step is in photography.
Each photoshoot will bring you a new point of view and lesson.
Do you have any upcoming projects you’ve got the option to talk about?
I am planning to visit different countries where I will create different scenes.
Lots of amazing things will happen next year!
