Photographer Trudy Kazangu has been a member of the Chase community for quite some time.
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She began her career as a writer with a passion for the visual arts, which made photography and videography a natural next step. She is currently interning at Flair Belgium and working on her project Tinted Souls. Recently, we collaborated with her on a paid assignment for one of our Chase clients.
Hi Trudy, how do you go about organizing a photo shoot?
Trudy Kazangu: “First, you need to know what you want to achieve with your shoot. Preparation is key! Improvising is allowed, but it’s usually very risky. Second, don’t forget the three most important things: your camera, charger, and memory card. And last but not least, it’s best to go to bed early the day before a shoot. It might not seem like it, but during a photoshoot you need to be very alert and precise. That can be very tiring.”
“With the support of Anastassia Oudovitchenko, Senior Account Manager at Chase Creative, I was able to approach this shoot in a very structured way. Without her help, it would never have gone so smoothly. Most of the shoot was planned and prepared down to the smallest detail. Ana even noted the time of sunrise on the call sheet. It may sound absurd, but it’s essential if you want to work with natural light.”
What about casting, mood boards, and locations?
Trudy Kazangu: “Ana and I were both responsible for casting the models. We had a diverse selection of women, and the client was also happy with the casting. Based on the client’s vision, I created a mood board on Pinterest. After the models were chosen, I created specific mood boards for each model. That helps enormously during a shoot because you already know in advance what you’re aiming for.”
“Visiting the location in advance is definitely a plus. Unfortunately, this time I wasn’t able to visit the locations in person before the shoot. But Ana always made sure I received detailed photos of the rooms before I had to photograph them.”
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Photo by @agneskena for @ray .bodycare
How did the shoot go overall?
Trudy Kazangu: “Thanks to the mood boards I created beforehand, we already knew what kind of look we wanted to achieve. So that went very smoothly. The boards mainly served as inspiration and a foundation. One thing that didn’t really go according to plan was time... When working on such an extensive shoot, time is your biggest enemy. You have to work fast and still perform well as a photographer—not only for the client but also for yourself. You solve that problem by being as well prepared as possible before the shoot.”
What are the main differences between shooting on location and in a studio?
Trudy Kazangu: “I’ve never worked in a studio, but I assume that in a studio you have more control over various factors like lighting, positioning, and space. When shooting on location, you sometimes have to search for solutions and adapt more.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses in photography?
Trudy Kazangu: “My strongest point is probably my ability to assess things visually—whether it’s styling people, choosing a color palette, selecting a location, or working with models. My weakest point is that I often underestimate how much effort it takes to get a project off the ground. I enjoy it so much that I sometimes forget it’s also hard work.”
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Photo by @agneskena pre @ray .bodycare
Would you recommend hiring an assistant?
Trudy Kazangu: “I recommend hiring an assistant if it helps you. But an assistant can also slow you down if they aren’t attentive enough or don’t have a feel for this kind of work. You can also handle a shoot on your own because often you simply don’t have another option. A good assistant is really a luxury for me right now. I’ve always done everything on my own and still do. So you can definitely work without one.”
Do you have any tips for other photographers?
Trudy Kazangu: “The only advice I can offer as a photography enthusiast is not to lose sight of yourself while searching for your own style. It comes naturally, and every type of photography has its audience. Experiment as much as possible! In everything I do, I see a part of myself, and that’s very important to me.”
<img class="editorial-image" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/637fa006bbd6df2ee73927fb/645141f7d3b1b0322784cfa3_5Q9yqddIdUwaxNv1vkbEa90r3N1v2ChCTgOwfitk6rg.jpeg"/>
Photo by @agneskena for @ray .bodycare
Do you prefer working on your own projects or taking on assignments?
Trudy Kazangu: “Right now, I prefer working on my own projects because there’s much less pressure. Photographing people is my favorite thing to do. That’s how my love for art began. Capturing faces is always so beautiful. I can also take on assignments for others, but in those cases, the client and I need to be more or less on the same page. Collaborations are great learning experiences, and I know I still have a lot to learn!”
Did you achieve the goals you set for 2019? Do you have any goals for 2020?
Trudy Kazangu: “In 2019, I set a goal to make music. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time to focus on music, but I really need to work on that because music makes me very happy. My goal for 2020 is to save enough money for my big trip through South America in October. There, I want to make more small personal documentaries like my series Tinted Souls and do my own thing under the southern sun. I hope photography will help me achieve that goal. Besides that, I want to feel more comfortable in everything I do and everything I am. I want stability and serenity.”
Article by Ashley Okwuego.
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