Featured Photographer: Alexandra Bochkareva
You might’ve already seen some of Alexandra Bochkareva’s stunning work gracing your Facebook feed – her shoot featuring model Olga Moskvina and Alice, a trained fox, resplendent in nature has gone viral, with hundreds of thousands of views and shares.
And for good reason – Alexandra’s work is a delight for lovers of fairy-tales and the female form. We recently interviewed her about some of her work below.
Originally based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but now residing in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Alexandra’s shoots feature wild animals and surreal but beautiful scenarios straight from a story-book – a milk-pale nymph rising from a pond; a girl at ease in a field, caressing an albino python to her chest. We can’t help but think of the iconic Merida from Disney’s Brave, champion for redheads everywhere, when we look her work.
Her work also showcases the rich landscapes and hidden natural treasures where she lives, shooting in fields, ponds and grottos. Keep reading for that exclusive interview!
Q: Your images of the fox and the redhead have gone viral! How does it feel to have so many new fans of your work?
A: Yes, I'm very happy to see that my Foxes series have become popular, it makes me think that I do something really inspirational not only for me, but for others too.
Q: You've done a lot of beautiful work with redheads - what is it about them that's so special for you?
A: Redheads' beauty is special for me. There are redheads in my family too. I think their appearance is very poetic. I'm always searching for new ginger muses.
Q: What media are you inspired by for your photography - books, films, music?
A: My main inspiration is nature - I had grown up in a private house with a garden. I love this time. Also, books because my family has a big home library, so I had spent lots of my time reading-reading-reading :)
Q: You shoot some wonderful scenes in nature - where are your favourite places to shoot in your part of Russia?
A: My first plein airs shootings were in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Most of them were in Botanical Gardens, with a few in the mountains and villages. Now I'm based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, and my favorite places to shoot here are the forests nearby the city and the beach of the Gulf of Finland (Neva Bay).
Q: You've taken a number of photos with (very tame-looking) wild animals. What elements do they bring to your work?
A: As most of my muses are redheads I decided to bring into my photographs more nature and reds - like Alice, the fiery fox and a king snake. They bring to my work a very specific atmosphere and lots of special feelings because they are so cute. Alice, the fox, is very funny and adorable, moving every second :) They are tame-looking, but in another second they do what they want - run, crawl away and so on. I understand my models are very brave.
We’re so honoured to be featuring Alexandra’s work on Whim – for more, browse through her gallery online, like her photography on Facebook, or follow her on Instagram at @alexandra_bochkareva_arts..Cecile Blackmore is a writer from Brisbane, Australia. She writes and edits at The Creative Issue and hoards vintage clothing – follow her adventures on Instagram at @saintcecile.