Parisian photographer, Adrian Skenderovic is always prepared to shoot the unexpected. With a background as a senior creative and copywriter in advertising, Adrian utilizes photography as a tool to escape the rigidity of the advertising world, where everything and anything is planned and prepared meticulously. His photographs are wonderfully curated, often starting with a singular image that soon manifests itself into a larger body of work. As someone who is constantly intrigued with the idea of collecting moments, Adrian often goes back to the same type of imagery. His photographs are all similar - same angle, same subject, same composition but with this stylized repetition of capturing his subjects, Adrian presents a much more nuanced observation of things that goes unobserved. Each of his project is a beautiful archival of everyday behavior, everyday objects and everyday life.
What is this project about?
In Paris, tourist boats called "bateaux-mouches" cruises down the Seine river, offering sightseers a unique view of the Eiffel tower, the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and other well-known monuments. In this series, I wanted to captures the life on The Seine, by looking down on tourists who are looking at Paris.
I will not lie, it was a pretty tedious job – it takes patience. Boats float by at 20 minute intervals on average but it's happened often that I get no worthwhile photograph even after standing on that bridge for several hours. It took me about 50 visits to figure out the exact times when the light is in the right position, when no one can see the shadow of the bridge or that of the surrounding buildings.
During those visits, I also found that there are different types of boats: the bigger boats pack in hundreds of tourists, and these guys are mostly Asian. Then there are the medium-sized boats who carry tourists, but also deal with corporate parties, weddings and saga cruisers. Finally, every now and again a yacht carrying people drinking champagne will also make an appearance. There is something for everyone on the Seine.
What is this project about?
In front of The Palace of Versailles, statues are wrapped for winter to avoid rain infiltration that could freeze and break the stone.For millions of tourists every year, these covered shapes will be the only memories they keep of the beautiful statues in Versailles : they can only imagine what’s behind. In this series made in 2015, I wanted to show that a hidden statue could be more interesting than the statue itself. It’s a tribute to the subconscious art of the gardener who wrapped these antique representations.
How long did this project took you?
This project was not so long to produce. I did few bad shots the first time I discovered the wrapped statues with my girlfriend and then I came back alone several time to shoot it properly.
What is this project about?
City Veins is a photography project that focuses on the strange red plastic tubes that emerge sporadically in the streets of Paris, creating a curved red line along walls and sidewalks. Put together, the photographs connect to create a single vein that runs throughout the city.
To make this project come alive, I did a self-published zine limited to 50 numbered copies, in the form of a 160cm Leporello with an handmade embossed cover.
How long did this project took you?
I collected those red tubes for at least 5 years before doing something. That’s the kind of anomalies I’m looking for when I walk around the city. The single images are not that interesting but the series, and the fact that every picture connects, make the project worth a look.
What’s a day to day itinerary like for you?
I just walk around, spend days in the street, eyes wide open. I shoot whatever that interests me. After a few weeks, I look back at the pictures and classify them in the numerous lightroom sequences I have. A lot of series takes shape from this method. Then, I fill it day after day, years after years. Sometimes, I go out to collect pictures to enrich a specific project.
I like how your photographs leaves the audiences wondering for more. Was this something intentional?
Since I was a kid, I always collected stuff. For me, photography is like having a collection of moments or stuff I like. It’s never-ending.
As a photographer, what is your relationship with Paris?
As a Parisian, I don't notice the beautiful Paris anymore. But I liked to shoot the tourist like I did for my “Down The River” and my “Follow The Guide” projects. It’s always difficult to find inspiration in your daily routine, I always shoot more when I travel! But Paris is a rich city, full of resources and I will always find something interesting to document.
Top 3 songs that you always listen to on your walkabout.
Best place for coffee and pastries in Paris!
I’m in love with Popelini’s Choux in Le Marais.
What are you up to these days?
I’m really into photobooks for several years now. I would love to make my projects come alive in different publication like I did recently with my “City Veins” zine. Editing, sequencing, design, format, paper are good ways to push the concept of my pictures. Maybe the “Down the River” project is the next to come, I have to think about it!
Check out other cool projects from Adrian Skenderovic