Valentina Cytryn: from Food to Faces
LA based photographer, Valentina Cytryn, has gone from shooting dishes for food menus to shooting faces we all know and love such as Booboo Stewart, Niki Demar, Ashley Tisdale, and Olivia Holt to name a few.
Tell us a bit about who you are and what got you started.
I am a 22 year old in LA. I come from a very creative family, my mom is an artist and my dad is a musician. I discovered Instagram in 2012 and I started a food account. I would post pictures of food and eventually, I got a job at a restaurant shooting their menu. I then emailed every restaurant, modeling agency, clothing brand, etc… till I started getting regular work.
What inspired you to pick up film photography in addition to your regular work?
Film photography is so special because it makes you slow down. It forces you to be precious with your shots. That’s a good thing to live by even when I’m not shooting.
Ok, this or that:
- Burger or pizza: burger!
- Studio shoot or location shoot: location shoot.
- Sweet or savoury: sweet :)
- Photography or editing: photography!
You’ve worked with loads of well-known names from Olivia Holt and Ashley Tisdale to most recently, Niki Demar. You seem to be catching them in their most natural setting and in their element - is this a particular approach you prefer to take?
Yes! I love shooting with natural light, and out and about in LA. It's so important to make sure that the person is super comfortable above everything else. When I take that approach then it’s easier to bring out the model's true personality in the photos. The shoot has to be special to them and not just to me.
Would you like to work on editorial shoots in the future? If yes, who are your dream publications or brand/talent collaborations?
Yes! I would love to shoot for magazines such as Billboard, Vogue, Rolling Stone, etc.. And it would be a dream to shoot my favorite musical artists such as Jessie Reyez, Sam Smith, Bishop Briggs, and Halsey to name a few.
Finally, what’s your favourite type of cake?
Princess cake! It’s a layered cake with whipped cream, vanilla cake, and jam. The outside is covered in marzipan. It's immaculate.
Keep up-to-date with Valentina on Instagram at @valentinatakespics.
