Lavinia Cernau

1. When photographing a woman as a woman, does that actually change anything in your relationship with the subject, or in what happens during the shoot?
My aim with every shoot I do is to have those moments, those fractions of seconds when my subject(s) reveal their vulnerability, their human nature above everything else and they actually live in the moment, so this was the case with these images as well.
2. Are there any visual conventions inherited from the male gaze that you have consciously sought to dismantle, or, on the contrary, to make your own?
I like to think I make, I create my own scenes, I’m a very visual individual and as such, I visualize the scene beforehand, it’s all in my head before I even direct the scene. For me it’s all about spontaneity as well, I let the subjects move and interact with me so it’s a collaborative process in the end. Whether this entire process is subconsciously influenced by the male gaze - or any other gaze actually, that’s a given, however I do believe my visual print as a photographer speaks louder.
3. What has your own body, your own experience as a woman, contributed to the way you frame, direct, and choose a moment?
It’s inherently there, my feminine approach to shooting, to framing and eventually choosing the moment, but above all I think it’s all about my instinct and the energy between me and the subject, it’s more individual related, it’s trust and instinct at the same time.
4. Do you recognize yourself in what you photograph, or is it precisely the distance between you and the subject that interests you?
With every frame I take there’s definitely a part of me that dictates and reflects mood, energy and all I’m about at that precise moment.
5. Do you think there is a distinct “feminine gaze,” or is that a notion that strikes you as reductive?
I think that as humans we each have a unique view of the world and as photographers all the more so, The ‘feminine gaze’ concept does seem a little restrictive when you look at it this way.
6. What is your vision of couple, being in love, being tender?
That’s so particular to each couple, and to me, through my viewfinder, there are so many feelings and emotions that can be felt and captured; I think it’s the richness of the human experience and capacity to show emotion and feeling that reveals itself so powerful to us, photographers; from then on, it’s all about your vision as an artist.
7. What do these photographs contribute to the presentation of your work, which tends to focus on lifestyle?
For me, it’s all about lifestyle so these are actually just another few frames that I’m really proud of to represent my vision and ethos.
8. What story does your series tell? And what does it bring to the Woman by women project?
It’s so much feeling and tenderness, so much living and loving! It’s cliché, but it’s about being present and living the in the moment. It does indeed help that Sarah and Marco are a real-life couple and it all comes across so real, so powerful, at least to me.
I think my series just brings a different but at the same time very accessible, conventional even, point of view. I like to keep things simple.