A Conversation with Photographer Tanya Chalkin

November, 2005

Tanya: I think a deeply ingrained love and appreciation for Photography, Art and Design is embedded in my character. For me photography it not just a profession or a pastime; it’s really more like a passion. While I was growing up, my parents gave me my first camera. Rather than randomly point-and-click, I recall always taking that extra moment to frame the shot. It’s as though my eye had its own innate sense of composition. The creative bug has been a part of me ever since.

Tanya: I think they were expecting it. I studied first at the Chelsea College of Art and Design in the U.K., and went on to earn my B.A (Honors) at the world-renowned London College of Printing. I’ve been working professionally now for the past seven years.

Tanya: If the viewer thinks too seriously about the subject matter, then it might. Though I prefer for the viewer to think of my images as light and fun. I tend to shoot sexy imagery because I enjoy portraying emotions of love and lust, which draws the viewer in. There is so much erotic photography out there trying to be sexy, in  my view it can often miss the point. For this reason I like to keep my shots sexy but with a certain subtlety and tenderness. I think its easier being a female and creating this kind of subject matter as there is already an inherent understanding between the female models and myself.

Tanya: It takes hours to select the models, get them comfortable with each other, and get the framing and lighting just right. I shoot many of my images in black and white as it contributes to a classic, timeless look, and the tonal qualities of black and white photography suit my images.

Tanya: That’s the key idea here: Quality. I am a perfectionist and it is important to me that the end results are striking. The pre and post production of any of my shoots takes up a lot of time. It makes a big difference in the quality of the final product and is definitely worth it.

Both “Kiss” and “Sleeping Beauties” evolved as imagery from two separate photo shoots, People want images that are erotic, fun, and that stand apart from what is out there. I receive so many requests to my website from fans around the world requesting more of my work, which is fantastic! I really appreciate all of the comments and it makes me feel elated that I can bring pleasure to someone.

Tanya: My preferred camera is a Mamiya with a 6x7 negative. It’s a Japanese make, and is well known and widely used in fashion photography.

Tanya: I think Sleeping Beauties is a great image. I hope the public will agree; only time will tell! The beautiful models sleeping alongside one another feels so vaguely erotic and sensual, yet so innocent and sweetly charming. I want the viewer to wonder what the girls are dreaming about! It was released in October ‘05, so it’s appearance on Reality Bedding marks its first broad exposure to the North American marketplace.

Tanya: Men will always be drawn into imagery such as “Kiss” and “Sleeping Beauties”. There’s something about scantily clad women lying together. Still, you’d be surprised at how much women enjoy them.

I think we live in an age where the young, especially young women, feel validated by openly acknowledging and celebrating their sexuality. They’re more at ease casting aside their sexual inhibitions, and more freely expressing themselves in ways that their mothers and grandmothers never did. Look no further than “Sex and the City” for evidence of that notion. Life imitates art, which in turn imitates life. That’s what good art is, after all – a reflection of the curious alchemy of our own underlying values, attitudes, wants, and desires.

Tanya: I have two photographic posters of men on the market right now. One is entitled “L’Homme”, which features a rugged, masculine model in an outdoorsy pose. My more controversial poster is “Boy” which features a well-defined, frontal, youthful male trunk and torso in somewhat revealing white briefs, taken from a low angle. It’s perhaps a bit too homoerotic for the mass market, and may appeal more to gay men than to women.

Tanya: As well as continually working for fashion magazines, I would like to shoot a portfolio of exclusively male images for my 2007 ‘Male’ calendar, which will be my first male calendar to be sold in North America. An all-male portfolio will demonstrate my versatility, and will be a challenge as well. In the near term, my 2006 calendar is already on the market here in Europe and has had a brilliant response from the public. There will also be a 2007 female calendar to be sold in North America available from around March 2006.