Jaroslav Monchak

Ukrainian portrait and fashion photographer Jaroslav Monchak plays with light to create natural shots, yet teases the scene with subtle storytelling to add an extra dimension of interest.

An attractive model wearing an expression imbued with layers of subtext, a well-placed prop that draws the eye, a backdrop masterfully illuminated to deliberately reveal specific aspects of interest; there's more to Jaroslav's portraits than first meets the eye.

Based in the city of Lviv, Jaroslav has cultivated a talent for creating superbly lit, posed, styled and captured imagery that has seen him become one of the country's most in-demand shooters, commissioned to produce hundreds of editorial images, many of which have appeared as covers for magazines in his home country and beyond, including Lviv Today, F'OLITIQUE, Egoist Lviv, BOOM plus TV and La Femme Magazine.

Jaroslav, who is completely self-taught, set out on his journey to become a photographer in 2008; since then he has steadily perfected his technique and honed a style that is alive with light, colour, emotion and energy. During his decade-long career, Jaroslav has ventured into other genres alongside fashion and portraiture. Most recently, this has been advertising; shooting high profile campaigns for dozens of brands, pointing his lens at everything from designer lingerie to digital notebooks. Yet since 2016, Jaroslav has found another love alongside photography. He established a photography school, known as Lighthouse, which has given a new generation of photographers the opportunity he once lacked.

"When I first started taking pictures all those years ago, this type of school just didn't exist. The purpose of my photo school is for self development, where students can gain a practical knowledge of photography. I like to talk with these like-minded people who come to us to learn. I get so much pleasure from teaching and being useful to them. We welcome the opportunity to teach beginners and enthusiasts. I just love working with new and exciting photographers."

What's been the most valuable lesson you've learned during your career?

"Probably that, in the photography business, it's important to find and maintain the right balance between commerce and creativity."

What do you do to your images in post?

"The first thing I do is correct the exposure and the white balance, and then if necessary, I select the contrast."

What's been the highlight of your career so far?

"I would say my main achievement was two years ago when I created my own photography school, Lighthouse, which teaches beginners and enthusiasts."

What's the biggest thing in fashion photography right now?

"In my opinion the biggest shift has seen poses become less contrived and much more natural, creating a feeling of relaxation and ease."

What's your secret for nailing the perfect portrait?

"I like to use an aperture between f/2.5 and f/3.2, and never put the shutter speed longer than 1/100, to avoid a blurred image."

Facebook: Jaroslav Monchak
Instagram: @monchak
Website: jaroslav-monchak.com.ua

One Thing I Know
Jaroslav Monchak

"Photographers who are interested in pursuing a career in fashion and portrait photography should ensure that they know the basics. They need to have a strong command of all the technical skills, and fully understand how aperture, shutter speed, ISO and all the other settings work, and how they affect each other. Then it's a case of understanding the light. Portraits with good light will always look beautiful. So spend time looking for the light. Usually I like to work with one source of soft light, which may be a regular window, or a studio softbox."