Today, we bring you an exclusive interview with renowned Czech photographer Jan Svoboda, known on social media as foto_svoboda. Jan specializes in portrait and glamour photography, and his work resonates with audiences thanks to its authenticity, elegance, and a hint of rebellion.
1. You’ve been photographing women for over 20 years. What continues to fascinate you about female beauty?
Jan Svoboda (foto_svoboda): In today’s world, female beauty is often pushed aside and seen as superficial, but I believe deep down, men want to admire beautiful women, and women want to be admired.
2. Do you have any boundaries you would never cross in your work, or do you believe art should have no limits?
Jan: I think art has no limits, but my personal boundaries are clear — I would never go into areas that resemble pornography or explicit depictions of genitals.
3. Have you ever faced criticism that your photographs are too bold or, on the contrary, too cautious? How do you respond to that?
Jan: I’ve definitely encountered criticism and still do. Some people love it, others don’t. I don’t react to it anymore — everyone’s entitled to an opinion. Sure, some complain the photos are too bold and don’t understand why I shoot them or why the girls pose for them.
4. What is your opinion on the current trend of excessive retouching and filtering of photos on social media?
Jan: I’d say the trend is now shifting toward more natural-looking photos. Still, I’m not a fan of heavy retouching and filtering. In my work, I’m not trying to capture reality — I create visually appealing images. On social media, retouching is starting to fade, but when someone goes overboard, it’s awful. And it’s funny when they don’t even realize it themselves.
5. Do you prefer photographing professional models or girls who are in front of the camera for the very first time? And why?
Jan: I prefer girls who are in front of the camera for the first time because I’m fascinated by their transformation — from the start of the shoot to the very end. I love discovering new faces, and it always brings me a lot of joy.
6. Is there a celebrity or well-known personality you would love to photograph but haven’t had the chance yet?
Jan: Right now, there’s no specific celebrity I’m aiming to shoot. Photography, for me, isn’t about famous faces — it’s about stories and emotions.
7. You release your own calendars every year. How do you choose the themes and concepts for the next year?
Jan: Right now, I only have the “booty calendar.” I shoot all year with the calendar in mind. Most of the images come from other photo sessions I do for Patreon, so the concepts evolve from those shoots.
8. What is the most challenging aspect of organizing your photography workshops?
Jan: The hardest part is convincing photographers that our workshop is truly the best for them — we work one model per photographer, unlike those chaotic shoots where three or four people swarm one model. But once they attend, they usually stay loyal and come back regularly.
9. What motivates you the most during photography, and what frustrates you the most?
Jan: What frustrates me most is having to spend so much time on social media and doing everything around the actual shooting. I’d much rather just focus on photography itself — the show, the backstage, the reactions. That’s what motivates me the most. But nowadays, all that other stuff is necessary too.
10. If you could give just one piece of advice to a beginning photographer, what would it be?
Jan: It might sound cliché, but: shoot, shoot, shoot! Because you won’t truly learn unless you train a lot.
📲 Follow Jan Svoboda
Instagram – @foto_svoboda
Facebook – JanSvoboda.fotograf
YouTube Channel
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