Hello Sylvie. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you for gODDESS. Many readers of our site are artists and photographers, so I know they'll appreciate your incredible work and your point of view. So tell us, how did you get started in photography?
I spent 10 years working as a model with famous photographers like Andreas Bitesnich, Conrad Goodly, Jan Saudek, Martin Pudenz, Luciene Glerque, Abe Freyndlich and many others. After finishing my studies in arts I got married to the German photographer Günter Blum. I became his favorite model, muse and manager. After his death in 1997 I changed my position and switched to photography. Photography has always been my greatest passion and still is it today.

What projects are you working on now?
I’m currently working on high-fashion and beauty projects. Besides that, I’m doing several art projects with the gallery modernbook.com.

Can you tell us more about your most recent book?
My latest book “M” is a project about men which contains male nudes. It shows intimate insights to the male body and sexuality of men. I present the male body with all its beauty and eroticism in every picture I have taken for this book.

I also want to tell you something about my two other books: “Nudes” and “Hotel Orient” - both published in 2002 by 6x6.com Edition Braus Germany. “Nudes” is a project to show my vision of incomparably beautiful, self-confident women accompanied with breathtaking setting in Miami, Los Angeles, Mallorca and Berlin. The background of “Hotel Orient” is an establishment in which rooms are rented out by the hour with authentic people.

Up to now, my published books are primarily about nudes. With my nude pictures I try to show the timeless beauty of the human body. My new obsession is to create fashion pictures that are classic, modern and tell crazy stories.

What role does art & fashion photography play in modern culture?
Art & Fashion both play an important role in modern culture. I am a fan of the photographer David LaChapelle. His work is shown in advertising campaigns and also dealt in art galleries.

How do you feel about the way women are portrayed in media today?
Women portrayed in media today are shown as self-confident, sexy and cool. They are not just objects. Moreover they affect the way they are seen by the viewer. As the main subject of a picture they can show the viewer who they are: a self-confident and strong modern woman.

What do your photographs say about women?
I am a fan of strong, self-confident woman. I want to show their outer and inner beauty in my photos. It’s easy for me to work on projects with women, as I am a woman too. Therefore they are my preferred subjects. I know what woman like about their bodies and how they feel when posing in front of my camera. In my photos I want to show them as heroines that are both strong and sexy. A woman is never a sex object to me. Rather they are goddesses like Athene out of Greek mythology.

How do you distinguish between erotic art and pornography?
First I want to tell you that I am not a fan of pornography. In my mind pornography has to do with a discriminating, demeaning representation of women. In erotic art women are not just an object of nudity. They are part of an artistic statement in which their natural charisma plays a major role. I´m taking classical, timeless nude photos – not flashy ones.

What makes a good photographer? What makes a successful photographer? Are these the same or different?
In my opinion a good photographer is a person who has the ability to show their vision and feeling within their photos. They work independently from the point-of-view of third person, and try to publish new creations in which they show their own concept of beauty.

A successful photographer could be characterized as a person who has found their place in the public eye.

Sometimes a good photographer is a successful one. Sometimes a successful photographer is a good one. But both - good and successful, can exclude the other.

Sylvie, what inspires you?
I´m inspired by everything and every day. When I open my eyes in the morning I think of so many ideas and feelings that I want to bring into my photos. My whole life, I think in pictures. If I see a person, I always imagine how I would shoot their picture. It is my obsession and passion to tell stories with my camera and to find beautiful people who are part of my work.

Can you tell us a little about the camera equipment and lighting you use?
I work with digital and analog cameras. I do classical fine art photography and I also switch to modern equipment with digital high-tech style. I use HENSEL flashes and BRISE lightning.
I collect cameras e.g. Hasselblad, Rollei, Nikon, and Linhof. When I’m shooting I decide spontaneously which camera to use that day.

Any tips for young photographers who are just starting out?
Yes, my personal tips for young photographers who are just starting out are: just bring your feelings on the picture you are taking – no matter about the technical photograph background you have. Be critical with yourself and your work before bringing your pictures to the public. A bad picture will be remembered by a viewer for a long time. After this, it will take a lot of really good pictures to convince them otherwise.

For further information on Sylvie Blum, her work and current projects, please visit her website: www.sylvie-blum.com