A Load of Hot Air!

Take a balloon ride and see Ukraine from a different perspective

As one of the country’s most expensive photographers, and a favourite of Playboy, there isn’t much Oleksandr Morderer hasn’t seen. As such, it seemed quite natural for us to want to find out more about him. Unfortunately, a few years ago he suffered at the hands of a journalist who published some rather inaccurate information about the man. So while this sought after photographer was slightly reluctant to talk with us, we managed to win him over, and get the goods on his first earnings, who’s after the nudies and why he prefers to be behind the camera, rather than in front of it.

Oleksandr, your last name doesn’t have a very Ukrainian sound to it. What’s your background? 

The name comes from my father. But I'd prefer not to discuss my background.

When did you start to get into photography?

When I was in school, my parents gave me a film camera for which they paid 15 rubles; a pretty large sum at the time. To be able to operate and get pictures from it, however, I was also in need of a number of other items such as film, a fixer, etc. I didn’t have the necessary funds to be able to buy it all right away, so I would take photographs of the kids on the playground, have them developed and then sell them to the kids’ mothers for 20 kopecks. I don’t think I could have been called a professional at the time, but I was earning cash. Then in 1991, I started concentrating on photography more seriously, and since then, have been at it nonstop. 

Companies, magazines and celebrities alike seek out the opportunity to have themselves photographed by you and your name brand. It would seem then, that you’re running quite a successful company. Tell us, are you able to separate art from business in your photography?

I’m a commercial photographer; I don’t pretend to create art, so what I see as my responsibility is the creation of highly professional and good quality photographs, period. I don’t get this idea of ‘photoartist’, and to be honest, among commercial photographers, it often gets used as a swearword. When people interview me, one of the very last questions I’m often asked is whether I take photographs for myself, as if all of my other work-related photo projects are s**t. The answer I give them is this: everything I do, I do for myself.    

Photoshopping is big these days, and international glossies have begun noting when and if their cover models have been brushed up or not. This has yet to happen in Ukraine, however. What are your thoughts? 

I thought it was great to see Britney Spears’ before and after shots for Candies (fashion firm) this spring. I also loved seeing Monica Belucci in Dior’s advertising campaign promoting how good her lashes look with Photoshop as well as their mascara. So yes, I would love it if all magazines began incorporating this trend. The Mordererstudio, for example, always does its best to provide an honest picture. To this end, I can remember doing a shoot for Brocard one time where we were looking for a hand model. The girl we found had beautiful hands, it was her breast size that was unfortunately small. However, with the assistance of lighting and professional makeup artists, and without the use of Photoshop, we were able to achieve the look we wanted. 

Local celebs ONLY want to look idyllically glamorous, while Western trends promote trashy looks and urban culture. How do you feel about this?

It was definitely a problem a couple of years ago. Now, however, I think we’re coming out of this need for glam. While I can’t go into a whole lot of detail – I don’t talk about my business clients – Loboda wanted a totally trashy shoot from us. Andriy Danylko (commonly known as Verka Serdyuchka) has also appeared recently in Elle as himself. That would have been extraordinary for him, especially since so many people have got used to seeing him in Verka’s image. 

Have you done any photo sessions with local celebs prior their current fame and popularity? 

I did one for (local pop singer) Dasha Astafieva which was when she appeared in Playboy. 

What is your outlook on beauty: would you say that some people are just beautiful and some are not, or does an individual’s bad image translate back to a lack of professionalism from the photographer? 

There are no ugly people, everyone is beautiful; but there are some unphotogenic people. I’m all for natural beauty. Although I will say that breast implants, over natural breasts, do tend to make my job easier when it comes to a photo.

Speaking of breasts, you’ve done over fifteen covers for Playboy magazine. Do celebrities and editorial teams interfere in your work process? Or are you the only one responsible when it comes to the decision making?

Everyone wants to look good in the pictures they’re in. Therefore, if someone feels uncomfortable in a certain kind of makeup or wearing a particular piece of clothing, then of course we discuss the problem. If whatever idea we come up with is a good one, then of course we’ll use it. Now that we’ve been able to advance our name and our brand, however, it is rare that we will take on a job from a magazine. That is, unless the idea is an extremely good one, or there is a substantial amount of cash involved.  

Certainly men must envy you? You take nude photos with some of the hottest bodies around...

We work with cover models yes, but we also work with everyday people. And within our clientele, probably 50% of them are looking for a nude photo session. People tend to be a little more open when they know that their bodies are going to look good naked. 

How do you feel about being in front of the camera?

I don’t like myself in photos. I also don’t like to photograph relatives – you can never be objective. 

(P.S. Which is where, having come to the end of our interview, What’s On’s photographer Artem Myronenko got to take part in just that – a photo shoot of Oleksandr Morderer)

Ksenia Karpenko