Get to know Polish photographer Adrianna who shares a self-portrait series with us and tells us about her favourite childhood memory and what life has taught her recently.
Adrianna, tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up…
Talking about yourself is not easy! Okay! So….I grew up in a small town in a block. We all knew each other. I spent time with friends every day. Photography has been with me for 15 years now. I grew up in a place that taught me a lot, how to appreciate life, how to be happy, how to love others, how to have respect for others. I always tried to be independent, from a place, from people, until I met Michael. The man who made me want to be dependent! :) I love to sing , I always turn on the music after a hard day and sing until I feel like I’ve returned to a state where I leave problems aside. Everyone needs a reset – this is my way that works!
“I grew up in a place that taught me a lot, how to appreciate life, how to be happy, how to love others, how to have respect for others.”
Can you tell us more about this self-portrait series:
Nature. There is no thread bringing more happiness than lying carelessly on the grass. Those eucalyptus leaves make the human body connect. I chose this because this plant is magical for me. It looks phenomenal and its smell is the freshest smell I know. The smells remind us of wonderful moments and people we love. The palm on my back is my little sign of hope and survival despite the weakness we have. In the pictures I tried to render the beauty of this plant in contrast to the human body.
What is your most beloved childhood memory?
I love fishing, I know it’s not very feminine, but I like the peace and quiet of the water. My wooden house by the lake and a boat, there is nothing more pleasant than spending time there. The memory of lovely travels on a motorcycle with my wonderful grandfather. The wind in my hair racing like trains and constant laughter. I can still hear it today. The best teacher on how to fish well is him …. forever…!
We are going through hard times right now. What has life taught you recently?
In this difficult time, life has shown me what kind of life I have really chosen with whom and where. Daily duties and work make it very rare for us to see people close to us, we do not have to deal with them. This time it was different, being with who we really are around the clock. I have learned a lot about understanding Michael. I saw how life can be perverse and fragile. One day and everything starts to have a different meaning. Terrifying but I am also very happy that life wrote such a script and I “had” to enjoy many hours with family!
“In this difficult time, life has shown me what kind of life I have really chosen with whom and where.”
Is it more important to love or be loved?
I think these two issues are very important, being loved without loving loses its meaning as much as loving and not being loved… I think that not everyone is so lucky to have these two things at the same time and above all to have each other. Being loved gives meaning to life, it is the case that the other person crosses his/her boundaries to show unique feelings. To love someone inside yourself is not difficult … It is harder to appreciate it and not hurt. To love your other half is to accept and praise every part of their body and mind. Love is the most important feeling in the world … it is magic !
When you close your eyes what do you see?
Mountains and swimming pool on Lake Como in Italy. I keep coming back there with my thoughts, it was a time full of peace, rest and love. Music in my ears, good food, wine, water drops flowing down the glass, orange sun and hair strands flying in the wind.