About Mark Smilyanic
If you’re looking for some photography inspiration, here’s an interview of professional model photographer Mark Smilyanic.
Describing himself as “a 25 year old camera hauling parent disappointment, failed Law student and a successful portrait, fashion, and travel photographer/photo-retouching expert from Belgrade, Serbia”, he has quite an impressive portfolio.
He has gained expertise in fashion photography, portrait photography and adventure photography after a decade of experience in capturing people’s beauty. Read ahead as we interview him and learn more about his photography journey and get some photography tips from the seasoned professional model photographer.
Let’s Get Started
Q. Having worked with clients across 27 countries, including Russia, the USA, and Germany, how have these international experiences influenced your approach to photography and storytelling?
Answer. Hmmm, I’d say that each client brought something new to the table. Working in Russia, I would say, taught me boldness; mentoring and interacting with students from the USA showed me how important personal branding and recognizable styles are, especially in a saturated market, while working for a few German brands, I’ve come to appreciate punctuality and precision.
Still, I would say that every story and every person needs their own approach. It’s more often the background than a country of origin that shapes a person, and knowing how to adapt to people, and your clients, does make a difference in your day-to-day interactions.
Q. What was the turning point when you knew photography wasn’t just a hobby?
Answer. When I got paid my first 7$ for a nightlife gig :’D Jokes aside, the turning point was the moment I realized that I was risking my future (and with it – my family’s expectations) betting on something that was until that point just a “side thing.”
Leaving Law School to become a nightlife photographer, then later on, turning that into boudoir work, and nowadays education in the same field — wasn’t a move made lightly. Lots of sleepless nights went into what I call my career now.
When you feel acknowledged as an artist, when your art hangs on the walls of a private gallery, when photography starts making dreams come true, when it gets you in contact with your, up to that point, favorite people, when you have– “strangers” trusting you to shoot them in their most vulnerable forms —— that’s when I knew this was it.
Q. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of photography?
Lots of things! I am interested in aviation and flying, and have put lots of hours into studying in the field. Becoming a licensed pilot feels like the natural next adventure to me.
I am a certified Japanese speaker, and maybe or maybe not – secretly a raccoon (dark under-eye areas give me away probably)…Hmm what else…I am greatly interested in music, though I feel many people know that already. I play a few instruments and love to compose when free to. Aaaaand I love nuclear physics a lot, and science is where most of my spare time goes to.
Q. Facing skepticism from your family and society, how did you remain committed to your passion for photography, and what lessons did you learn during this period?
Answer. Staying committed to photography isn’t hard when you do it out of love, for art’s sake. And it’s important to continue loving it, so it doesn’t turn into a job only. Photography has been something that I’ve started as a hobby, and never intended to turn into a profession…However, when it did become a job – then you only have yourself to trust…And when you don’t trust yourself – you put even more work into it. With times changing fast in our field, it’s important to find your way to keep loving it, and I know it’s a big challenge to many of my colleagues.
Speaking of societal expectations — coming from a conservative country, choosing art over a “serious career” comes with its drawbacks…But then you also realize a country has no fence to keep one in (most don’t :’D). Working hard, improving my craft, and staying respectful toward my clients and my vision helped me prove my points. The biggest lesson? You owe yourself loyalty before anyone else.
Q. Are there any photography tips or tricks that you consistently use and find effective?
- Comfort beats technique — if your model feels great, the photo will feel great.
- Good light beats good gear, probably not a shocker.
- Editing is often where the real magic happens — don’t shoot lazy thinking you’ll “fix it later,” — but definitely master retouching and color grading. It elevates your work above the competition that owns the same gear you do.
Q. What does a perfect day off look like for you when you’re not holding a camera?
Answer. All my perfect days have been holding a camera :’D Sometimes it was in the backpack as I was too busy enjoying the moment, but it was always somewhere around, screaming to be used.
But if we’re really trying to look for those camera-free moments, then it is sitting somewhere random, with a dear friend, having a long walk, eating junk food, talking junk stuff…raccoon style. I tend to swap it for a restaurant experience sometime, as I love my fine dine, but really – perfect days are indeed simple affairs, spent with the dearest people that make those days perfect.
Q. Do you see AI tools as a threat to authentic photography, or do you view them as just another creative tool, like a camera or Photoshop?
Answer. It’s a bit too early to pass judgement on that. Certainly, some genres of photography will always remain relevant and authentic, the kinds that capture human emotion, moments, etc.
There, AI will always be just another tool, unless we’d start having robots going around our weddings and taking pictures.
You know, people were scared of Photoshop, too, back in the day. That makes me think AI is going to stay a tool in the hands of the creators. If you know who you are as a creator, as an artist, no tool will replace you.
If you don’t — well, that’s a different story. I have my fears about the industry, certainly, but I try to see how I can use the emerging technology, rather than crying in the corner about it. It’s here to stay. I don’t have to be a fan, but I know when and how it can save my time.
On the other hand — there are certainly fields such as advertising, where AI generative art would be good enough to most people, so they won’t hire photographers anymore.
It’s really still too early to know the definite answer to the question.
Q. If you had to describe your photography style in three words, what would they be and why?
Answer. Bold. Vibrant. Intimate?
It shouldn’t be up to me. I would love to hear what three words a reader of this interview would describe my work with! I bet it would be a whole vocabulary of both bad and good words!
Q. What do you feel is most misunderstood about being a professional photographer today?
Answer. Probably how little of it nowadays is just taking pictures.
In reality, it’s psychology, marketing, art direction, customer service, technical skills, editing…it’s a full-time hustle. I spend way more time doing emails, editing, and handling business overall than I ever do shooting. I’d love that to be different, to be honest. I hate to say, it is what it is. You either fight…or switch professions.
Q. With over 1,200 students attending your portrait photo editing course, what drives your passion for teaching?
Answer. I have the newest numbers, 2,500 people have attended my courses since I’ve started doing education! Teaching is a way to give back, to save someone years of trial and error. Plus, seeing someone improve because of a technique you developed, that you shared with someone — that’s one of the best feelings. I’ve started teaching 1:1 first and made some great friendships this way. Photography found many ways to give me back what I’ve put into it.
Q. Are there any upcoming projects that you are excited to share?
Answer. Hmmm…I always work on something and have tons of things to share on a daily basis. Behind the scenes, reels, etc. I post daily, and a lot is exciting if you love the kind of photography I am into. Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/mark_smilyanic/ and say hi!
Q. Where do you see yourself and your work five or ten years from now?
Answer. Hopefully flying my own plane to shoots instead of flying commercial 😀
I want to keep blending photography and travel — work with my team of girls, meet new muses somewhere warm, Thailand would be great — and help other weirdos like me find their voice, maybe have a little community, or an educational program. Gotta dream, gotta work on it.
Q. What advice would you give to photographers who want to start a career in photography?
Answer. Give it a go as a hobby before throwing yourself into it professionally. If you’ve never had a brush with photography as a business, it’s nice to dream big, but it takes a lot of work to succeed and position yourself out there, before it starts bringing in the cash.
Be a decent human being.
If you’re a guy, shooting boudoir — professionalism isn’t optional, it’s a requirement, and it’s survival. Make your models comfortable. Adore them through your craft, and don’t cross that line. Don’t ruin art for them, and for other decent people in the industry.
Don’t lose your love for the craft, also don’t just chase trends, don’t just chase money. Chase the feeling that made you pick up a camera in the first place.
Or if money is the only goal, and you don’t care about anything else, then don’t listen to me at all.
Q. What is your way of relaxing after a long day of photoshoots?
Answer. Wish I could answer this question honestly :’D God gave us two hands, one for petting kitties, the other – for holding ti….No no, scratch that, let’s go with the internet-friendly answer —
Good food, then a snack in bed, white sangria, having my cat at arm’s length, and my wife not too far, and a good show playing on our projector. Simple joys.
Or if I’m traveling — a visit to a night market, and driving my motorbike through the night.
Q. Lastly, what legacy do you hope to leave in the world of photography?
Answer. Legacy, no… I want people to see my work and go: “This guy knew how to live.”
I have no grand visions nor illusions to think something I do is legacy-material, here for the fun and games. If you wanna hang my fun and games in your gallery, I want to have a beer or two, or three with you. My legacy will be the friendships I made being who I am.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed reading and learning about professional model photographer/portrait photographer Mark Smilyanic.
He has gained expertise in these genres and has worked with many professional models around the world. If you want to professionally click modelling portfolios or are interested in indoor/outdoor portrait photography, this interview must have been a piece of immense knowledge for you.
Mark’s images have a charm to them and if you want to create such beautiful portrait photography, you should definitely work on the tips he has given from his professional model photographer career.
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