Get to Know Artist Evan Batky!

Evan Batky is a photographer based in Geneva, Switzerland. He has dedicated his time to shooting portraits in the beautiful landscapes across Europe, most notably their Mountains. Evan has recently started booking weddings to expand his photography skillset. His signature work focuses on people in beautiful destinations showing off the beauty of our natural world. Along with following him on his Instagram, check out his work at www.evanbatky.com

Tell us a little bit about how you got into photography. How long have you been shooting?

I got into photography about 5 years ago. The majority of my friends had cameras and we would venture into the mountains to take photos for fun. I remember a friend asked me to take her portraits– this started my love for photos of people, and not just landscapes. Things just grew from there, I reached out to new creators and kept connecting with more of the photography community.

What kind of messages or emotions are you trying to convey with your work?

I want all of my photos to convey a sense of beauty and awe. A goal of mine is to motivate people to go outside and try to catch sunrise / sunsets in the mountains. I love stopping myself when looking through photos because something is so stunning that I have to go back and look closer. That is what I aim for with all of my photos.

Explain your journey with photography. Has everything gone according to plan?

My journey with photography has been incredible. Honestly when I first started, I didn't have many expectations for how far I wanted to take this. As I progressed I thought like, "It'd be cool to be paid for a shoot" then it would happen and it would just be a fulfilling feeling for achieving my goal. Now I just set harder goals for myself and strive to complete them. 

How important is it for a photographer to “connect” with his subjects to bring out their true self?

Extremely important! If your model isn't comfortable around you while you’re shooting, none of the photos will turn out well. You need to become friends with everyone you shoot with, this will dramatically improve photos from the set. 

What’s your favorite lens? Why?

Most of my photos over the last year have been taken with a 16-35mm f/2.8 lens. It’s just amazing for capturing as much scenery as possible. When zoomed to 35mm the focal length is usually enough for me. Overall it's a versatile lens and fits my style perfectly.

Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful photo. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

I do as much research as I can on a few weather app and locations before a shoot. In the end, you just have to adapt to the circumstance.

Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?

Before photography I dedicated most of my time to parkour. I trained everyday and also coached. That was my passion and what I wanted to do with my life. Then I had to have knee surgery after an injury. My career in parkour was over and I had to figure out what to do next. I had always taken photos for fun my whole life, so I took photography more seriously and then everything just kept unfolding. If you want to see some of my old parkour videos, feel free to check out @batkyevan on Instagram for examples!

What goes into being a professional photographer?

More than anyone thinks. You have to expect companies to say no, or just not respond to emails. You can’t be afraid of rejection! Sometimes clients can be hard to work with and break their contracts. Sometimes, your craft will be taken advantage of. It's way more work than most people think, and it can be overwhelming at times.

What message or advice do you have for young creatives just starting out? Any advice for seasoned creators?

I think there's a lot of voices out there telling young creatives to be original and do something different. This isn't a bad message but I think when you're still a beginner it’s okay to recreate images that inspire you. This way you have a baseline for learning. In this process you will find your own style. For those seasoned shooters, don't waste your time shooting when the conditions are bad. I used to think it's better to shoot with as many people and as often as possible. It's more productive to take better photos in the conditions you prefer and with people you work well with. Take better photos not more photos. In the end, focus on your photos and nothing else. Don't waste your time and know your worth. Don't try and make money or be famous, if that's your goal going into this, you've already failed.

What have you done recently to better yourself as a photographer?

I constantly go back and re-edit old photos. It's a great way to see how you've improved and see what mistakes you use to make that you can now fix.

What are some of your favorite commissions to date, and who would you love to work with?

Working with Sixt in Tenerife has been my favorite job so far. We got a super nice car to explore the island. Driving around with the roof down in the sun is one of my favorite summer memories. In the future I'd love to work with some more outdoor/camping companies like Marmot, Woolrich, or Fjallraven. I prioritize working for companies that I have no problem supporting and posting photos of their product on my website and Instagram.

When shooting, are you meticulously detailed or do you go with the flow?

Depends on the shoot. Sometimes I have all the details worked out in my mind before hand. I know the location well, where the sun will be, the colors, etc... in those situations I know exactly what I want to produce. Other times, especially in new places I'm forced to go with the flow. Both work equally well, and I always find a way to produce great photos.

In what way can artists become agents of change? - Do you see this concept shine through in your work?

I think that we can try our best to use photography to be voices for what we care about. I hope that I can capture the beauty of nature and inspire more people to go outside and appreciate our world.

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