New York Fashion Photographer Manny Roman – Exclusive Interview For NYC-Fashion

Today we introduce to you New York based Fashion Photographer Manny Roman.

Manny Roman is an international photographer based in New York. His portfolio reflects a career of 3 years and features a client list that includes well known models, magazines and personalities. Manny’s most known for his natural lighting photography and his sexy beach images. Since his move to New York in November 2009 his work has appeared in magazines such as Z!NK, Fantastics, OHLALA, MATTE, and Cosmopolitan. Manny’s more recent work include shooting Miss Universe 2010 Ximena’s Navarrete for Popular Hispanics and a cover and 8 page spread in HER WORLD Magazine featuring America’s Next Top Model cycle 14 winner Krista White. Raised in Miami until he was a teenager, Manny, 32, currently lives in New York City and divides his time throughout the year shooting on location between New York and Miami.

We seat down with Manny for an exclusive interview for NYC-Fashion.com Blog.

Here we go…

1. How did you become a fashion photographer, and what was your first break?
My interest in fashion photography began in 1996. I would shoot my then muses, Carol and Darlene Bernaola on the beaches of South Beach trying to remake images from Sports Illustrated Swimwear issues. I took those photos to an agent @ Michele Pommier Management and he liked them so much that he put me on the new faces testing board. The first new face he had me test was Elsa Benitez who is now Supermodel. Not bad for my first break huh =) After that I just kept studying and did shoots as a hobby. In 2008 is when I decided to pursue it as a career.

What’s your passion for photography?
The ability to create art.

2. How do you define your photography style?
Sexy

3. What are your main interests?
My main interests are to shoot for Sports Illustrated Swimwear issue and to be linked to lucrative advertising contracts.

4.What are some ways you think fashion photography has evolved and will evolve in the next decade?
Definitely thru photoshop. Technology will continue to be one of the main tools that will allow all photographers to take their images to the next level for many years to come.

5.What type of equipment you most like using?
I use Nikon and Canon SLR’s. Nothing fancy. I don’t come with all this equipment. A huge reflector that comes with silver, gold, and white sleeves to manipulate the lighting.

6. What is your favorite place to shot in New York?
I can’t say that I have a favorite place in New York. New York has so many different areas that allow you to feel as if you are in Italy, China, France, and Miami. Yes Miami… I can shoot on the beaches of Coney Island and still capture those sexy SI looks right here in NY.

7. Who are some of your favorite models and designers, you worked with?and why?
My favorite models are FRONT’S Beatrice Chirita, WILHELMINA’S Alexandra Elise, ELITE’S Elsa Benitez, ELITE’S Cindy Taylor, MAJOR’S Michele Graglia, NEXT’S Andrei Andrei, and MAJOR’S John Esposito. They really bring it and inspire me to shoot more !!! As far as designers I would have to say Surya Oliveira for SOFI Swimwear and Loris Diran. They both are so humble and they produce amazing work.

8. Which fashion magazines do you like to read?
V Man, French VOGUE, W, GQ, and ELLE.

9. What’s your fashion mantra?
My style is all about being comfortable. If I feel great in what I am wearing, that is all that matters.

10. Out of all of the projects, which is your favorite and why?
I don’t have a favorite… so far all of the projects I have worked on have been great.

11. What is fun and rewarding about fashion photography?
To be able to collaborate with other great artists and subjects to express a story that will last forever.

12. What do you dislike about fashion photography?
I don’t have any dislikes in regard to fashion photography.

13. What advice do you have for other aspiring fashion photographers?
Study, practice, and make it your own.

14. Who are some of your favorite fashion photographers?
Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Klein, Terry Richardson and Sante D’Orazio

15. What does fashion mean to you?
Whether you decide to wear Designer brands, Vintage pieces, or your own creations…. fashion enables us all to dress up and express ourselves thru our personal style.

16. What distinguishes a good model from a bad one?
A good model is always practicing and studying their craft to be able to sell their clients products. A bad model is one who only depends on their physical attributes and doesn’t convey what they were hired to do.

17. what’s inspires you in life as a person?
I am not so sure about “what”, however I can tell you that Women to me are inspiring in life. They are the one’s who make the decision to produce us for 9 months and give us the gift of life. I know that there are excellent Men out there as well, but I believe that many men don’t honor women as much as they should.

18. what’s the dream project you fantasize to do?
To photograph the Pirelli Calendar

19. thru out your photography career so far what is the best memory you have?
The best memories I have is working with my good friend Beatrice Chirita. We produce great images together, have great times, but more importantly we have developed a great bond together that will last a lifetime.

20. where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Living in Europe and hopefully retired.

Manny Roman is a talented photographer and visionary, he continue with creating amazing projects and we have no doubt we going to see more and more beautiful stuff coming our way.