by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 30st of September 2024

Normunds Kaprano has a special and unique way of sharing his storytelling images with us. Dance photography, children's photography and portraiture all bear his stamp. He also enjoys nude photography, especially with 'rounder' women, which is a real challenge. Sometimes he is also in the mood for still life. In short, a versatile but modest artist. I would like to invite you to get to know Normunds a little better through this interview.

'Duplication'

Dear Normunds, first of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! Please introduce yourself.
My name is Normunds Kaprano, born in 1963.
I come from the seaside town of Liepāja in the southwest of Latvia.

When and how did you begin your career as a photographer?
It seems that the passion to observe the world through the lens of a camera has always been there - first in the eyes of a boy and later in the heart of a mature man. As a child, developing pictures with his father in the kitchen, wrapped in sheets and red light, the little boy could not have imagined that the camera would become his most grateful companion and the works he saw would become art.

For many of us, photography is a hobby or a way of life. How would you describe your relationship to photography?
I don't see myself as a professional. There are things I still need to learn. That's what I'm striving for. I have a passion for both nature and people. I challenge myself to find my own signature, while sticking to classical values.
I have been awarded prizes in photography competitions, such as Kurzeme Photo Day - Photography Award of the Year (2nd place, 2019), international art photography competitions:2020- FIAP Silver Medal , 2020-IS Silver Medal, 2021-IAAP Gold Medal,2022-FIAP Silver Medal, 2023-PSA Gold Medal, PHOTOLIFE Bronze Medal, FIAP Bronze Medal.2024- PHOTOLIFE-Bronze Medal, CPLA-Bronze Medal, APG-Silver Medal, UAFM-Silver Medal, CIDPC-GPU-Silver Medal, IS-Bronze Medal, SONY Award "SIGN OF THE TIMES" etc.
But I can't imagine myself without a camera .

What would you say has been the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?
Every time I take a photograph, it's a different experience. I also try to find something unusual in the post-processing.

'People in the woods'

'Ballerina'

Describe your general view of photography.
I am passionate about both nature and portraiture. I draw inspiration from within and am challenged to find my own signature. I love nude photography, but with round women and that is a challenge.

'Meeting'

'To the sauna'

'White mask'

Your dance and children photos and portraits have great mood and composition! What is your secret and why are you so attracted to this type of photography?
Yes, children are very interesting to work with. They have this naturalness, this sincerity that is no longer there in adults.  When they want to be photographed, they try so hard and don't lie.     

'At the window'

'greeting'

I had the chance to photograph little ballerinas. It's touching how they try to do everything. I want to show their photographs in a different way, with a different photographic frame.

'Ballerina 4'

'Ballerina 2'
 

I like to play with light.  I like to make brushes of light.

'Ballerina 5'

'Silence 2'

I like to take black and white pictures. I think the play of shadow and light expresses more than the model.

'Silence'

'vigrinājums'

What do you think are the key characteristics of a successful dance, children's and portrait photographer?
I think the key is to make contact. If the child or model trusts you, you will get good pictures. And sometimes it's very long work.

Could you tell us more about your working process from idea to final product?
I love old houses, ruins. I had a solo exhibition in an old, half-ruined pub. I like to photograph there. When I find a half-ruined house, I immediately think of a project. Then I look for a person to photograph there.    

'Dance on the stairs'

'gas'

'white sheep'

'dancer'

Where do you find inspiration for the visual stories you want to tell? What inspires you?
Inspiration usually comes out of the blue, if there's no inspiration you don't usually get a nice photo shoot, but quite often when you start telling a story inspiration comes and then it all comes together. Sometimes I really want to shoot still life. When the mood strikes.

'Spring flowers in the window'

I see my family and loved ones everywhere I go, and I see everything in my mind through the lens of my camera.


Many people think that if you have a passion for photography, the equipment doesn't matter much. But please tell us what equipment do you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
Yes, basically, but I always wanted something better. (What soldier doesn't want to be a general?)
I started with a Canon 80 and slowly bought something newer, now I have a Canon R6, same with lenses, over time I have bought tripods, filters and other necessities, of course photography is an expensive pleasure, but all hobbies are expensive!

What is your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.
It's a picture of a model with a non-standard height, because I think in these times people are denigrating people who are strange, who think and feel differently, from the beginning it was hard for her to take photos of herself, but when the first photos came out she didn't bother any more and she waited for me to come out, so we can make a lot of stories together.

'amazon'

In general, I love all my photos, because every picture has a story behind it.

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?
Oh, I have many photographers I have learnt from and admired! For example - G.Binde, A.Apsenieks, E.Kapša, G.Kopštāls, who encouraged me to send pictures to competitions, etc.

Now that we are almost at the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about your future plans or photographic projects that you would like to take part in.
Yes, there are many ideas, I would like to have exhibitions abroad, publish a book, etc.
Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a base for your work?
I like 1X because I can see what others like or dislike about my photography. Also to see and learn from other people's work.

'Boot'