Nasta Bazar and Dasha Churko are on the air. In the new episode of the podcast, we talked to the creative duo KANAPLEV+LEIDIK — famous photographers Julia and Jenia.
The recording was made on February 14, Valentine’s Day. However, it is important to remember that on this holiday, as well as other significant dates, is a time of increased domestic violence. That’s why on this day the One Billion Rising flash mob takes place all over the world, with more than 130 countries participating. In Belarus, this flash mob has been taking place since 2016. Nasta Bazar recalls: “And in 2020 we even danced it [a dance to a song dedicated to this problem] in the shopping mall ‘Stolitsa’.”
Julia and Jenia are both professional photographers.
“We are one organism,” says Julia. In addition, February 14 is a special date for them, because it was the day their relationship began 14 years ago.
Julia was born in Anapa, but before graduation she decided to leave. Her mother is Belarusian and her father is Estonian, so she was interested in the Academy of Arts in Minsk. Julia had been interested in photography since she was 9 years old, so she took a stack of printed photos and went to the Belarusian University, where the Department of TV Advertising and Photography had just opened. However, when she arrived, it turned out that in addition to photography, she had to pass drawing and painting. And Yulia couldn’t draw. But with great confidence, Julia decided it was worth a try. Her entrance exam artwork made the committee laugh. They went around, showed everyone Julia’s drawings, and added, “Would you like to see some rock painting?” But her photographs impressed the dean’s office. In the end, Julia’s talent earned her a passing grade and admission. She graduated from the academy, but not without difficulty. They tried to expel her twice. Mostly because Julia spoke straight and honestly, without pandering.
Jenia was born in Minsk. He got into photography by working as a gravestone sign maker. Later, he picked up a camera and soon found himself in the wedding photography business.
In the meantime, Julia worked as a waitress because creative projects did not provide a steady income. She was much loved by the local gangsters of the 90’s who frequented the restaurant where she worked. Because of Julia’s honesty and straightforwardness, qualities she maintained in every aspect of her life. And Jenia, despite his financial success, felt wedding photography fatigue.
It was during this time that they met. Jenia asked Julia to be his assistant. “That was the beginning of the end,” they laugh. Eventually, Jenia would end his career in wedding photography to find himself with Julia in advertising projects and beyond. As they worked together, Julia was unwavering in her honesty — not afraid to tell clients the truth as she saw it: “I saw people hating each other. There was no love [why are you getting married?]”.
Why do they work together? Because it’s important to look at the shot from different angles. Jenia is more responsible for the technical part and Julia creates “that” shot.
But there were cases when clients did not like Julia’s straightforwardness and asked Jenia to come “only without her”. One of such episodes is connected with Max Korzh.
“I understand him, he is such an alpha male, and here is some girl…” — Julia remembers. “Alpha female…” — Nasta adds with a smile. “…Yeah, says something, tries to put on music he doesn’t like. Well, no. That’s not dude style. At first it was painful, but then I realized that Max Korzh is a man-magnet, for me he is interesting as a person. It was very exciting for me to be close to his energy, to understand how things work. It’s very exciting to see it from the outside. And I said, ‘Jenia, go there and tell me about it. After all, it’s a story about how this poopie allowed you to get close to him’.”
Now Julia and Jenia are hosting an author program on YouTube – “Without Retouching“.
Which one is “better” professionally? Jenia answers without hesitation: Julia is better. And with a smile he adds: “I’ve decided to take on the role of ‘henpecked’ – it is very comfortable. Questions are closed. You can be both top and bottom, as you wish. And everybody is happy and content. Because you can’t avoid arguments. It’s time to give in”.
But what does it mean? After all, the word was once considered derogatory. “I think it’s a very sexist term that we’re deliberately reversing. But it is the ability to hear your partner and to be in harmony in some way. That’s what it is. It’s not like, ‘If I’m stronger, I’m right.’ Like the status quo. No, it doesn’t work that way. We started with [the subject of] violence. Why does violence happen? Is it because it’s some kind of evil power? If a woman had as much power, it would be different, in the opposite direction,” says Jenia.
How do people react to their relationship? Julia and Jenia could not give a clear answer. The main thing is their inner harmony, not the opinion of others.
Julia believes that it is important to realize that it is possible to be weak. The stereotype “I am the strongest, I have to solve everything” is an obstacle, as well as the desire for such models. When a child is born, he learns to perceive the world, and it is important to teach him the ability to feel himself.
When they disagreed artistically, they used to argue, but they were able to find common ground.
Julia concludes that the problem is that we are not taught from childhood to feel ourselves. People cling to imposed patterns and then realize that the person next to them is not the one they were looking for. We don’t always know what we like, what we want. And that’s the problem. If you’re not in tune with yourself, how can you understand the other person?
There is a peculiarity in their relationship: they have two children, but the eldest son was not born to Julia. But she raised him and brought him up. Her relationship with Jenia began when the baby was six months old. Julia did not hesitate and agreed to be with Jenia, because love is the acceptance of a person as a whole, including his children. Also, Jenia and Julia now have a daughter. In raising their children, they emphasize the importance of self-discovery and the ability to feel oneself.
At the same time, they have different hobbies. Julia loves Belarusian culture, traditions and likes to visit flea markets. They also enjoy spending time together. Board games have become one of the family’s favorite pastimes.
In the family, Jenia cooks and Julia does the shopping. The reason is simple – Jenia does it better. But everyone does the dishes. And the problem of sharing responsibilities in their family is easily solved: if something needs to be done, they just do it, without any rigid division of roles.
How does society perceive them, given their unconventional approach to life? They don’t feel special. Jenia and Julia can change clothes, experiment with style, do not follow strict norms — “according to standards”. The main thing is to be yourself, not to follow someone else’s expectations.
In conclusion, Julia noted that Belarusians have a peculiarity – the desire to “keep a low profile”. They often underestimate themselves.
“I would like to say once again that I want Belarusians to believe in their strength, in their sincerity. I’d like to say once again that Belarusians are cool. It’s very important that they work through it. They should go to the mirror and say: ‘I am cool’. I know that cool people work in taxis, clean houses and toilets. Please, it’s very important to keep our little nation alive. I know it is. Our nation is very shy, very modest. Don’t forget yourselves.”
