Vitali Gelwich, millennium, sex, fashion, bodies and portraits. His photography says metropolis and screams Berlin. Producing images of the presence and city-states, he captures youth-scenes in his studio-apartment. Gelwich is workaholic and networker. He is gathering new cool kids from around the capitals and is making them stay. We talked to INDIE’s Photographer to Watch about nice cars, bonding with models and russian fashion.
What is it like being a photographer in Berlin right now?
Dunno, I drive a nice car and everyone loves me. It’s good for me!
You are more the studio kind of photographer. If you could chose one outside location what would it be?
Something freaky would be dope. Somewhere in South America in the middle of a MS13 Mob ?!?!
Would your work be the same without social media?
No it absolutely wouldn’t. It probably would get better because you would need to produce insane stuff if you would want to keep everything going. And not fill your channels with senseless stuff.
In your photography it always seems like you have a special bond to your model. Would you shoot someone you don’t like?
Hmm if it’s a job: sure, than I get paid but I don’t shoot people I don’t like. Of course sometimes you only see on set if you like someone and than you can’t change the situation. But if I don’t like someone I don’t shoot him basically.It just wouldnt feel right. Doing a photo that isn’t commissioned is pretty much personal.
You kind of have a crew, hanging around with the Berlin cool kids. How important are contacts for a photographer?
Let’s say: I know a lot of people but I don’t hang around a lot. I’m basically 24/7 at the studio. Happy if I sometimes just hang around. People don’t really know what I basically do all the time until they worked with me. Hahah.
Well it’s not only important for my job contacts. They are important, sure, but more important is to deliver shit. You can know everyone if you suck at delivering a good product everyone is happy with you sucking.
You are also really into fashion yourself, working with TSKR and mainly doing jobs for fashion magazines, can you describe your style?
That’s easy, let’s say it like this: Basically I always walk around with a pair of leggings, hoody, cap and bomberjacket. Adidas on my feet. BIG THX out to the adidasfamily for always showing love. All black, it’s just easier to wash and always looks convenient. Saves time and you don’t need to combine shit. Everything just suits.
You were born in Russia but raised in Germany – what do you think of this youth-fashion-development in Russia which is going on at the moment?
I’m not so good at fashionnews but I think the developement is going on in Europe not in Russia. What’s happening there is for Russians absolutely reality. The people there walked around for ages like that – it’s nothing special.
It’s becoming special to walk around like that in Europe. I like it but still it’s pretty stupid because why people walk around like that is because it’s cheep and the people are poor. This is becoming trendy. Little contradictive. Still I like it.
What would be the soundtrack of your Berlin life?
Hmm divers. I think for every part of my life in Berlin it would be another one. Right now it would be Future (Thought it was a drought).
For more Vitali Gelwich photography head over to his website and Instagram.
Words by Nele Tüch