Lola Paprocka

Lola Paprocka is an autodidactic photographer based in London. Her work has been published in many contemporary anthologies – from Stay Young to Self Publish Be Happy and Vice – and she has exhibited in galleries across the world, from her native Poland to far-flung Hong Kong.

With careful composition that often conjures witty juxtapositions, Lola’s work focuses on the often overlooked curiosities of city and suburban life and the characters and scenarios she finds there. Her images have a quiet sensitivity and humility but are often humorous too, depicting unexpected things in beautiful ways.

When and why did you start shooting pictures?
I got an old Russian camera (Zenit) from my mum about three-and-a-half years ago when I was going to Australia for a few months. I had no idea how to use it so I just learnt by taking pictures. I have two amazing friends who supported my photography and pushed me to keep doing it. Since then I always have at least one camera on me every time I leave the house.

What is it you love about film photography?
I guess it’s a little bit more romantic than digital photography and you never know exactly what will come out when you develop the film. Some pictures turn out to be a disaster when you expect them to be good and the same with random ones that end up being your favourite from the whole film. It’s a lot to do with luck and being in the right place at the right time.

What are you passionate about – interests, hobbies outside of photography – and how does this inform the images you take?
I travel quite a lot and that’s always connected with my photography now. I think of a project I can work on while I’m away. Also working in tattoo shops and collecting tattoos has been an important part of my life; it’s a good subject for photography. I always take my camera to tattoo conventions. I am especially interested in older people with tattoos. I used to take pictures at hip hop nights and gigs. Music had massive impact on me through my teenage years. Also Spike Lee and Jim Jarmush movies. Now I focus more on documentary, landscape and architecture.

Who or what inspires your work? Any other photographers?
Wolfgang Tilmans, Joel Strenfeld, William Eggleston. Artists outside of photography like Spike Lee, Miranda July, Jim Jarmusch, writers like Milan Kundera, Henry Miller ,Patti Smith. People who inspire me in real life would be [photographer] Pani Paul – I ask him a million technical questions daily. Dawid Misiorny, a photographer and old friend who understands my thought process better than myself sometimes. Aga Jagustyn and Mike Bartz – both very creative; amazing curators and art directors.

What do you do for a living and how does photography fit into your life?
I run an independent clothing label, Mama’s Gun Co and I worked on the last look book in collaboration with Pani Paul. I work for tattoo artists Xam and Claudia Sabe selling prints, paintings and books. I also travel around Europe for tattoo conventions; this gives me great opportunities to take pictures of local scenes, architecture and different characters.

How do you share your work?
I took part in quite a few group exhibitions and made a zine last year. I got a few submissions online and in printed media. I’m curating my first book at the moment which includes my own work as well as four other photographers; Callum Paul, Lloyd Stubber, James Whineray and Pani Paul. The publication will be launched in Melbourne in January 2014. It’s the first time I’ve curated an entire launch/exhibition. It’s a bit scary but I have lovely people helping me out so I’m more excited than freaked out. After I get back from Australia I’m going to work on the exhibition/launch in London. I’m very sentimental so there’s usually a story behind my pictures but I still believe they should be interesting without knowing the story.

Are your photos staged/posed or documentary?
They are mainly documentary pictures. I used to shoot a lot more portraits but I really got into nature stuff after my last trip to Australia a year ago. I’m still learning and trying new things so I guess my style will keep changing.

You can see more of Lola’s work on her website.

Are you a film photography fan? To be considered for a slot on the Huck site, send a folio of 10 analogue images to hello@tcolondon.com using the subject line MY LIFE IN ANALOGUE.

Submissions made before December 20, 2013, will be entered into a competition to win a Lomography camera. See competition for further details.