Interviewed by Brady Goodman-Williams

When we imagine editorial and celebrity photo shoots, we think of high intensity, glamour, and many moving pieces. Makeup, hair, and fashion stylists run around with urgency, all under the auspices of a demanding photographer. However, after seeing one special photographer on set with Nigel Barker, Carol Alt, Irina Pantaeva, and Iris Apfel, I can attest that Vital Agibalow truly breaks the mold. As he worked the camera in quick bursts of intensity, he never wiped the professional, yet inviting, half-smile from his face — and the effects were visible. Most of us hesitate in the face of fame, but Vital’s lighthearted and sensitive demeanor allowed his subjects to open up in ways I had never previously seen. The result? Portraits of each subject’s inner being — comfortable, raw, and vulnerable. I sat down with Vital to learn some more about him and his work.

WILLIAMS: Where are you from? How did you become a photographer?

AGIBALOW: I’m New York-based, but my roots are in Sweden, Russia, and Ukraine. When I was 7, my dad gave me my first camera as a birthday present — a Zenith. I fell in love with it. I started taking portraits of

the other kids in my neighborhood. There’s something about portrait photography that has clearly inspired me since an early age. By 20, I had started working with local modeling agencies, and I opened my own business when I was 21.

WILLIAMS: How has your photography changed since then?

AGIBALOW: Those were the film days. As a photographer, you couldn’t afford to make a mistake back then.

Now everyone shoots digital, so you can see the shot on display, which makes it all so much easier. But I’m proud to say that I started as a film photographer.

WILLIAMS: Why does your background in film matter?

AGIBALOW: Well, it builds credibility. It makes me more professional than any newbie these days who starts with a digital camera and doesn’t know what it means to shoot slides. You have to be much more accurate when doing so, and this skill enhances my digital photography.

WILLIAMS: So I know you love portraits. Why is this your favorite genre?

AGIBALOW: I love working with people and seeing their reaction when they see themselves, sometimes in a whole new way. Bringing out a person’s beauty and charm results in much joy to my subjects and their families. But I do also work with fashion designers, which is a whole different world!

Right now, because of word of mouth, I have been doing a lot of physicians’ portraits.

WILLIAMS: Who was the most challenging designer to shoot?

AGIBALOW: Probably shooting Karl Lagerfeld. Our time in the studio was limited to only 30 minutes,

which is a photographer’s worst nightmare! But the resulting portraits from the shoot were so good. He

really liked the images, which is huge since he was a photographer himself. My portrait of Karl was published in BELLA magazine and many others, so the hard work paid off.

WILLIAMS: So changing gears a little bit. Do you have any recommendations for others interested in pursuing a career like yours?

AGIBALOW: Do it only if you really enjoy it. Don’t do it for the money, but for the art. You’d be shocked how

much money you can make when you prioritize the art first.

WILLIAMS: That’s great advice. So what new projects are you working on right now? Where can I see your

work?

AGIBALOW: Most recently, I worked with the legendary supermodel Carol Alt for her new show on FNL Network, Carol Alt’s Living Room. But there are some other interesting side projects! Lately I’ve been working with beauty and fashion bloggers like Kate Romanoff.

WILLIAMS: You have a brand partnership with HENSEL, right? Tell me a little about that.

AGIBALOW: HENSEL is a German brand that produces professional lights for photographers. I’ve been

the brand ambassador for this company since 2008. I’m using their lights on each and every shoot and I’m proud to promote them in my studio and through my work.

Follow Vital @vitalphotonyc

instagram.com/VITALphotoNYC

YouTube.com/VITALPHOTO