he gets a lot of inspiration out of Youtube

We discovered him at a merchandising shoot for Acquo boots. Swedish photographer Joakim Fransson, who we like to introduce you a bit with this feature, is just 23 years old and told us, that he prefers using natural light, when he shoots portraits and also that he gets a lot of inspiration out of Youtube. Take a look at his photos and get some more info by reading our interview with him.

Joakim, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
Well my name is Joakim Fransson im 23 years old and i live in the beautiful country Sweden, which is known for many things like our 'absolut vodka', IKEA, swedish meatballs and much more! 
I'm raised and born in Sweden in a town called Östergötland Norrköping. As a kid, when i was in school, i didn't had the greatest life. A lot of people bullied me and hurted me really bad, so the school years really sucked! But times got much better in the meantime! 

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
Im working as a photographer/editor here in Norrköpings kommun since 3 years back, but i also work as a hobby-photographer/freelance photographer since 5 years back! 
I have not been involved in the arts in some form other then photography. I take pictures and that's what i love to do! 
 
Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
My creativity comes from other photographers such as Scott Kelby and Froknows photo, but the biggest of all time is Youtube! I get all my ideas and creativity from Youtube but also Google!

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
I think i got interested in photography when i first got my cellphone which had 8 megapixel. I took a lot of images with it and i also had some fun editing the pictures and then i remember i asked my parents to buy me a DSLR. So i bought my first DSLR camera Back in 2011. It was a Canon EOS 20D with a Canon EF 50mm 1.8 Lens. It had 8 megapixel and a small LCD screen, but i took a lot of images with that camera and i was like a kid on christmas, when i got it as a present from my parents!

But when i got better in photography, i sold it and upgraded to fullframe actually to be honest. I had a lot of cameras, the 20D, 40D, 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark III and 5D Mark II, but now i only own the Canon EOS 6D but i could really need another camera.

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your favorite lens?
I'm using a Canon EOS 6D at the moment with the Canon original Battery grip for the 6D. I can not use a Canon camera without a Battery grip!
And my favoruite lens right now, that i'm using a lot, is Tamrons new lens, the Tamron SP 85/1,8 Di VC USD. It's such a great lens for portrait! It's super sharp and produces really high quailty photos! 
 
Can you tell us about your work flow from the point until you showcase the developed picture?
When i work, i take a lot of time editing pictures. I really like to work with natural light since i don't have any lightning studio kits to work with outside except my speedlite flash and a small softbox, but i prefer using natural light, when i shoot portraits. When i work, i take a lot of time by editing my pictures really slow. I want everything to be perfect! I'm a perfectionist. I want everything to look good and not bad! I don't like to produce/upload bad images on internet. If i'm not good with a picture, then i delete it and start working on another picture until i'm satisfied with it. 

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?
I work on a PRO level as a photographer here in Sweden, but i don't see myself as a professional photographer. I'm not a PRO, but for my age i think im pretty good. That's, what my family and a lot of customers and friends have told me, but a real professional photographer have never told me, that i take bad images. But as i said, i don't see myself as a PRO. I only work on a PRO level. 

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
I have worked with a lot of friends and been shooting portraits for 5 years now and that's what i love to do and specialise in portraits. I love shoothing portraits! It's a great feeling, when you find a cute girl, that has a great face and a great outfit and you know, that you can take a really good picture of her!
I love working with new people as well i shoot mostly females then males, but i would like to shoot more males also.

Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
I don't have a funny moment or akward photography story at the moment, but who knows what the future will bring.

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
As a newcomer in photography, who wants to start, i would say, don't buy expensive cameras and gear in the start. Use, what you have and learn the settings and, when you have decided you want to upgrade, go for it! Im self educated. I took a lot of help from photography books in the library, but i also watched a lot of movies on youtube and read a lot of stuff on google so thats my tip, i can give to a newcomer, who wants to start out with photography!