How did photography come into your life and was there a defining moment?
Photography was always somewhere around me, but there was one moment that really stands out. One summer, when I was around eighteen or nineteen, a group of friends and I spent a few days at a small cabin. One of them brought a camera and photographed everything. A week later he shared the pictures and I remember thinking how incredible it was to relive those moments through photographs. Not long after that, I came across a camera at a good price and bought it almost spontaneously. At first, photography was simply a way of remembering life and experiences more vividly. That was the starting point.

What inspires your approach to photography?
My approach has changed a lot since I first picked up a camera, but one thing has remained constant: my interest in people. I'm fascinated by individuality and by how identity expresses itself. Fashion is one way of doing that, but I'm equally interested in posture, emotion, movement and presence. How someone holds themselves can tell you just as much as what they're wearing. I think that's where my work sits — somewhere between fashion and human observation.

Where do you usually look for ideas?
I don't really have one specific source of inspiration. I try to place myself in environments that feel culturally stimulating. That might mean visiting exhibitions, attending events or exploring something I know very little about. I like being surprised. A lot of inspiration also comes from people. A good conversation can be just as inspiring as a piece of art. I love seeing what people are passionate about, whether that's photography, cooking, music or something completely unexpected.

What was your first photography job, and what did it teach you?
My first real photography job was in Melbourne. I had started assisting a photographer and became involved with a creative agency that was running a large model casting. My role was to photograph the Polaroids. More than a hundred people came through that day, so it was a real lesson in organisation, teamwork and efficiency. What surprised me most, though, was how important the human side of photography was. When you're photographing that many people, making someone feel comfortable in front of the camera becomes essential.That lesson has stayed with me ever since.

"A good conversation can be just as inspiring as a piece of art."

What was the concept behind Under Protection?
The starting point was simple: we were photographing raincoats. But I didn't want to think about the raincoat only in a literal sense. Instead, I started viewing it as a metaphor. Protection isn't just about staying dry — it's about what being protected allows you to do. That idea naturally connected to my interest in identity and self-expression. A raincoat protects you so you can continue doing your craft, pursuing your passion and expressing who you are, regardless of the conditions.

Why ballet?
The project was titled Under Protection, and I wanted to connect that idea to another creative discipline. Ballet felt like a natural fit. Dancers spend years developing their craft, but before they can perform, they still need to get to the studio. Just like musicians travelling to a venue or artists heading to their workspace, they need protection from the elements along the way. I didn't want the images to feel documentary or literal. Rather than showing someone walking through the rain, I wanted the story to be more symbolic. The contrast between technical rainwear and the elegance of ballet created an interesting tension. It brought together two worlds that don't normally meet, while still feeling completely connected.

How did the shoot evolve from idea to execution?
Every shoot changes once you're on set. The light might be different than expected, the colours in the room might shift the mood, or certain details might work better than you imagined. That's always part of the process. What was satisfying about this shoot was that the core idea remained intact. The ballet studio in Vasastan gave us exactly the atmosphere we needed, and Liepa brought a natural sense of movement and expression that fitted the concept perfectly. Conceptually, it stayed very close to what I had imagined from the beginning.

Finally, what's your go-to rainy day song?
Soldier On by The Temper Trap. It feels like a rainy day song in the best possible way.

Photography & Concept Kasper Jernhag
Talent: Liepa Mikaliunaite