“From a stock photo perspective, we can help push people’s perception of equality, gender roles, diversity etc in the right direction through breaking norms in our imagery.”
Meet the Contributor: MASKOT
Sitting down with Mattias Drotte from Sweden’s creative agency, MASKOT, we learn about both his personal, and the agency’s inspirations and values.
Taking pride in their beautiful, artistic and documentative royalty free photography, at the core of the leading creative photography agency lies their unwavering commitment to create connections. Upholding this strong belief in people and relationships through their indisputably inclusive photography they are not only producing beautiful photography, but are daring to think critically about socio-political norms.
Let’s kick off, how did you get started in photography and why?
Ever since I got my hands on the family camera, and my mother thought that I had a talent in photography (like any mother would but I bought it), I have been interested in photography and have later been striving towards a life working with images. And it is more or less the same for my co-founder Per.
What was your first experience with a camera?
“Borrowing” the family camera when 5-6 years.
What five words describe your photographic style or captured message?
Maskot’s style, which has consciously or unconsciously evolved into what it is today, comes from what we love with photography and that is: people, documentary style, believable, moving and current.
“People, documentary style, believable, moving and current.”
What is the best element about being a photographer, and most challenging?
In our field of photography it is that we can make a living from something we love doing, something that we think is creative and fun (almost) every day. A little bit like the kid wanting to become a professional dancer/ball player – to be able to work with your hobby.
To you, what is the role photography has in the world?
From a stock photo perspective, we can help push people’s perception of equality, gender roles, diversity etc. in the right direction through breaking norms in our imagery.
What one important lesson has your work taught you?
We will always make mistakes when shooting and that we should not feel downhearted when a shoot is not exactly as we wanted it to be – because in our heads, it will never.
What is currently really getting you frustrated or annoyed?
Nothing, I am not too much in to frustration and annoyance.
If you could photograph any historical event, what would it be and why?
The moment when someone invented the wheel. Because it would be extremely interesting to see how the world was at that time and to capture the facial expression of the inventor when she saw that it worked.
What does success look like to you?
To be satisfied with what you have if you are in a good place in life.
What’s your go-to album to listen to when you’re working right now?
Flaoua Paoua by Panda da Panda.
Photo: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOTPhoto: IMAGO / MASKOT
Voriger
Nächster
MASKOT is Sweden’s leading image agency and independent producer of Swedish royalty – free images. Browse their photography via IMAGO or visit their Website and Instagram.