Kairo Kay
Kairo Kay
Photographer Kairo Kai speaks with FuzionEight about the experience of working with us alongside Maddie Sellers, and their practice.
I loved working with you, Maddie and the rest of the team!
I loved working with you, Maddie and the rest of the team!
“Collaboration in my work means everything and it’s the main reason I do photography: when I take photos of people it’s not just about the outcome, for me it’s about the relationships I build with the person. Whether in front of or behind the camera, I love getting to know the person and creating magic together.”
I see you shoot a lot of your work through film / analogue photography. What attracted you most to this particular way of shooting?
I started shooting at fourteen when I first picked up a digital camera. Later on, throughout the years, I noticed that my favourite photographers would often shoot on film so I decided to give it a go and haven’t looked back since. I love film photography because it gives me the chance to fully understand and study the frame. It is limiting but also limitless in its own ways. I also think it’s a much more romantic way of shooting - if you’ve been inside a darkroom you’ll know what I mean. The tactile side of photography is something I really love because I enjoy getting my hands on my work instead of just editing the photographs through a computer screen.
I started shooting at fourteen when I first picked up a digital camera. Later on, throughout the years, I noticed that my favourite photographers would often shoot on film so I decided to give it a go and haven’t looked back since. I love film photography because it gives me the chance to fully understand and study the frame. It is limiting but also limitless in its own ways. I also think it’s a much more romantic way of shooting - if you’ve been inside a darkroom you’ll know what I mean. The tactile side of photography is something I really love because I enjoy getting my hands on my work instead of just editing the photographs through a computer screen.
“Spending time in a confined space helped me realise things about myself and my practice that I didn’t know. Now I like taking my time when creating photographs, I also use photography as a way of getting to know people and myself more”
Tell me a bit about how you came to discover your love of photography, and what it has meant for you.
I come from a very small town in Northern Italy which meant that, growing up, we didn’t really have much to do. When I was around twelve, I went to my best friend’s house one day and she let me try her digital camera. I instantly fell in love with it — since then, photography has given me a reason to look at things with more attention and care. I always carry a camera wherever I go because I’m terrified of forgetting the best moments of my life. Photography means everything for me because it’s a tool I use to communicate how I feel and how I see the world.
I actually found you through TikTok! How do you think the insane rise of this platform has influenced creatives such as yourself?
TikTok has been amazing at showcasing emerging talent and helping creatives connect with each other! I think at the start of the pandemic everyone thought it was a joke, but as time went on attention shifted from apps like Facebook and Instagram to TikTok. I think this really helped me find creative ways of sharing my work online and produce something every day. Because organic reach is so great on the app, even by posting a simple video you can get lots of engagement. This has helped me massively with connecting with creatives like you and others!
Finally, what does the future hold in store for you?
More work! More portraits! More trips around the world and connecting with musicians, make up artists, and creative directors like you. I wanna shoot Tierra Whack for a cover magazine and follow artists like A$AP Rocky, SZA and Frank Ocean (if he will ever go) on tour. I love blending music, fashion and personal stories together. I want to accomplish all of these things in less than five years from now so stay tuned!