Exclusively Fashion Magazine: Tell me a little about your journey as a fashion photographer from when you began until now?

Gustavo Lopez Manas: Originally, I was a comic illustrator, this was my passion. Living in the small city of Granada, this was quite limited. My dream was to move to Barcelona to study this. Once I arrived in Barcelona, I realized that working in this field would limit the creativity that I wanted to put into each drawing. This somehow led me to photography. I started as a fashion photographer 7 years ago. You will see a lot of my comic inspiration in my photos. In the past 7 years I have worked with many inspiring photographers & models which has taught me a lot. I continue to learn every day. This is one of the main reasons I love my job.

EFM: Where do you reside?

GLM: In Barcelona.  I live in a district called Gracia.  It’s a traditional district yet quite trendy with many bars, restaurants and olds markets. 

EFM: What is your typical day like?

GLM: Being a freelancer is perfect; I am very relaxed and love my lifestyle.   I really enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of Spain, which means that I sleep in, I take pride in good food for all meals and I enjoy the sun.  Working in my field allows a lot of versatility.  Because I’m a freelancer, I can work my own hours.  If I want I can spend all day at the beach, though its not uncommon to see me working at 3am.

EFM: What gives you inspiration?

GLM: When I was a child, the artistic styles of horror movies & comics really inspired me. I love how lighting, set presence, make up and acting could really set a scene.  I love how these styles can really change a persons emotions.  I wanted to see if this could be performed through still photography.  That is what gets me out of bed each day.

EFM: What do you do in your spare time?

GLM: My work is also my main interest, so in my spare time, I try to inspire myself. Most of my friends are artists so we share interests when together. I love watching good movies and looking at others´ work. I attend many exhibitions. Other than, I’m a typical guy; I go to the gym, hang out with my girlfriend and blow things up in Grand Theft Auto.

EFM: How do you prepare for a photo-shoot?

GLM: When preparing for a photo shoot, first I think about the brief then how my creativity is best suited. I then I share the idea with my team which includes stylists, make up and hair dressing personnel. We then work together with the same common goal.

EFM: Do you think that its´ hard to become a fashion photographer?

GLM: There are a lot of fashion photographers out there. I bring a very unique style to the images I produce. Anyone can be a photographer, though, some creativity is required. I think if you feel a passion for what you do, you will become and you will enjoy during the way.

EFM: What skills do you have to have in order to become a fashion photographer?

GLM: To study, learn and work with passion.

EFM: What is your favorite camera to use?

GLM: I don’t have any preference for the tools, the cameras are one important tool in our work but I prefer focus in another part of my process work like the light.

EFM:  Describe your style as a photographer?

GML: My different own way to see what around me is style; Alls photographers have their different way to see the world. What I did before photography is now base of what I do now but I try to change every days my vision about things.

EFM: What is the best thing you like about being a photographer?

GLM: Show to the people what my eyes see.

EFM: What would you consider your most favorite photo-shoot?

GLM: The photo shoot I considered one of my favorite big personal project is  Carmilla a photography book I published 1 year ago. The book is about one of the first novels of vampires, the book contains 50 photos that I retouched during two years and the photo-shoot was made in three days, it was an amazing experience for me and for my friends they help and support me at every moment, it’s been doing with real love.

EFM: In detail, can you give tips on how to take a great photo?

GLM: Always do what you really want and try new things in each project.

EFM: What advice can you give to aspiring photographers?

GLM: Don’t think about the end of the way or where it will be finished just do what you want and work a lot, everything comes.

 www.glm-studio.com