Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about where you are from.

Hello everyone, I'm Bartek Walczuk, and I hail from the city of Warsaw. I'm a proud father and a creative director with a deep passion for design and typography. Alongside my fiancé, I co-manage our own studio, Osom Studios, where we specialize in crafting compelling communication and design solutions for both brands and individuals.

Photography has been a constant companion on my life's journey, thanks to my father, who is a journalist and a photographer. Whether during my tenure as an art director and creative director in advertising agencies or in my current role at our studio, I've consistently integrated photography into my work. This includes collaborating with other talented photographers or capturing images myself.

What do you find most captivating about living in Warsaw, and how has the city evolved during your time there?

Lord, where should I begin? Warsaw holds a special place in my heart as my hometown, and from all the memories I have from there. I remember the post-socialist era, the vibrant 2000s, our relentless pursuit of modernity, and the current state of affairs, with a right-wing government fostering negative societal trends. It's important to note that this issue extends beyond Warsaw; it's a concern throughout Poland. However, I believe that the collective history of a nation that endured near-destruction during the war, with Warsaw as its symbol, resonates with people from other Polish cities.

Beyond its historical significance, Warsaw is a beautiful mosaic of restoration, new construction, and contemporary development. It's a city painted with a diverse palette of architectural styles, housing vibrant and distinct cultures in every neighborhood. In fact, you'll find places within Warsaw that could effortlessly blend into the fabric of many other modern European cities.

Tell me about your introduction to photography or where it all began for you?

I got into photography because of my father. He once worked as an automotive journalist. Besides testing a plethora of cars, he also covered and documented car races in Poland. I vividly remember attending a few of those races together. Yashica cameras and cars have been a part of my life for as long as I can recall. Perhaps it's due to this early exposure that I made the decision to obtain my driver's license this year.

Why do you think photography is important and what are your goals for being a photographer?

I believe that photography, much like music, has the power to evoke a variety of emotions. Music has been a constant presence in my life, and I can't recall a single day without it. Documentary photography captures the raw essence of life, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the world. Photographs of our children become cherished memories that stay with us, growing in value over time. Fashion photography transports us to a fantastical and eccentric universe, among other things. Regardless of our personal preferences, each of these forms of photography has the ability to elicit a wide range of emotions, making it a valuable part of life.

Personally, I am drawn to photography for the unique atmosphere and vibrant colors it can create. While I admire epic documentary-style shots, I'm not a fan of the rush and waiting required to capture that perfect moment in seconds. Instead, I find solace in the meticulous process of creating clean and colorful images, with a pace that allows me to savor each majestic frame. Occasionally, I opt for simplicity, such as capturing a serene drone shot of a boat against the backdrop of a perfect shade of blue, meticulously polished during post-production. However, every now and then, my curiosity leads me to discover a remarkable moment or scene, and in those instances, I’m always super proud of myself(accompanied by hearty laughter).

Where do you find inspiration and what are some things that influence your work?

We endeavor to travel extensively, prioritizing traditional vacation experiences over work-related trips, enabling us to truly immerse ourselves in the destinations we explore. Nevertheless, on many occasions, I find myself resembling my father, donning a camera even by the poolside. While this might not be the most original approach, it proves effective. I find inspiration in these moments with my family.

I've never vocalized it, but I suspect my affinity for the sun profoundly influences me. I adore it, be it during the winter or summer, as it consistently stirs a creative impulse within me, compelling me to capture the world through the lens or simply to carry my camera with me.

My involvement with photography takes on various forms. Sometimes, I embark on personal photography projects, while at other times, I oversee them as an art director. In the realm of Osom Studios, where we extensively engage with music, I ensure that when we are creating cover art, there's a narrative that harmonizes seamlessly with the artist and the moment at hand.

What are your favorite topics to photograph? 

My daughter, my fiancée Julia, and nature—all three topics are truly awe-inspiring. When it comes to our photoshoots with Julia, they are always wonderfully spontaneous and efficiently executed. If we sense that the location is promising, we don't hesitate to seize the moment and capture the beauty without excessive contemplation (even though we tend to overthink things at times). This approach ensures that my hobby doesn't overshadow our vacation experiences. As a fun fact, on our recent trip, we even created a moodboard to streamline the process further, helping us identify the specific shots we wanted to capture.

In a world of constant digital sharing, how do you balance your artistic vision with the pressure to produce content for social media and online platforms?

I prefer to work in intervals and prepare my content well in advance. Whenever I find some free time, I make sure I have a few posts or reels ready to go. Personally, I find it more appealing to occasionally take a break from social media platforms for a week and then share highlights from that period, rather than constantly documenting every moment of my life. This approach, in my opinion, helps preserve my privacy.

It's not about hiding the places I visit, but rather not actively seeking to capture every moment with my camera. For example, when I'm at the airport, I keep my camera off and wait until I reach my destination before starting to document my journey. I also appreciate the distinction between the quality of full-frame mirrorless cameras and an iPhone. This separation allows me to categorize my shots into two groups: casual and fun shots, memories, and sometimes reels captured with my iPhone for personal use, and then more serious work that I shoot with my Sony or Canon cameras. The latter I approach with a higher level of dedication, often spending weeks fine-tuning them to achieve that perfect look and feel.

Furthermore, being a designer, I feel that I have an advantage. I consider myself a better designer than a photographer, and this enables me to enhance my photos using tools like Photoshop. Through preparation and retouching, I can create compelling visual narratives. This approach works well for me, especially when I'm not aiming to capture breathtaking, iconic, or documentary-style shots.