IVO VALOV

I specialise in portraiture and have a strong affinity towards the monochromatic splendor of classic black and white photography. My greatest inspiration is film and filmmakers, and I incorporate the lighting, feeling, and atmosphere of films into my work. I love to direct my shoots as though we are on a small film set and fully embrace everyone’s input, and the changes that happen on the fly, during the shoot - just like on a film set.

Oh, and much to your surprise, I’m sure, a penguin I am not. And though I may not be fat on the outside I do have a certain smiley approach and penguin-like kindness to everything. I am a trained hacker and an experienced people leader but somehow I ended up here - taking photographs on an archaic medium.

Did you know that Major General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of the Bouvet Islands is a king penguin who resides in the Edinburgh Zoo, and is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard?