Small Talk with Art Director and Photographer Kinga

Welcome back to CINQ's 'Small Talk', an interview series spotlighting directors, DOPs, and other talented crew. In the latest interview, art director and photographer Kinga discusses having her personal fashion style present in her visuals, expanding horizons, and Wes Anderson comparisons. 

Q> Kinga is a photographer, art director, stylist, and set designer - her work defines her. But who is Kinga when the camera is off, and the stage is bare? 

Kinga> I don’t think I can completely let go of what I surround myself with daily and what I’m passionate about. Instead, I look around and let places, people, and objects affect me without imposing my own structure on them. I’m inspired in reverse. I notice the small details that others often overlook, becoming an observer and, sometimes, a participant.

Q> Your vivid and uniquely stylised visuals stand out remarkably. Can you share where the initial spark of inspiration for this style came from?

Kinga> I think it stems from my love of playing around and creating new worlds, where I combine fragments of things and ideas I enjoy with fresh impulses from the art scene, Apple TV shows, and even the dirty street. Plus, my personal fashion style is present in all my visuals, which really helps me shape people and scenes.

Q> Do you think there is something that's outright ugly and impossible to photograph?

Kinga> I haven’t encountered anything like that yet. The older I get, the more my horizons expand, opening me up to themes that wouldn’t have interested me years ago and seemed the height of boredom. 

Today, in the hands of creators, these topics are a new era of aesthetics and revivals with a fresh twist.

Q> Can you share what Persony, your portrait project, is all about?

Kinga> We are all Persony, and I aim to highlight this through a minimalist portrait style that lets people shine through colors while remaining true to themselves. Persony is a commercial project focused on creating niche portraits based on my visual style and styling, which helps enhance and celebrate each personality, making them feel both attractive and regal.

Q> You co-founded the creative studio and agency Wilhelm Kinga with your partner. So, who takes the lead when it comes to the visual direction?

Kinga> I’m not afraid to say that we’re very much in sync when it comes to taste and our sense of aesthetics. I have full trust in Wilhelm, my partner, and we’re often on the same page almost telepathically. I always try to elevate the brief with the right references, adding my personal take on storytelling to launch something a bit more entertaining into the world.

Q> Your work is often compared to Wes Anderson. Do you feel he is a trendsetter in visual style?

Kinga> This is a simple label for people who feel the need to define certain colour schemes, symmetry, stylisation, and humour automatically. I feel a bit awkward when I hear this comparison, because Wes Anderson is a creative director who’s become visually and immediately recognisable, much like the brilliant Tim Burton in a playful dark stylisation. Yes, he’s certainly among the consistent trendsetters.

Q> What is easier to work with, children or animals? 

Kinga> I’ve worked with both, so it’s hard to say. It depends on the specific nature of the child, as well as the animal. With both, I appreciate the freedom and unexpected spontaneity and also beautiful skin or glossy fur.

Q> How important is a brand identity in marketing for you?

Kinga> For me, a brand’s identity doesn’t lie in the visual aspect, which can be changed at a moment’s notice, but rather in what’s internal. It’s about what’s anchored within and the core idea or message that’s meant to dominate the market. I consider this far more important than what’s displayed to the public.

Q> Do you have any advice on how to turn a weakness into a strength?

Kinga> No one ever taught me that; I have to figure it out on my own - or with a well-paid mental coach. Okay, if a paid coach isn’t an option, try a psychologist and a few years of regular sessions.

Q> What’s your dream brand to work for?

Kinga> All brands that have a business strategy focused on creating meaningful buzz - never blending into the crowd - with humour and irony in their DNA, and that see the world in vibrant, saturated colours.