Hi Sebstian. Can you first introduce yourself, who you are, where you come from and where you currently live? A little about your personal background.
My name is Sebastian Burziwal and I come from and live in Vienna. After a few years as a project manager in a marketing agency, I took the step and became self-employed as a photographer.
What do you do for a living and how does it relate to your photography?
Since this year I have officially been working as a self-employed photographer.
How did you start your career as a photographer? How has your personal style developed over the years?
I started out taking classic landscape photos with my cell phone. At some point I discovered Instagram and started posting my photos there. When I ran out of classic landscape and travel photos one day, I started taking photos of our beautiful city (Vienna). Since these photos were also very well received on Instagram, I stuck with it. Today it's a mixture of travel, landscape and city photography.
What inspires you and why?
Sometimes a short walk through Vienna's city center is enough to provide the necessary inspiration. But sometimes it is conversations with other creative people or exchanging ideas or possible photo projects that lead to the most exciting results.
Your pictures show beautiful, atmospheric compositions, especially from urban environments – how did you develop this style?
Through countless hours of YouTube videos and LightRoom. Many people often ask for presets and other tricks for "prettier" photos. The problem is that the photos don't get better per se. You should develop your own style, both in terms of photos and editing.
As you can see from your feed, you like to be out and about, exploring the city and nature – are your photos planned? Do you work in a specific setup or are the photos more spontaneous?
It all depends - it's the mix that counts! I often spontaneously stroll through the city with my camera, and of course I'm happy when I get photos out of it. But it doesn't always work! Conversely, the most fantastic shots can also come from spontaneous trips. But I also keep a list of ideas/places/motifs that I would like to photograph or try out. I always add to this when I have a new idea or I try to implement as many of them as possible.
What does your perfect shooting day look like?
Ideally, it starts with an adventure at sunrise and ends after sunset with a good glass of wine in front of the PC.
Does the place you come from or currently live in have a big influence on the images you make? If so, how?
Yes, Vienna definitely has a big influence on my photos. Not only because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but also because even for me, who has lived in Vienna for 28 years, there is always something new to discover.
What are your personal positive discoveries, experiences and developments that you have made during the pandemic?
Above all, that you can be creative with the simplest of means and from home! Especially in times like these, it is important to be aware that creativity begins in the mind.
What do you think about the IG community you have built? Do you exchange ideas with other IGers or do you meet up? Have any special collaborations emerged?
I am extremely grateful for the community that follows my work and is happy about new pictures. The positive feedback is one of the biggest motivating factors of all. I know that it is anything but a given and I am really grateful for it. I regularly meet up with other Instagrammers for photo walks etc. A few collaborations have already come about, including with Vienna Tourist Board, Austrian Tourist Board and many others.
How and why did you start using Instagram as a platform to showcase your photography?
Fun fact: I started using Instagram one evening on Madeira (Portuguese island) when a colleague explained to me the importance of hashtags on Instagram. I have been uploading photos regularly since 2015.
Do you have a favorite photo you have taken and what is the story behind it?
One of my favorite photo series was taken on an autumnal day in October last year. It had rained the night before, so the air was still very humid and every single ray of sunlight was visible as it fell through the leaves of the trees.
Do you still send postcards yourself?
In fact, I still send postcards because there are a few people in my family who are incredibly happy to receive them every time.
Did you know about PICKMOTION before our cooperation? And if so, where from?
To be honest, I didn't know about PICKMOTION, but I was part of your #pckwalk in the Museumsquartier last September. And now that I'm paying special attention, I suddenly see the cards and magnets everywhere.
Can you tell us three more of your favorite IG accounts?
One of the accounts I like best is definitely @A_l_x_ender . His street shots and cinematic tones are incredibly good. I also really like Norbert's ( @spoti ) work. I've also been inspired by him on occasion when it comes to choosing subjects and editing styles. I also really like the work of Anskar & Lea ( @anskar.lenzen / @lea.milde ). The two combine the topics of sustainability/nature conservation & photography in a very impressive way. The resulting photos are unique and often breathtaking.
