Bulgarian photographer (and actor), Vladimir Karamazov, on first night nerves, thinking only of photography, learning about narrative through acting, a lesson in forgiveness and in hope against the odds.
Born in Sofia (Bulgaria), Vladimir Karamazov graduated classical drama theatre at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts. He has a 25 years career as a professional actor and part of the company of the Bulgarian National Theater “Ivan Vazov”. He has performed many roles in theatre cinema and television, but has always loved photography making it his occupation since 2019. He looks for the images, the places, the atmosphere of the plays in which he has performed. And looks for special people with dramatic and interesting stories. Photography helps him understand humanity in its complexity and scale, and reveals the true nature of it. Over the past few years, he has won a number of photography competitions, including from Sony World Photo Awards, the British Journal of Photography and Lensculture.
Vladimir recently published his debut photobook with GOST books, For the Grace of God, which takes takes us into the notorious Belene Prison, located in northern Bulgaria on the border with Romania; the most heavily guarded facility of its type in the country. The work focusses primarily on inmates serving life sentences without parole.
On episode 294, Vladimir discusses, among other things;