How did your love for photography begin, and grow?

I always enjoyed taking pictures as a child and that made me choose photography as a module in school. I enjoyed developing my own prints a lot and continued studying photography at college and university.

Before moving to Malta, you were based in London…have you adjusted to the change in the cultural scene?

It doesn't really matter where I go, the size of a place or what's on offer. I always find gems wherever I go. Malta and London are two completely different places so I cannot really compare them. I am enjoying the nature here more so than the cultural scene and find the colours, light and environments inspiring. Too much information is not necessarily a great thing. It can block you.

Where have you been the happiest or most productive…Sweden, London or Malta?

I left Sweden a long time ago and have not been active there as a photographer or artist. It would be lovely to work on a project there, perhaps in the future. I have been most productive in London shooting commercial jobs but probably most happy in Malta working on independent projects. I have been focusing on other areas of creativity here which has been great. Photography has not been the one and only medium for me here.

This is a land made of stone...did Malta’s buildings give you the inspiration for your current photographic exhibition?

I was definitely inspired by the buildings when arriving in Valletta, and yes they worked as perfect locations for the work I produced for this collection. However this collection was a spontaneous project, meaning it was completed during a week's holiday and I had not planned anything beforehand. It was my first visit to Malta and I did not know what location we would end up in until the time of the shoot.

How would you describe this exhibition?

A creative free-flowing photographic, spontaneous journey.

Do you use the gentle movements of the female form to create a contrast with the hard edges of stone? In other words is ‘stone’ chosen as a backdrop for movement and grace?

Working with the human form and environments is something I find fascinating. Pietra, the model, had a week off from the Royal Ballet and came with me to Malta for a week's holiday. During that week I photographed one series of pictures a day. We visited Gozo and came across a location I resonated with and set up, there and then.  We had used all the costumes she had brought with her during the week, we only had a tub of gold body paint left and it was the perfect prop for the location. Really it was that spontaneous, a great experience and a change from shooting commercial jobs that are always so planned. 

What do you enjoy most: art or fashion photography or a subtle mix of both?

I enjoy photographing my independent work the most though I am happy to work in many fields of photography, each job offers something different. Fashion is not an area I have dived into really - I have been working on theatrical projects. 

I like the human form and movement so dance photography is something I find fulfilling. I will be collaborating with Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Dance this autumn which I am looking forward to. I do offer photography portfolios as a service to anyone who is curious to step in front of the lens, not just dancers and no experience is needed.

What kind of creative endeavours are you interested in, here in Malta?

I am currently developing a new project which is focused on health and well-being. I am exploring new mediums of expression and interested to be creative in other areas than photography. It has been great spending time in Malta to get new inspiration and this project came alive as a bit of a surprise. As a creative it is important to keep moving, follow your intuition and not get stuck with projects and forms of expression we feel comfortable with.

Pietra and Stone is currently on show until the end of September 2013 in the lobby of Hotel Juliani. Don’t miss viewing it this week. It consists of photographs by Anna Runefelt and has been set up by SO Galerie.

For more information contact Joseph Simon Gauci at SO Galerie on [email protected] or through http://www.sogalerie.com