The work of a photojournalist is an intimate acquaintance with life
Artūras Morozovas is a man who looks at the world through the lens of a camera. Sometimes in his native Kaunas, sometimes far from home, in military conflict zones: in Georgia, Palestine, Ukraine, but always with youthful enthusiasm and curiosity. Although the work of a photojournalist is unpredictable, instantaneous, and sometimes life-threatening, Artūras enjoys the opportunity to be a chronicler of today's history and wishes everyone not to be afraid to look for themselves.
Why did you choose Vytautas Magnus University for your studies?
Since I am a sworn Kaunas resident, VMU has always impressed me with its high culture and morals. Maybe even a bit romanticized in this regard. alma mater I looked, I felt that interwar aristocratic spirit, which both Kaunas itself and VMU pulsate with to this day. You just need to know where to feel this pulse.
What did studying at VMU give to your personality and worldview?
Apart from the knowledge I gained while studying for a bachelor’s degree in art history, the university taught me how to communicate. Since I started working as a photojournalist in Vilnius in my second year, I was forced to constantly communicate with my professors. I quickly realized that the Faculty of Arts is more than a simple institution. It is home to the intellectuals of our city, great people, with whom there is not formal student-teacher communication, but, above all, a conversation between two people who respect each other. Although I have been finishing my academic activities at VMU for several years now, I have remained good friends with most of the professors and we never pass each other on the street without “swapping” a few words.
How did you get interested in photography? What inspired you to pursue your dream (after all, studying at university was different from your chosen profession...)?
I have been interested in photography since I was a child. More precisely, I have always been interested in storytelling and eloquent photographs. I was fascinated and still am fascinated by the photo reportage genre. Through the viewfinder of the film camera I bought in my teens, I tried to observe the lively, unstaged street life. The history of the Kaunas branch of the Lithuanian Union of Photo Artists probably contributed to this passion. After all, Kaunas was one of the European capitals of the photo reportage genre in the 1950s and 1960s. I am still amazed at what a wonderful time photographers live in Kaunas – they can meet and drink coffee with our classics on the street: Aleksandrs Macijauskas, Romualdas Rakauskas, Romualdas Požerskis, etc.
What is the life of a photojournalist like?
In short, it is an incredibly interesting profession. It is one of the most intimate in the acquaintance with life. Little monotony, many unplanned trips, microscopic observation of "hot" events. There was a time when, drinking coffee in the morning, I did not know what awaited me during the day - whether I would have to trample the parquet of the Presidential Palace or wander through the forests. Since a photojournalist must be close to the events taking place today (and sometimes even get ahead of time and capture what will be interesting tomorrow), one often has to travel unexpectedly, find oneself in really interesting places. Of course, there are also many difficulties - emotionally experiencing tragic events, constantly adjusting one's personal life plans.
What is the best thing about being a photojournalist?
These three things are probably the most fascinating – the dynamics of the work, feeling the pulse of life, and the intimate touch with history.
Photojournalists work in a variety of places, from basketball courts to the corridors of ministries. Why are you so drawn to dangerous conflict zones (you visited Georgia during the war, photographed Maidan in Ukraine, Chechnya, Palestine)?
Well, first of all, I definitely don't consider myself a "war photographer". There are colleagues who have been doing this job their whole lives and focus specifically on capturing conflicts. I am also interested in other things, maybe even more than tragic events. However, I have to admit that I am increasingly "taming" this specific area of journalism. Perhaps because it requires maximum attention, insight and calm. I notice that in conflict environments I feel calm - this is one of the essential qualities needed when being in such situations. Another quality that I am happy with is the ability to return to everyday life and enjoy it, psychological resilience to the environments in which I have to work.
And where does all this courage come from? Aren't you afraid that one day you might be seriously injured while "catching" a shot?
Well, maybe it's not so much courage as journalistic curiosity. It's incredibly interesting to observe these historical transformations so closely. Reading only the headlines or articles by journalists who write all this from the comfort of their own offices misses out on that sensory experience. When you land on a plane in another country, you want to breathe in the air, notice the rhythm of life, and chat with ordinary locals who are often forgotten.
As for safety, if you have done your "homework" and know how to behave in that cultural-conflict environment, respect its participants and local traditions, you can feel quite safe. Of course, these are places of increased risk, where luck also plays a big role.
Maybe there's a city or country that particularly fascinates you? One where you want to take and photograph?
I really like Tbilisi. Its rhythm of life, its hustle and bustle never get boring. I have spent a lot of time there and I still can't "escape" this country.
Do you have any authorities or ideals in your life or work?
I couldn't single out one personality. I have ideals for individual characteristics.
What would you wish for students who feel like they chose the wrong major at university, that they entered "the wrong path"?
Don't overemphasize your choice, don't be afraid to change it. The best experience and self-discovery is travel.
Karolina Paškevičiūtė
