Gentle Focus: Sasha Stavila

Somewhere between looking and being seen, Sasha has found a way of working that asks him to slow down. His photographs are born from curiosity, from the quiet act of paying attention to what surrounds him and allowing an image to reveal itself in its own time. He finds inspiration in the places where art lives beyond the camera, the worn pages of old magazines, photographs tucked away in archives, records spinning in the background, and the museums and streets of New York.

There is an intimacy in the way he photographs people. Rather than asking his subjects to become someone else, he wants them to feel at home within themselves. A calm presence becomes part of his process, creating enough space for the person in front of him to soften into the moment. In that space, vulnerability does not have to be performed. It can simply exist. Film gives him another way to honor that feeling, asking him to pause before the shutter closes and to be certain of what he wants to hold onto.

This period of Sasha’s life has become an exercise in looking inward without losing sight of the world around him. He is learning to release the urge to measure his journey against someone else’s and to trust that his work does not need to arrive all at once. There is still so much he wants to discover: new ways of working with light, new people to collaborate with, stories that have yet to take shape. Somewhere ahead is a photobook, perhaps a zine, perhaps a room filled with his photographs. For now, he is allowing himself to wander toward them, one image at a time.

“I want my viewers to feel peace whenever they see my work, and to see a reflection of themselves or what they aspire to be.”

— Sasha Stavila

WHAT IS YOUR WHY? WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVITY

I’m obsessed with visual storytelling, documentary work, and being part of a collective of very talented artists that i’m happy to call my peers.

HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND OR CULTURAL HERITAGE SHAPED THE WAY YOU SEE AND CREATE ART?

I was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to the United States when I was 11, and learning how America functions culturally from an outsider’s perspective helped me navigate my world. I would say that my college years were the most transformative when I discovered my political beliefs and eventually became a socialist, as well as when I moved to New York in 2018 and hung out with incredible artists of multi-cultural backgrounds and diasporas.

WHAT ROLE DOES VULNERABILITY PLAY IN YOUR WORK?

Whenever I photograph my subjects, I want them to be themselves and sit comfortably with their essence. It’s harder to achieve than it sounds, but I would say that my open nature and calmness helps my subjects ease into the moment and allows both of us to photograph amazing work.

ARE THERE ANY ROUTINES, RITUALS, OR HABITS THAT HELP GROUND YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE?

Since moving back to NYC, I’ve been obsessed with collecting and consuming physical media, whether it’s books and magazines or vinyl records. I love going to Iconic Magazine on Mulberry because their collection is very impressive and it feels like a sensory overload, but in the best way possible.
I also built a habit of going to the gym and practicing yoga at least 3 times a week to keep my body healthy.

WHAT DOES DISCIPLINE LOOK LIKE FOR YOU WHEN INSPIRATION DISAPPEARS?

I find it helpful to take a step back and study the works of great photographers that came before me. I also enjoy going to museums in the city such as the Met, and keeping my eye out on artist-driven activations that bring community together.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE HAD TO UNLEARN IN ORDER TO GROW CREATIVELY?

It’s something that i’m still unlearning, but the trap of comparing myself and my work to others. It makes me feel like i’m not working fast enough or shooting enough projects to fill this missing gap within myself.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A PIECE IS TRULY FINISHED?

When I feel that there’s nothing else I can add to the piece that I'm working on and have had enough time to sit with the work and still feel good about it, I think that’s when it’s finished.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT CHAPTER OF YOUR CREATIVE LIFE, AND HOW IS IT REFLECTED IN THE THEMES OR EMOTIONS EMERGING IN YOUR WORK?

Right now, I'm in the phase of self discovery and gathering inspiration by studying other people's work, whether it's by attending exhibitions, picking up new magazines, or going to the library to dive into the archives of past photographers. I try to be as open to experimenting as possible to push my work to limits I haven't yet explored, particularly with lighting in the studio or outdoors. Film photography has remained a constant through my medium by documenting this moment in time and allows me to slow things down before hitting the shutter button.

IN AN ERA OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONSTANT VISIBILITY, HOW DO YOU STAY TRUE TO YOUR CREATIVE VISION WHILE ENGAGING AN AUDIENCE?

I've begun disassociating myself from social media to focus more on my work and to cut out the noise and overstimulation that it comes with. I love keeping my network and audience updated here and there and continue retaining my relationships I've built over the years, but taking a step back helps me avoid the trap of comparison I mentioned before and allows me to grow as an artist. My audience will always enjoy what I bring to the table, and whenever I have new work ready that I can stand by, I'll happily share it. But until then, they must wait.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE, AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO EXPLORE NEXT?

Now that I'm back in New York for good, what excites me the most is that I have easier access to my community and more opportunities that I can explore creatively. There are many people I've been wishing to work with for some time and I look forward to collaborating with them.I'd like to explore creating a zine or photo book and decide which theme or subject to put my efforts in, but I also have a goal of creating a solo exhibition that explores that theme.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE EMERGING ARTIST'S ABOUT ADVOCATING FOR FAIR COMPENSATION AND PROTECTING THE VALUE OF THEIR WORK?

Value yourself even more than you think you do and insist on the rate that is fair for the work you're being asked to do. They came to you in the first place, so you already have that leverage on your side. If they really wish to hire you for your eye, then don't be afraid to stand by your rate. Even if they walk away, you didn't compromise against your worth, and that's what really matters.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR WORK HAS ON THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE IT?

I hope that my viewers feel peace whenever they see my work, and that they see a reflection of themselves or what they aspire to be.