Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Van Ryzin.
Hi Alina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in New York City and began photographing as a teenager through an afterschool arts program for NYC high school students. In 2013, I left home to go to a historically women’s college outside of Philadelphia, where I majored in Fine Art Photography. I graduated in 2018 and stayed in Philly until last February (2021) when I relocated to Miami.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been smooth in the sense that I am fortunate to have the support of my friends and family, they believe in my work and help me combat the self-doubt that comes with making personal work. The inner monologue is probably one of the biggest struggles, it’s easy to get in a loop of “why am I even making this? what is the point of making this? who is going to care bout this other than me?” etc.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer specializing in black and white medium format imaging. I am known for a series of images I made while in college about what a women’s college looks like in 2021 and about discovering my own sexuality in that very unique space. I am most proud of my book, “Bryn Mawr” published by Kris Graves Projects. It felt like years of photographic and personal work culminated in a very satisfying fulfilling way that I am so grateful for. I think my process sets me apart from other photographers. I take a long time to make images and an even longer time to publish them. I do a lot of archival research to supplement my images and to feed my brain while I am making the images. I also very firmly believe that photographers should tell their own stories and should photograph what they know. I think this informs my work at every level and is also the root of a lot of insecurities. Because the work is so personal sometimes it is easy to start thinking that it’s only important to me. But then I look at my bookshelf of photobooks and I remember that so many of the most influential works of art were extremely personal but still resonate with so many others. Tried but true: The personal is political.
Pricing:
- Prints $250-$800
- Portfolio $3,000
- Book $28
Contact Info:
- Website: alinavanryzin.com
- Instagram: @alinavanryzin
Image Credits
1. Beach Day, New Jersey 2. Self Portrait with Marie in Isabel’s room 3. Joni in her dorm room, Radnor Hall 4. Pork Leg in Tia Ildita’s Freezer, General Carillo, Villa Clara, Cuba,
