Meet Monika Sed: Fashion, portrait & fine art photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monika Sed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I think it has been a very natural process. Since I have been in the photography business for quite some time, I can definitely say that it all started by exploring my capabilities as a creator, understanding business ups and downs, what could be my in depth contribution, questioning if I do have a natural talent or will I need to work very hard to learn things. Also, with time, I realised how much I wouldn’t be liking to work for someone else, having defined limits, rules, commitments that wouldn’t let me grow at the speed I desired.

I think that was the moment when I realised that the only way I can enjoy what I like and live my true self every day – is by working for myself. And many people probably have a wrong image, that it is all about fun and freedom. Owning a business, it becomes an even bigger commitment than working for someone else. You become accountable for your own actions, decisions and success. However, at the same time, it gives you the feeling of absolute euphoria and that the sky’s no limit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a fashion, portrait and fine art photographer with an extensive training in photography, from portraits to architecture, fashion and other photographic practices. I started my journey in photography 12 years ago, by assisting different photographers back home, in Lithuania. I was still very young and got lucky to work with the top creatives in my country but at that time I had no idea that eventually photography will become my path as well.

With years I learnt more and more, people started to ask me to take their photos, and in that time, I realised that I have an eye for photography.

What followed next, was a long process of understanding the business, learning how photography forms parts of our lives, learning all the aspects of behind the scenes, working very long hours, practicing non stop. After 8 years of doing it on and off, I got a scholarship to study a master program in Los Angeles. Where I not only deepened my knowledge in the history of photography and fine art , but also, had a chance to finally see how everything works in the entertainment industry.

So I guess it comes to the conclusion, that the biggest moment that I am proud of is never giving up. As anyone else, I had days of self doubt, uncertainty, scarcity of the unknown, days when I was exhausted and even days when I doubted myself if I am good enough. Days when I compared myself to others, days when I didn’t like my art.

And all those moments bring you to the day of being in a present moment, and it makes me feel that I have accomplished a lot. I feel that it is super important to give ourselves credit for working hard, for challenging ourselves, for not being scared to dream and try things.

And still day to day I think a lot about : “what are the easy moments for me of being a photographer and what are the challenges?”

During the covid times, once the system started to collapse, and we all fell into the huge bubble of the unknown, I realised a couple of things. First, and for most, that things that seem easy or challenging for other people – was quite the opposite to me.

I find it more unusual to have the feeling of comfort, rather than live in a constant unknown. I find it harder to have a routine, rather than not to have one. Over the last 8 years, I have been moving a lot. One thing is to travel and discover new places, other – to actually move to a new country or a city, and start everything from 0. After a couple of times I did it, I felt like my brain was used to this pattern. Recently, after coming to Barcelona, I gave a lot of thought about my lifestyle and things that now feel comfortable to me, so that I could challenge certain patterns and try to change them.

In a way, it made me realise a couple of biggest lessons, and I am pretty sure there will be more to learn eventually. But the top few I could name is: be curious and don’t be afraid. Our brain is designed to seek for comfort, to protect us from this big word: Life. But the biggest wins, the most celebrated moments are when we simply try.  We try to overcome our fears, doubts, challenges. The biggest and most important lessons come from those moments.

At the end of the day, the most important thing for me is to filter the world through my eyes, my lens. I want people to see what I see. To feel what I feel. Basically to share with everyone my vision and my experience.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I guess it will sound strange but for me a lot of times it is not about the place, restaurant or coffee shop. For me it is always about someone who is next to me at that moment and especially if it is my best friend or my partner. For me, it is always showing the person next to me, how much I appreciate them, their time and energy, and what they are sharing with me.

If it would be one of my best friends, I am pretty sure I would know some specific places she/he would like, a certain food she/he enjoys. At the moment, I am living in Barcelona, and the city is mesmerising. Even the idea that you can just simply wonder on the unknown streets and always find something new and exciting – I feel like it is the best place for the creativity to nurture.

Personally for me, being close to nature but still having a touch of the civilisation and city – is the best combination.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It is quite hard to name one person, because I was lucky enough to build a very supportive system of my friends, who absolutely supported me every step and always celebrated my growth, wins and falls. So I honestly want to dedicate this shout out to every single person who followed my journey and was there when I doubted myself or I needed someone next to me.

Website: www.monikased.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monikased/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikased/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mgarsiaphotography

Image Credits
Photo credit: Oscar Rodriguez (the black and white image of me from BTS) The rest of them, I own the rights to them.