Today we’d like to introduce you to Roy Schweiger
Hi Roy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in Tel Aviv, Israel had a major role in shaping my personality and the unique experience it had in the first half of my life. I was truly lucky to discover my love for motion and photography fairly early on and right before I graduated high school.
My grandfather who was the only person in the family who was not born In Israel was sent by his family in Bratislava, Slovakia to Israel at 15 years old just before WW2. He had a strong European influence on me and I embraced it. I was eager to learn from the best and somehow knew my calling was outside of Israel where fashion markets and beauty industries are stronger and established.
The decision to move to Milan was instant, I knew I wanted to live in Italy even before visiting there. At times you know where you should be without a reasonable reason or explanation. I studied Italian for a few months, took my savings, and made Milan my home for the following decade. The pre-Facebook and social media were somewhat more real and challenging at the same time, I met my mentor who guided and helped pave my way as a young photographer.
I assisted several local and international well-known photographers, I enjoyed paying attention to the dynamics between the creatives and clients and it opened my eyes and shaped my sensitivity to interactions and relationships in the fashion industry.
I arrived in Milan in 2006, a period in time without social media or other online self-promotional platforms, I didn’t have an iPhone nor did I check my emails on the cellphone I had. As a young photographer, the sense of satisfaction was when my work was published in a magazine or a billboard and sort of let that make the silent promotional work for you.
I was walking around for meetings with my heavy custom-made black leather portfolio, showcasing work on a laptop that seemed unprofessional. The print had a great significance that contributed to the way you would promote yourself. Evolution has always been within us as a society and happens whether we like it or not, sooner or later it affects us all and the old ways get blurry with the new ways until fully implemented.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Im not sure any road is a smooth road otherwise there isn’t growth and evolvement.
I can recall few roadblocks along the way such the 2007 recession where many creatives I knew struggled to get any work at all and on the other hand some may say the rise of social media created new challenges the global industry gained and lost for its big shift.
Social media was born out of evolution and with that many small and big changes along the way that reshaped every creative person out there, I think the most significant tool social media has always had was using one’s voice smartly and efficiently to impact others. Exposing our personal story rather than just personal work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Humans are energy and its so important to be aware and read the room. Each of a team member, colleague or a business partner has something to contribute, which is the reason I chose that particular person.
I would say, finding the balance between empowering and challenging it the best mix for a team to make a great team work.
People want to express their energy through their creative experience, hence I would always want to find the way for them to take the lead while maintaining leadership within their own expertise.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I suspect the artificial intelligent will take bigger part of the industry in such shape or form.
Some eCommerce fashion companies already started using machines instead of photographers and some models were replaced by 3D / AI models.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royschweiger.com
- Instagram: royschweigerphoto
