We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vlad Shurigin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vlad, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
I first started taking photos of my own car, slowly progressing to shooting my friends’ cars. The more cars I shot the more people wanted photos from me, and the more I shot the better I got. Photography has taken me all over the world, and photography helped me make connections I couldn’t Imagine. I went from dreaming about exotic cars to shooting them, I went from looking at companies like Lamborghini and ferrari, to shooting for them. Photography was my gateway into the life I dreamed about. It opened doors that I didn’t even know existed. My photography allowed me to become an influencer in the automotive industry. I was able to buy the car of my dreams from taking photos. I went from dreaming about driving exotics to owning one, a 2020 Aston Martin Vantage. I went from listening to celebrities to taking photos of them,
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I specialize in automotive photography, lifestyle photography, graphic images, travel photography, watch photography, and renders. If it has anything to do with high-end exotics/luxury.
I am most proud of my new move to LA. This move has given me the opportunity to work with some amazing companies in the exotic supercar space along with many other ventures. I’m excited for the amazing content I will be creating here and the ability to do what I love and have creative freedom.
Getting to where I am today as a photographer was not easy. I spent years mastering my craft and to this day, 10 years later i’m still learning. I did countless free photoshoots just to get my name out there. I knew networking was very important so I focused a lot of my energy on meeting people. A Lot of times it’s not what you know it’s who you know. I understood this concept so I tried to meet as many new people as possible because you never know who might know someone or who might need a photographer one day.
I never gave up. Plenty of times I had people tell me my photos are terrible or im not good and I should stop. Well I never did. If I stopped I wouldn’t be where I am today. Instead I used that negativity as fuel to better myself and learn more. You can’t give up, and nothing worth having comes easy. You wont become amazing overnight, You have to trust the process and work hard everyday. Eventually you will be where you want to be.
I want people to know that I hustle everyday because I genuinely love taking pictures and seeing how they make people feel. I want to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves and know they can attract anything they desire. To never give up and overcome any obstacles.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Vladislav Shurigin, widely known as Zuumy, has crafted an impressive presence in the world of automotive photography through his social media platforms. His distinct editing style, characterized by a preference for dramatic visuals, sets his work apart in an oversaturated photography landscape. Starting with captivating images of his own car, Zuumy gradually expanded his portfolio, capturing the essence of friends’ vehicles and building his skills. His devotion to automobiles motivated him to freeze moments in time for car owners, thus laying the foundation for his prolific career. With a unique blend of lifestyle and automotive photography, Zuumy creates striking visuals that effortlessly fuse speed and elegance. His commitment to authenticity and consistency resonates through his cohesive social media feed, connecting him with a dedicated community of enthusiasts. Beyond photography, Zuumy’s influence extends to entrepreneurship, as he founded Black 11, a high-end automotive car care product line. This venture showcases his meticulous approach to branding and design, echoing his commitment to quality. Zuumy’s journey underscores the power of passion, innovation, and hard work in carving a niche and inspiring others within the competitive world of social media and entrepreneurship.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative, such as yourself, Vladislav Shurigin (Zuumy), is the ability to transform ideas into tangible forms of expression. Through your lens, you can capture the essence of a moment, a concept, or an emotion, and translate it into a visual narrative that resonates with others. This process grants you a unique channel to communicate, evoke emotions, and share your perspective with the world. The satisfaction lies in seeing your creativity touch people’s lives, evoke reactions, and spark conversations. Additionally, the freedom to continuously innovate, experiment, and evolve your craft allows for personal growth and an ever-expanding creative horizon. Ultimately, the gratification of being a creative lies in the power to leave a lasting impact, inspire others, and contribute your unique vision to the cultural tapestry.
Contact Info:
- Website: zuumy.us
- Instagram: zuumy
- Facebook: Zuumydesigns
- Twitter: _zuumy
- Youtube: Zuumy