Meet Monika Sedziute of Monika Sed in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Sedziute.

Monika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey in the arts and photography industry started approximately ten years ago. After high school, while doing my bachelor’s degree, I started working for a very well known portrait photographer in Lithuania. At that time, I had no idea about photography. However, after two years of assisting on the shoots, and learning all the retouching secrets, I gathered enough knowledge to finally not be scared to take a camera into my hands and start experimenting.

After that, I moved to Spain, where I was trying to build my photography career for almost three years; later I jumped into the adventure of modeling in Beijing for three months. After China, I had some slow time trying to see where my direction was going to. I accidentally discovered a scholarship called Fulbright, which turned my life around 360 degrees. I spent another nine months in London building my portfolio and in 2016 moved to Los Angeles to do my masters at New York Film Academy. I would say that those two years and a half were filled with so much space to grow, easy and difficult days, learning and experimenting, trying to find my voice as a photographer, moments of wanting to give up and moments of feeling that I am the luckiest person on this planet. I guess, like any other professional artistic career, it had its own struggles and rewarding moments.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
To be honest, I don’t think there is a single person on this planet who would say that their road had no, either inner or outer, struggles. I had days when I struggled financially when I wouldn’t get a single job for few months when I would doubt if I chose the right path, days when I wanted to quit and look for a safer job. Struggles of trying to prove to my surroundings why I do what I do. But at the same time, I knew that photography and all the aspects of this profession is something that makes me want to wake up in the morning, makes me want not to stop, makes me grow, meet so many different people and challenge myself.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a freelance fashion and portrait photographer and retoucher. As I mentioned before I have over ten years of experience working internationally in countries like Lithuania, Spain, China, the UK and the USA. I could proudly say that during all those years, I had a chance to learn about the photography business from all the angles, being in front of the camera, behind and doing the postproduction. That definitely helps me to understand the whole process better and make the right decisions in order to make everything easier.

I love people as a subject. My biggest inspirations come from minimalism, unexpected angles, simplicity and truthfulness to the moment. I do love fashion shoots where you work with a big team and everyone are dedicated and excited for the results. Also, I love one on one portrait sessions where I have to be in charge of making a person feel comfortable in front of the camera and capture a good photo. And also, I love moments when I am alone with my camera wondering on the streets and playing with silence, shadows and light.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that luck was very present in my life and still is. I am a very hardworking and dedicated person, but at the same time, there were moments in my life, when certain things, situations or people happened and it felt like destiny or luck send them to me. Which I will be always grateful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.monikased.com
• Email: info@monikased.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monikased/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mgarsiaphotography/

Image Credit:
My portrait by Daryl Spiegel

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