Russian drone photographer Yura Borschev talks drones, photography and landing big brand deals
Yura Borschev is a successful and well-accomplished drone photographer from Moscow, Russia. He believes in hard work and constant self-improvement as becomes quite evident in the interview down below. Yura has worked for multiple internationally recognised brands such as Nike, Adidas, VW and FIFA. He is also the CEO and founder of the online magazine The-challenger.ru.
We asked Yura about his personal photography journey, how he goes about his drone photography and how he manages to get big-ticket jobs with large, international brands.
Yura Borschev is a successful and well-accomplished drone photographer from Moscow, Russia. He believes in hard work and constant self-improvement as becomes quite evident in the interview down below. Yura has worked for multiple internationally recognised brands such as Nike, Adidas, VW and FIFA. He is also the CEO and founder of the online magazine The-challenger.ru.
We asked Yura about his personal photography journey, how he goes about his drone photography and how he manages to get big-ticket jobs with large, international brands.
“I am trying to raise the bar with every post and to improve my editing skills or creative collaborations. I don’t like posting ordinary content which I don’t love myself. As a result, my photos and projects speak for themselves.”
Throughout your exciting and fascinating career, there have been two stand-out themes that seem to underpin and connect everything you do. These are your clear love of Moscow, the city you call home, and drone photography. Can you tell us a little more about yourself and what you like the most about your beautiful city? Moreover, can you describe your history and connection to Moscow, and how it has influenced you as a person and in your photography?
My photography is all about aerial perspective. I put a lot of effort into each and every shot I post on Instagram and try to let my photos speak for themselves. As a result, the hobby I started 3 years ago is a big part of my life today. Next year, I am going to transform my photography to become more artistic than just capturing nature and landscapes.
Actually, shooting cityscapes is not what I love to do the most; nevertheless, I really love Moscow. This city is very dynamic and full of interesting and creative people.
I am happy to hear you were able to make this hobby a big part of your life. Can you explain the process of you getting your first drone to when you decided that this was something that you were really passionate about and wanted to forge a career doing?
I got my first drone as a birthday gift from a friend—this is how it all started. Before that, I had a Canon EOS 5D full-frame camera, but I used it rarely. For example, I only used it to take some shots of my family or friends whilst on vacation.
In what way has this aerial perspective changed your view on your hometown (creatively)? How does it change and challenge your perception of space and movement?
Great question. Actually, nowadays when I see some interesting place or object, I try to pretend how it will look like from above. It can be anything – crossroads, a courtyard, a lake, stairs, and so on.
You’ve procured an extremely impressive and diverse list of highly renowned big brand clients: You’ve produced a 14-second video for Adidas and FIFA that was televised to tens of millions of people worldwide for the 2018 football world cup, you’ve won multiple photography/videography awards and contests and had your work featured in multiple articles and DJI drone advertisements. What drives you to keep pushing the limits and to take on more and more challenges?
My main idea is that my next Instagram post should be better than the previous one. In other words, I am trying to raise the bar with every post and to improve my editing skills or creative collaborations. I don’t like posting ordinary content which I don’t love myself. As a result, my photos and projects speak for themselves.
Is there anything you haven’t done yet but would really like to try doing?
Yes, I have an idea of a photo project which requires me to travel to seven countries, and currently, I am looking for a brand who can sponsor it. This project’s theme is sports.
You work a lot and are very successful. What keeps you grounded and focused? How do you unwind, and what do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? What else are you passionate about?
Drone photography is still a hobby and not my main job. I spend 90% of my time being CEO and founder of an online magazine called The-challenger.ru. It’s #1 in Russia online media about healthy living and has more than 2 million site visits per month—so I am focused 24/7.
Working in advertisement means presenting the best side of a product or a lifestyle—but the work behind the scenes is not always as glamorous as it might seem when people see the finished product or pictures on a social media site. What have been the most challenging aspects of your job so far and how did you manage to overcome them? Has there been one specific job that has pushed you to your limits?
Please see the video on this post. There are English subtitles that will answer your question. This has been my hardest project to date.
For the sake of all drone operators and lovers out there, it would be remiss of me not to ask what drones you’ve used over the years and what your go-to drones are now?
I had a Mavic 1 Pro. These days, I am using a Mavic 2 Pro. All commercial projects have been shot with these two beasts. My drone is unique as it has been customized by Porkas Lampas.
Contacting and working with brands is something that every creative/influencer will have to do at some point if they want to turn their hobbies and passions into a career or will have to do to further their career prospects. Can you offer any insights into how this sometimes daunting next step and challenge can be undertaken? Is rejection a normal part of this process? And how do you deal with setbacks, client rejections and quiet periods where one might struggle to find paid work and big projects?
I do not search for the clients that pay me, they actually come themselves. But when I go on my regular photo trips (I organize one every 6 months), I look for partners: brands that give me and my group transport (cars), gear (as the Sony cameras on my last trip to Norway), clothes (e.g. Reebok, also on my last trip), someone to pay for the tickets or hotels that give us a discount, and so on. I email them and yes, I do have rejections (although not many).
A lot of effort goes into creating the presentation that explains where are we going, how long it will take, who the photographers of my group are, and what we can offer to our partners (like posts, stories and/or a video about the trip, just like this one). The better your presentation, the higher the chance that the sponsor will get your idea, trust you and give you what you want. Therefore my advice: learn to describe your ideas! And try thinking from the client’s point of view, like “why should they like what I offer?” or “does this fit with their corporate values or marketing needs?”.
These are good tips, thank you! What are the most rewarding things about the lifestyle that you are living and the career path that you have chosen? What are some of the biggest sacrifices that you’ve had to make?
My lifestyle philosophy is: “Don’t start doing things/projects that you won’t finish at your best.” If you do something, you have to try to do it better then anyone before you. The main sacrifice is time – but it always pays off.
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