A LITTLE ABOUT ME
Biography
Hi there! My name is Yassen Grigorov and I'm a Bulgarian-born, London-based photographer. I moved to the UK to study my craft at the University of Westminster in 2017, and graduated their BA Photography course with First Class Honours in 2020. During that time, I developed keen interests in a variety of subjects, ranging from fashion, architecture and design, to philosophy, artificial intelligence and sociology.
Beyond photography, I enjoy music, cooking and fitness. I'm an avid track cyclist and runner, coffee nerd and occasional wine aficionado. I also dabble in writing on subjects photographic and otherwise.
ABOUT MY PROCESS
My Work
At YGREQ, I champion authenticity, craftsmanship and intimacy. I believe the current photographic landscape is one that favours superficiality and trendiness over sincerity. My way of pushing back against this is by putting my subjects' passions and personalities first, and really letting their stories sing!
I prefer to work on analogue media as the workflow better aligns itself with my values. I believe that the process of photography is precious and something to be cherished, thus the slower, more methodical and deliberate approach that film allows for is a perfect fit. Of course, I'm also entirely comfortable around a digital workflow for those projects that simply couldn't be viably shot otherwise!
In my practice I bring together my enthusiasm for the macro and the micro of complex narratives as well as my eye for the purely aesthetic, and aim to produce work that is not only meaningful and valuable, but also beautiful and engaging, regardless of the end goal of the project being a personal or a commercial pursuit.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact
I'm always super happy to have a chat! For all enquiries, business-related or not, click through to my contact page below or follow me on my social media, linked in the banner, and drop me a line through there! I'll endeavour to get back in touch as promptly as possible!
Ready to make it official?
CV
Exhibitions, Publications, Awards, Competitions
Exemplary Home exhibition at Ko-op Sofia
July-August 2021
Ko-op, Sofia will be hosting my project, "Exemplary Home" in their space from the 22nd of July through to the 12th of August 2021. More information TBA soon.
BA Photography class of 2020 Catalogue
February 2021
My project, "Exemplary Home" was featured on the cover of, and within, the class of 2020 BA Photography catalogue by the University of Westminster
February 2021
Bulgaria's leading independent arts and culture publication, Виж! Magazine featured my practice and story in a four-page segment in their February edition
International Photography Awards 2020 - Winner 2nd Place
October 2020
My documentary project, Exemplary Home, won 2nd place in the Film/Other category of the prestigious International Photography Awards
26 October 2020
Participated in Photoscratch 2020 with my project, Exemplary Home
The FallMagazine – AW2020 (A Story of Colour)
April-October 2020
Independently conceptualised, shot developed and produced a12-page fashion/documentary editorial for The Fall Magazine’s first physicaledition.
Traia Photolab x Pinsharp Magazine exhibition
July-August 2020
"Exemplary Home" was selected to participate in Traia Photolab and Pinsharp Mag's virtual exhibition. I also gave an artist talk on the project, my practice and inspirations
Offspring PhotoMeet - The Rural
July 2020
"Exemplary Home" was published as a part of Offspring Photomeet and Northern Narratives' article, "The Rural"
Photograd 2020 Graduate Showcase
July 2020
My project, Exemplary Home, was featured in PhotoGrad's Graduate Photographer showcase.
Cherrydeck Featured Photographer
June 2020
Selected to be featured on the cover of the Cherrydeck website and social media accounts.
Source Magazine Graduate Photography Showcase
2020
My project, Exemplary Home, was featured in Source Magazine's Graduate Photographer showcase.
International Photography Awards
2020
Entered my project, Exemplary Home, into the competition under the Film/Analogue category.
Wide Angle Photography Contest - Oxford University Press
2020
Participated in the OUP - Wide Angle Photography contest, submitting work that looks at photography in a nontraditional and disruptive fashion.
LensCulture Portrait Awards
2019
Participated in the LensCulture Portrait Awards 2019, submitting my series - "Waiter, Creator, Bartender". Received brilliant feedback from a panel of judges, including major industry professionals, as well as an in-depth work review.
Sweetart Naughty and Nice Exhibition
2017
Participated in the SweetArt Naughty and Nice Exhibition at the Espacio Gallery with a single image, titled "Resilience".
125 Fund Recipient - University of Westminster
2017
Recipient of the maximum amount of funding via The 125 Fund.
Languages
- English (Proficient)
- French (Upper Intermediate)
- Bulgarian (Native)