Interview with Photographer Ali Lukiyanto (Lukimages)
Written by Judy Lien

Ali Lukiyanto (Lukimages) has the ability to capture a sense of hidden mystery in his works, which has elevated him to the status as one of Indonesia’s noted photographers. With editorials in Elle International and Harper’s Bazaar as well as ads for LG and Bulgari, Lukimages is a rising star in the arena of fashion and beauty photographers. With a chemical engineering background, Lukimages graduated from photography school in Milan 3 years ago. This seemingly contradiction has merged into mastering photographic techniques as well as capturing the organic aspect of photography. Photography was a calling for him. Having only taking photos seriously about 7 years ago, a meteoric rise to become a sought after photographer is an achievement few accomplished. All of this was started by a pocket camera given as a birthday present in 2006. He was just shooting photos for fun. “In many ways I'm in love with images.”

ASTONISH: Your photos are amazing! They reflect a variety of approaches to your subject. However, there's a consistent theme to all your work. How
would you describe your work? Is there a distinct "Lukimages" style?

LUKI: I always love to capture models in the character my team creates in the fashion story. Through styling, makeup, lighting, etc., we build the personality of the model. Usually they have cold feeling, untouchable, complicated and depressive.

ASTONISH: Is there someone who greatly influences your work? And the reasons why?

LUKI: There are many people who influence my work, but Serge Lutens is the most powerful one. He is amazing in many ways, a multi-talented person, artsy and his works inspire me, challenge my imagination to create many things.

ASTONISH: Which famous person do you want to shoot as your subject and why?

LUKI: That person will be Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Her beauty is amazing.

ASTONISH:. I see that you have a chemical engineering background yet studied in Milan. What was the turning point that made you want to pursue photography instead?

LUKI: It started when I received my birthday present in 2006, a pocket camera in which I started taking pictures. In many ways I'm in love with images. I did not even know about technique, but people [were already] asking me on doing fashion editorials. On the first fashion editorial I did, I took a one week course using a professional camera. That was the beginning of my career.

ASTONISH: What is one of the craziest things that have happen during one of your photo sessions?

LUKI: I remember taking pictures for an editorial in under one hour. The location was outdoors at an aero plane hangar. The model is a famous actor who needed to catch his flight to the airport. He was almost late. We shoot a total of nine outfit. So much panic!

For more of Lukimages, visit his website: lukimages.com