„Backstage Burlesque“

Gregor  ·  The first sale after just a few days. Congratulations!

Zora  ·  Thank you! The buyers have great taste. It was a picture of the Japanese performer BonitaBonBon and Dorian Dietrich—featuring a very beautiful bum.

Gregor  ·  How did you get into burlesque?

Zora  ·  I trained as a dancer, expressive dance. But I didn't like the business. I came to Berlin in 2000, and in 2004 I met Sandra Steffl—the "mother" of the German burlesque scene. I then became "Miss Popalina," but at first only as a special appearance because... I was shy. Over the years, I became cheekier. Taking my clothes off is something I'm quite good at by now.

Gregor  ·  How did you get into photography?

Zora  ·  I’ve always been interested in photography. Then I was with a photographer, and I got a camera. I was backstage with my colleagues from "The Teaserettes," and we were having so much fun that I wanted to capture it. So I started taking pictures of my colleagues—I wanted to capture the atmosphere. That was at "Wild at Heart" in Kreuzberg, where we do a show about four times a year. That's how I started in 2014. Then in 2015, I shot a show at "Roadrunner's"—that's when things really took off. The feedback on my photos was great, and I felt motivated. So I focused entirely on photography. I started learning it properly and even got a scholarship for my training. Then I bought a new camera and started working professionally. I have backstage access—there is no other photographer who has this kind of access to the burlesque world. We know each other, I’m one of them, I have that advantage. And I specialize in portraits. People photography is my thing.

Gregor  ·  Do you do both now? The photos and the shows?

Zora  ·  Yes, though I’m behind the camera more and more often. But it also frequently happens—for example, in two months at the Bohemian Burlesque Festival in Prague—that I dance and photograph the stage shows. If it's a good show, I want to be part of it as a dancer too—even if it's stressful.

Gregor  ·  Who are the people in the pictures?

Zora  ·  I’ve taken about 3,000 pictures; I didn't know everyone before taking their photo. Just personalities from the burlesque scene, backstage. There are international performers I had never met before. And, of course, many friends and colleagues. My favorite pictures are the ones featuring my friends. For example, Eve Champagne, Erochica Bamboo, and many more... And of course Sandy Beach, her picture is on the cover of the book.

Gregor  ·  What are your plans for the future?

Zora  ·  The future is already mapped out. There will be a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, launching on Monday, October 7th. I want to produce a photo book with my 300 best pictures. In April, I’ll be in Hamburg at the Burlesque Festival, doing a solo exhibition at "Boutique Bizarre." And I’ll continue to accompany The Teaserettes at Wild at Heart, Sheila Wolf’s Vaudeville at the Wintergarten, and the Berlin Burlesque Festival by Marlene von Steenvag and Else Edelstahl.

Gregor  ·  So you're continuing to take pictures for this series...

Zora  ·  Of course! I always have my camera with me. At the end of October, I’ll be spending four days shooting at the Wintergarten. Just last weekend, I took photos at the Vaudeville Revue. There were huge stars there, like Dirty Martini and Raquel Reed. So there will be plenty more pictures to come!

Gregor  ·  What is it like for you to exhibit in a café?

Zora  ·  I love drinking good coffee, and I like seeing good art in restaurants. You can sweeten your life with cake and look at sexy pictures. It’s perfect.

Links  ·  instagram.com/zorajurenkovaphotography  ·  backstageburlesque.de  ·  teaserettes.de  ·  berlin-burlesque-festival.com  ·  wintergarten-berlin.de/show  ·  sandra-steffl.de  ·  roadrunners-paradise.de  ·  instagram.com/erochica_bamboo_/?hl=en  ·  instagram.com/bonita.bonbon