Julian Sojka was born in 1986 in Lodz, a city in Poland known for its rich history and culture. While attending high school, he initially pursued a career in architecture. However, he became interested in his father's camera operator profession, switching focus a year before graduation.
Julian developed a passion for photography during his three years at the esteemed Lodz Film School. His style is heavily influenced by the cultural shifts in Poland in the early 1990s and the rich heritage of Lodz. He pursued his love for visual storytelling by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography from the same institution. This educational experience enhanced his technical abilities and widened his understanding of the visual language, leading to his graduation in 2016.
Julian honed his craft throughout his academic years, learning to construct narratives through the lens. His photography encapsulated not just the visual elements but also the profound emotional nuances and human experiences, marking the beginning of his exploration into the power of visual storytelling.
Since 2006, Julian has been working as a photojournalist. He began his career at the local branch of "Gazeta Wyborcza," a national daily newspaper. He later worked with the "East News" agency. His photographs, which have captured significant events like Lech Kaczynski's funeral in 2010 and Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008, have been featured on well-known platforms such as Reuters and Agence VU.
Julian's work, demonstrating the essence of human experience, has been featured in publications such as NatGeo, Przekrój, Wprost, Polityka, Press, Duży Format, and many others in print and digitally. Despite the absence of awards, his commitment to his craft is evident.
In addition to his journalistic ambitions, Julian has participated in group exhibitions and photo album publications, showing his dedication and specific style.
His artistic journey has been profoundly influenced by a diverse range of creatives. He draws inspiration from the cinematic vision of Andrei Tarkovsky and Krzysztof Kieslowski, the cinematography of Roger Deakins, Witold Sobociński, and Jerzy Wójcik, as well as the romantic landscapes of William Turner and Claude Monet's impressionistic magic. In photography, the poignant work of Krzysztof Miller, James Nachtwey, Henri Cartier Bresson, and Andrzej Jałosiński has significantly shaped his style.
Combining his love for cinematography and photography, Julian tries to create convincing narratives that reflect his unique perspective, capturing the tales between the viewer and the world. With nearly two decades of experience, his work has been published on various print and digital platforms worldwide.
Julian Sojka continues to push his boundaries of visual storytelling. His journey from becoming a photographer to his days at the Lodz Film School has been marked by devotion, dedication, and relentless love for his craft. Unchangeable in his passion for visual storytelling, Julian continues to engage in narratives that resonate with the human experience, maintaining his ongoing conversation with the world.