IE: Tell us a little about yourself, you were telling me you grew up in Poland and moved to the UK in your teens?

Aga: I was born in a small town near the industrial city of Lodz. I was a pretty rebellious kid, activist, and always involved in some sort of arts. Ever since I can remember I had this need to stand out of the crowd, which wasn’t difficult to achieve in such a small town but at the same time it wasn’t easy for my family to understand. I guess I was the “black sheep” in their eyes which caused me a lot of troubles but never stopped me from doing anything I wanted, the way I wanted. In my home there wasn’t such a thing as pocket money. I was working since I was a little kid… then at the age of 10, maybe 11 I discovered piercing… in my later teens I learned how to do it properly and it became my only way I could afford tickets to the gigs or anything else. I was pretty much broke most of the time but it didn’t stop me from travelling. I hitchhiked all over Poland. I was always very curious and couldn’t stand being too long in one place… I started to suffocate in my own town and just waited for the opportunity to come to get myself out of there. I was singing in a couple of bands. First – a ska punk band but it died before it was even born and with the other band (a hardcore punk band) we only managed to play one show and broke up after our drummer, Adam decided to move to England. A few months later, after I graduated high school I got a phone call from him (which I’ll always be grateful for) inviting me over. I borrowed money for a one way ticket, packed my bags and on October 21ST 2005, a month before my 19TH birthday, after a 24 hour bus journey, I arrived in Northampton, UK.

IE: Can you remember how old you were when you went to your first show and do you remember who the bands were?

Aga: I was 13 years old. It was a local crust/punk show with Lost (ex-Homomilitia) and Disable.

IE: What are some of the things that drew you into hardcore when you were first discovering it?

Aga: The honesty and straight forwardness. The DIY movement behind it. The willingness of making a change and standing up for our rights. It felt like a “herd” of black sheeps united together in a fight against injustice and cruelty. The more I was discovering it the more I got myself into it. Listening to music and going to shows was never enough for me. I was “politically” involved. Amnesty International, animal rights, illegal protests, zines… In the hardcore punk scene I was surrounded by people who cared …and that’s what I loved about it the most.

IE: Another thing you were mentioning to me was that when you were younger you would make vegetarian meals for bands at shows. What brought that about?

Aga: Well, I did that only once by myself and actually it was for the first show that I ever went to. My friends were organizing it and I just wanted to help out. The hospitality at Polish shows was and I hope still is pretty incredible… organizers would always look after the bands making sure they have warm food and a place to stay.

IE: How long after starting to go to shows did you start thinking about taking photos of the bands?

Aga: My interest in photography started after my first experience with an old Zenith borrowed from a friend for a couple of weeks when I just entered high school. Back then I never had my own camera and couldn’t afford one… so answering your question, it wasn’t until about 6 years after, when I received a small compact Canon from my good friend Jarek for my 19TH birthday… That’s when the story began. I truly believe he “saved my life” with this gift…On top of everything else I had going on in Poland my biggest passion ever since I was 7 years old was theatre. Long before I even heard the word “punk” or “hardcore”. It was an escape for me from all the shit that was going on around. I felt safe there, stage was my 2ND home. The only home I was missing when I moved here. My move to the UK was a bit like a jump into deep waters. Overnight I became this young, completely independent and responsible for myself adult. I woke up being a stranger in this foreign country, speaking very basic English and had no money. I had to worry about bills, taxes, work, home… Everything I loved I left behind and without the possibility of continuing my passion in theatre I started to feel overwhelmed and more and more miserable. Photography came just in time and it filled the hole in my heart and I quickly fell in love with it.

IE: When you were first starting out was it ever intimidating being that you are taking pictures right up in the front while there are people often stage diving and slam dancing right near you while you are focused on the band?

Aga: It actually wasn’t. Not long before that I was stage diving and moshing myself so I knew exactly what to expect and what I was getting myself into. Maybe at first I was a bit shy, because in most of the cases I was the only photographer at the shows… but that’s all.

IE: Have you ever been injured at a show while taking photos?

Aga: I have been kicked and punched many times. I was knocked down by stage divers and hit my head on the ground pretty hard too, but the weirdest thing happened at the Cold World gig in Brighton earlier this year. It was a small venue and fully packed. I squeezed myself onto the stage with my camera and the speaker column was right behind me. The crowd went nuts, stage dives nonstop. I was very excited about getting some cool shots… a few songs played and suddenly something fell down on my head. I had to look what it was and couldn’t believe it when I realized those were 2 cymbals!!! Someone left them on the column!! (??!!)  At the time I thought “I guess I’m pretty lucky to be alive” and just continued to take pics but a few moments later I found myself covered in blood. The paramedics were called in but it looked more serious than it really was. I had a few cuts but in the end I didn’t even need stitches. I was pretty angry though that I couldn’t watch the gig till the end.

IE: Would you say being a girl doing what you do is more of a plus or more of a minus or doesn’t make a difference?

Aga: Hmm… I think it helps a little. Sometimes some strangers would follow me everywhere I go, just to stand next to me and protect me. I can feel that people are looking out for me especially at London shows and especially the Rucktion Records ones. It feels like I’m surrounded by “older brothers”. Some of them I never even talked with but I love these people. All that is extremely sweet and it makes me feel pretty special, but I’m not as vulnerable as I might look. I can look after myself. What I really want is for people to have fun and go nuts! From time to time there are some young, angry individuals who purposely would slam into me...not sure what’s that all about but I’m hard as nails so they might as well die trying to knock me down! 

IE: So when you started out with the idea for the calendar I am sure you had a few photos that you had in your head that you knew you would use. What happens next? What is the process and what steps did you have to take to actually get your idea moving forward?

Aga: You’re right, by summer I already had half of the photos chosen in my head… but then I lost most of them when my hard drive crashed before I managed to back up my files. I still had plenty to choose from but a few days before the design handover deadline I decided that I couldn’t do it without having Candace (Walls Of Jericho) in it. So I drove all the way to Köln to a WOJ gig just for this ONE photo I’d use in my calendar. When it comes to the whole process I was very lucky to have my two amazing friends - Agnieszka and Kuba helping me out with the layout and more technical and organizational side of it, like finding a printing company, couriers etc… You need to know that I’m a perfectionist and I pay a lot of attention to details. I guess I can be a little bit picky too. I was giving them a hard time but they are the most patient and professional people I know. Couldn’t have done it without them!

IE: You mentioned that this is a total DIY effort on your part. What is your goal with putting it out?

Aga: I know that hardcore calendars aren’t very common and even if they sell well, with such a small volume we won’t be able to make a business out of it which is fine because it was always about personal satisfaction rather than anything else. It would be great to cover the costs of printing at least. I put a lot of pressure on the quality because whether it goes well or not I’ll continue to do that every year and I want to make a good first impression so everyone will know they can expect the best from me. I want people to pick up IN HER EYES 2013 and feel that this is the best calendar they ever had and their hard earned money was well spent. I want them to put it on the wall and enjoy it throughout the year. If they come back to pick up a new edition year after year it will be a huge success and it will mean a lot.

IE: What kind of camera equipment did you start off with in the beginning and what kind of equipment do you use now? Feel free to get NERDY for the camera folks out there.

Aga: I started with a small point-and-shoot camera. The year after I got a Canon 400d with a kit 17-55 lens. Then I invested in 50d, bought Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens and Tokina 107. Tokina is more of a toy lens and I don’t really use it anymore especially since I finally got myself professional equipment: Canon 5d MkII with the best “festival” lens there is 70-200mm 2.8 IS and amazing and very versatile 24-70mm 2.8.

(EDITORS NOTE: I have NO idea what any of that means)

IE: What bands that you have not shot yet would you like to check off your list?

Aga: Earth Crisis, Cro-Mags, Social Distortion, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Hazen Street, Wisdom In Chains and many, many more… I think OLC would be interesting to shoot too. I’d love to have another chance with Gorilla Biscuits. I saw them at Groezrock earlier this year. It was the first time I witnessed people stage diving before the music even started playing! Without the stage pass which I didn’t have unfortunately it was impossible to take any photos – the show was amazing though and I have some really great memories.

IE: What are some other things besides bands that you like to shoot?

Aga: I like documentary photos, street photography and people, especially when they least expect it. Lately I have a thing about shooting hands… Tattoo Conventions are fun too, but live music photography will always be #1 for its unpredictability, energy and emotion. 

IE: What about future plans for your photography?

Aga: I dream about a few documentary projects that involve a lot of travelling. One of them may be not too original and it’s a little bit music related - American Road trip. I’d love to get myself to South America too. I won’t share too many details because I know I’ll make them happen one day and I want to keep the element of surprise.

IE: What about the music that you like to listen to? What are some of your favourite bands?

Aga: There’s many… the most important band for me is Judge and I can listen to their discography for months almost nonstop. I love Gorilla Biscuits, H2O, AF, SOIA, First Blood, Bouncing Souls, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Wisdom In Chains… Lately I have been listening a lot to Dodging Bullets and Social Distortion. I also really like Cult Of Luna, Neurosis sometimes have a day for Scholastic Deth or One Life Crew. I love 7 Seconds for the road and Rancid, Knuckledust, Risk It, Rise Against… there’s too many bands to mention.

IE: Besides punk, hardcore and tattoos what other things do you like to do with your free time?

Aga: Is there anything there besides punk, hardcore, tattoos and photography?? Haha.
Seriously… having two jobs, taking photos at shows, working on some personal projects helping out my friend with his zine – “No Control” and travelling as much as I can… there’s not that much of free time left. I’m training in Muay Thai whenever possible and I also completed a beginners pole dancing course, but because of my travelling I had to put this one on hold for a bit.

IE: What about regular work? What is your occupation?

Aga: I wish I could say here that I can make a living only with photography, but it’s not possible for me just yet. For the last 7 years I’ve been working for a global clothing company as a quality inspector.

IE: As far as photography goes is there someone that you look up to and get inspired by?

Aga: Before I even started shooting shows one of the first photographers whose work I totally admired was Cindy Frey. She was a huge inspiration and back then I wouldn’t even dream that one day she would “like” my Facebook page and leave me a comment “great work” on the wall. It almost brought tears to my eyes when it happened not long ago. Nowadays when it comes to music photography I get mostly inspired by the people and bands that I’m shooting. They keep me motivated.

IE: If there is someone reading this that may just be getting their start with taking photos at shows what kind of advice would you offer them?

Aga: First of all, watch out and try not to get killed. Second of all, never give up. You will be turned down many times. When people tell you that your work is not good enough – ignore them and keep shooting. If you feel that your work is not good enough – keep shooting. Over the years of my photography adventure the shots that I’m proud of can be counted on the fingers of one hand. I’m very critical of my own work, and I’m never satisfied. I just believe there’s always room for improvement! Determination is the key in this world. Oh and one more thing… put your heart in it and HAVE FUN!!

IE: What is the greatest “high” for you with taking photos, what makes you the most satisfied within the photography world?

Aga: In the tattoo related world, I love hanging out with my ever expanding “tattoo family” and work at the best international conventions there are for some of the best magazines in the industry. It’s always amazing to see my work in print, published around the world. Whether it is in a book, sold globally or in a small zine somewhere in Germany or Poland. When it comes to music photography… being there at the show, in the middle of the action, not only documenting it but also being part of it is my “high”. I love the adrenaline rush of getting into that moshpit with my camera. It's highly addictive and thats what makes me feel alive! My contribution to the hardcore scene was never about financial gain (never made a “penny” on any of my hardcore live music photos) it was always about passion. It makes me feel extremely happy and proud when my work ends up on a Knuckledust, First Blood or Dead Mans Chest shirt or when I hear from Jack from Slapshot tell me  that I took one of the best “bleeding” pictures of him or even when people relive the shows in comments below the pics on my Facebook page… or someone like you who is interested in my work and find it somehow useful. Every smallest act of kindness and appreciation makes the sweat, heart and time that I put into this all worth it!

IE: That’s all I got Aga… anything else you wanted to add before we end?

Aga: Thank you ever so much for all your support and interest, it means a lot and it’s such an honor to talk with you. You’re doing an amazing job with In Effect Hardcore, keep it up!