We Are All Going to Die Someday: A Talk w/ Bogdan Lepadatu

Bogdan Lepadatu doesn’t photograph bodies. He photographs rituals. The kind that happen quietly, in the wilderness, stripped of spectacle but full of consequence. His images are not erotic. They’re confrontational. Stark compositions where flesh meets landscape, vulnerability meets dominance, and silence feels heavier than noise.

There’s no comfort in his frames, no sugarcoated sensuality, just a raw, magnetic honesty that leaves marks. What you see is not meant to soothe. It’s meant to stay with you, like a memory you’re not sure is yours. We spoke to Bogdan about control, decay, the absurdity of perfection, and why nothing speaks louder than the nude when it’s done without compromise.

Hi, Bogdan! When did you get your start in photography, and how did you grow interested in nude?

Hi, CVLTartes! Thanks for reaching out!

I’m among the few lucky ones, I guess, photography found me and not the other way around. It was while I had a ‘normal job’ that was slowly but surely killing me. During my first photography nude setting, I started seeing forms and shapes, compositions and lighting, some sort of results of the process before the actual process was ended, things that fascinated me and made me reflect on ‘where is this coming from and why am I so engaged?’.

How would you describe your style?

My photography is an experience. It’s a pursuit. It’s a challenge. It’s courageous and vulnerable in the same time. It’s an attempt to get as close as possible to the essence. The essence of what I am or what I want to be.

Can you tell us a bit more about the process of how your images are born?

I create because this is how I express myself. When I hold the camera, I observe. I feel. Inside and outside. And sometimes, when I’m lucky, I see the photo I’m about to take before I press the shutter button.

What makes a good picture, in your opinion? When are you satisfied with one of your photos?

A good picture is a mirror. It’s an invitation to observe the outside (of the self) and then the inside. A good picture makes you feel something, whatever that something is. And if the viewer feels nothing, tough shit!

Myself, I get three spikes on the ‘satisfaction chart’: the feeling before, when I’m about to capture it, when I press the shutter, and I know I have I,t and when I present it to the world.

If there was one thing you wanted your audience to take from your work, what would it be?

We are all going to die someday.

What are you currently fascinated by ,and how is it feeding into your work?

I’m fascinated by normal people with their normal problems.

Who would you say are some of the biggest influences on your work?

Old-school stand-up comedians, MMA, Bukowski, Christopher Hitchens, political correctness, feminism,

As you grow as a photographer, are you seeing your style and interests change?

I feel that, from a stylistic point of view, fine art nude in nature is my calling. I don’t see myself changing a lot right now. I also feel that as an artist who strives to grow, there’s a greater responsibility I have, the more I

There are many descriptions of the ideal state of mind for being creative. What is it like for you? What supports this ideal state of mind, and what are distractions? Are there strategies to enter this state more easily?

The only ‘ideal’ state of mind I see is being real, true to oneself. There’s no unique recipe. Creation is very subjective, and it should come from unaltered, uncensored, and unexplained emotions. ‘Don’t try,’ as Bukowski said.

if it doesn’t come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don’t do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don’t do it.

What kind of pictures would we find on the camera roll of your phone?

My dog, Cuba, my girlfriend, some shit selfies, and some nudes of me that I’m planning to sell when I become famous.

Where do you find yourself when you’re not taking photos?

In front of my computer, editing photos. Or planning new projects. Sometimes, in nature.

Guilty pleasure time. What would you say are some of your current most guilty pleasures? All is fair game, food, books, or video games, whatever floats your boat. Let us have it.

Wine. Conversations. Cuba libre. More conversations.

Looking to the future, what’s next for you?

Money, fame, drugs. All that is next to beautiful people listening to beautiful music.