As part of a series celebrating International Women's Week, I had the pleasure of interviewing `peskaa.

Can you tell me a bit about how you first became involved in photography?

I messed up my A Levels (exams you take when you are 17-18 in the UK), and so repeated year 12 and took photography as one of my options. I was interested in it anyway because of what I had seen on deviantART already. So it was the perfect excuse to get more involved.



What do you think are the biggest issues for women in the world today?

Juggling career and home responsibilities, pay inequality. Women are still paid less than men are, on average around 82p for every £1 a man is paid. For me this is a big thing because I have experienced this first hand.



Can you tell me a bit about the background to your 2 favourite deviations from your own gallery?



My grandma, she’s my hero. I had gone around to visit (and drink her tea), we were laughing about something and I took the photo. She’s the best model.



Again, spontaneous. We were just messing around and having a laugh. I love watching people laugh, it’s like you get to see their soul. I did get told off for taking it though.

If you could photograph any event in history, what would it be ( past or future!)

V-E day in London on the 8th May 1945, it would have been incredible.



Can you tell me of any other women on deviantART who you find inspiring?

I couldn’t possibly name names, but there are a fair few women who I find incredibly inspirational. Whether it be with their art, their life, or just who they are. deviantART is home to diverse and inspiring set of women.



What about outside deviantART, who do you think are good examples of role models for today's young women?

Kylie Minogue, for overcoming great adversity and bouncing back with great success. Also, Kate Winslet because she isn’t afraid to be herself, does not conform to society’s opinion of what a woman should look like.

How do you think deviantART has benefited you as an artist?

If it wasn’t for deviantART I wouldn’t be applying to do a photography degree. I owe deviantART a hell of a lot.



What advice would you give someone thinking about taking up photography?

Don’t be afraid to approach people, and it’s not the camera that makes the photo, but the person behind it.



Do you have a message that you'd leave for the future generations of women?

Believe that you can be whatever you want to be.

Thanks for taking time to participate!

You can find other wonderful women who have been interviewed in this series here.